[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 148 (Monday, November 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2010

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                               speech of

                             HON. DAVID WU

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, it is with regret that I must rise in opposition 
to the NASA reauthorization bill we have before us today. The space 
program plays a critical role in driving innovation as well as 
inspiring our nation's young people to strive for careers in science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics. Unfortunately, the bill 
before us today places these vital missions in jeopardy.
  I strongly oppose the cancellation of the human spaceflight program. 
The Senate's bill, which was drafted without any House input, places 
too much faith in the private sector to deliver astronauts and cargo to 
space. By contrast, the bill approved by the House Science and 
Technology Committee ensured that there would continue to be a publicly 
owned human spaceflight capability developed following the retirement 
of the space shuttle. There are untold advancements in health care, 
energy, and environmental preservation to be gained from ongoing human 
research in space.
  I am also concerned that the Senate's bill does not include language 
ensuring that retired space shuttles will be allocated fairly to 
museums and educational institutions across the country. The space 
program is a national treasure, supported with the tax dollars of each 
and every American. As such, I believe geographic diversity should be a 
consideration in the allocation of retired shuttles, so I offered an 
amendment that was adopted in committee to ensure it would be. 
Unfortunately, the bill before us today includes no such protections, 
giving unfair preference to some regions while leaving much of the rest 
of the country effectively out of the running.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing S. 3729.

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