Date: 2011-02-15
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I rise to support the amendment that Mr. OLSON has offered. and I am delighted that we have the opportunity to work together collaboratively with the chairman and with Mr. DICKS on this very important issue. I would like to say publicly that Democrats and Republicans in the State of Texas have worked enthusiastically together on supporting NASA and human space exploration. Im sorry that I will not have the opportunity to support Mr. OLSONs amendment or vote for it. He is absolutely right. human space flight is conducted in exactly one agency. NASA. and the general Houston area and Texas are impacted enormously. We have already lost 4.000 jobs. There will be a decrease of $1 billion going to NASA Johnson. That will impact the transition. if you will. in human space exploration. One very well known member of our community. Captain Mark Kelly. the husband of our dear and beloved Member. Congresswoman GIFFORDS. will have the opportunity to be on one of the final shuttles. But what most of us are not aware of. because our memory fades. is how much we gained from human space exploration. Research in HIV/AIDS and stroke and heart disease and weather research. all improving the quality of life for Americans. So I stand solemnly behind continuing to fund human space exploration and join Mr. OLSON in the leadership that he has given. This is a tight budget. but the President talked about investing in competitiveness. creating jobs. NASA creates jobs. It creates jobs for small businesses. It creates jobs for large contractors. It creates thousands upon thousands of jobs. So I hope in this instance that we can speak in a bipartisan manner to speak to the administration on the value of continuing to support NASA. It is difficult when we have a CR that. in fact. is cutting millions from the NASA budget. and I would hope that there would be a recognition that it is important to put $517 million back into NASA. as was offered by this amendment. I cant imagine a Nation without the ability for young people to aspire to the heights of those who have gone on before. those who have been astronauts. those who have explored the skies. those who have done enormously important research on the various trips that have been taken that have provided the research and as well the space station which has been an enormous asset that has brought international partners together and helped develop science that could not be developed before. Having traveled to most of the centers that are under the NASA administration. each and every one that I have been to has had the quality of staff that have been doing their job in the name of progress for the American people. So Im disappointed with this CR that has caused these enormous cuts. and I would hope that we have the opportunity to restore them. Where are we if we quash the genius of America? Where are we if we extinguish the dreams of young students and scientists around America? Where are we if we quash the jobs that can be created by science? NASA is an asset and a jewel. And I hope together in this Congress. and of course working together with the administration. we can realize it once and for all. Why we have to battle so hard for something that has done so much for the American people baffles me. I look forward to the reinvestment in science and competitiveness. I thank the gentleman for his leadership. and I hope well be able to work in a bipartisan manner. I yield back the balance of my time.