Nick Lampson: “I intended to speak on my opposition to the Rohrabacher-Roemer amendment. This amendment was promoted to the members of…”

“I intended to speak on my opposition to the Rohrabacher-Roemer amendment. This amendment was promoted to the members of this body in a letter headlined ``If You Won't Kill It, Chill It.'' What the sponsors of this amendment fail to remember is that earlier in this session, we had a referendum on the international space station. It was proposed by my good friend from Indiana. His amendment to kill the space station was soundly rejected. This body has made a commitment to the space station. We have done so, I believe, because we realize the space station is the next step for scientific and technological discoveries. While we debate this issue on the floor of the House today, the Pathfinder is sending us new and valuable information about Mars. I am sure we all agree the Pathfinder has been a complete success so far. America's fascination with space has been rekindled. Internet sites that posted pictures from the mission have been overwhelmed by people who wanted to see them. That fascination encourages students to work harder and scientists to be daring in finding the solutions that have eluded mankind here on Earth. And while we debate this issue on the floor of the House today, the Space Shuttle Columbia orbits the Earth on a 16-day scientific mission. Space is the future of research and development of new technologies.”