[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 140 (Thursday, October 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2419-E2420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RIPPLE EFFECT MAKES FUND FOR NASA A WISE DECISION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 30, 2009

  Mr. OLSON. Madam Speaker, I would like to submit the following column 
which appeared in the Houston Chronicle on September 17, 2009 from the 
Bay Area Houston Partnership.

              [From the Houston Chronicle, Sept. 17, 2009]

           Ripple Effect Makes Fund for NASA a Wise Decision

                           (By Bob Mitchell)

       The highly anticipated report from the Augustine Committee 
     has been released. The panel is to be commended on writing 
     such a thorough review of U.S. human space flight options in 
     a short period of time. The report identified various 
     alternatives for NASA's human space flight program. While 
     each offers a varying degree of human space flight options, 
     they all rely on humans as an integral part of space 
     exploration. Why is this significant for the Johnson Space 
     Center and its many contractors? We are home to human space 
     flight.
       Within the next few months, decisions will be made by the 
     White House and Congress on which alternative is best for the 
     future of NASA. Regardless of the decisions made, if adequate 
     funding is not provided, we will continue to see erosion in 
     the U.S. space program, and it won't be long before we 
     relinquish our position as the world's number one space-
     faring country to a more ambitious and forward-looking 
     nation.
       The alternatives present unparalleled opportunities for the 
     United States to continue to expand its leadership role in 
     the international space community. The International Space 
     Station is an excellent example of how much can be 
     accomplished when multinational resources are engaged toward 
     a common goal. We, as a nation, can choose to continue our 
     investment in scientific discovery and international 
     relations or we can choose to lose our leadership position to 
     Russia, China, India or Japan. Insufficient funding for the 
     world's premier space program will undoubtedly erode our 
     leadership role with significant consequences for our 
     security and our competitive position in the world. With our 
     loss of leadership in other high-tech industries, do we want 
     to give up this one as well? Do we want to have to buy our 
     rides to space from a foreign government? This should be 
     unacceptable to us as a nation.
       What will it take to keep America first in flight? The 
     Augustine report states, ``Meaningful human exploration is 
     possible under a less constrained budget, ramping to 
     approximately $3 billion per year above the FY 2010 guidance 
     in total resources.'' Compared to recent government 
     expenditures, this is not that much to invest, especially 
     considering the return to the American taxpayers on this 
     investment. According to a recent congressional oversight 
     report, we have spent $74 billion to help the nation's auto 
     industry, an industry that has relied on the technology 
     developed in space to enhance its product. Investing the same 
     amount in NASA would ensure America's pre-eminent position in 
     human space flight for the next 25 years.
       Why do this? Why fund NASA to the tune of an additional $3 
     billion or more per year? Go beyond the obvious and consider 
     the ripple effect. Arguably, perhaps, the space industry is 
     the only industry in the world that consistently creates new 
     technology. Our cars and trucks are lighter, stronger and 
     safer due to NASA technology. Computers, cell phones, GPS and 
     many life-saving medical advancements all have roots in the 
     space industry.
       The human factor is equally important. Generations of our 
     young people have been inspired by NASA. The promise of 
     working in America's space program has, for the past 50 
     years, influenced students to go into science, technology, 
     engineering and math careers. For example, 35 percent of the 
     Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle program is composed of young 
     professionals.
       Consider this. We will have a seven-year gap where no 
     Americans are launched into space on American rockets. At no 
     time in our history of space flight have we experienced a gap 
     of this magnitude. Think for a moment of the loss of 
     inspiration to millions of our young people that can never be 
     recovered. Think of the lost opportunities to the U.S. in 
     terms of high-technology innovations and breakthroughs that 
     will not occur when students choose non-technical careers. Do 
     we break our promises to our nation's children and young 
     professionals by opting to take the easy route and not 
     provide much-needed funding to NASA's human space flight 
     program? This, too, should be unacceptable to us as a nation.
       The U.S. is unquestionably the world's leader in space 
     exploration, something that can no longer be said about many 
     industries we led at one time. The question remains,

[[Page E2420]]

     are we willing to give this up for the lack of a very 
     reasonable investment?
       Congress and the president are faced with tough choices. 
     Fully supporting human space flight, on the other hand, 
     should be an easy choice. By making the choice to provide the 
     additional funding necessary for a robust U.S. space 
     exploration program, government and private industry jobs 
     will be retained and created, international relationships 
     will be secured and strengthened with America leading the 
     way, and our youth will continue to dream of exploring the 
     universe, taking those steps necessary to do so. Not only is 
     this the most reasonable course of action, it's the right 
     thing to do--for America and for the world.

                          ____________________