On the recordMarch 9, 2010
Just a few minutes ago, Mr. Speaker, I stood on the floor of the House to introduce H. Res. 1150, which addresses the National Aeronautic and Space Administration as a national security asset and interest. I served for 12 years on the Science Committee and as a member of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee. I visited almost every NASA center around the country. I have visited our science laboratories. I am very engaged with the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Program, to help educate America's children to ensure that we remain at the cutting edge of science and technology and inventiveness, and as well to be able to build jobs for the 21st century. We are in that century now. I have interacted with NASA and many of the astronauts over the years, watching them as they have launched into space, experiencing the tragedies of Challenger and Columbia, the loss of life of those brave souls who were willing to risk their lives to explore on behalf of the American people. I want to work with the administration, because I believe they are knowledgeable about the value of human spaceflight. However, the approach to commercialize this important national security interest is not appropriate for now.
