[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11794]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    LETTER TO DR. MICHAEL D. GRIFFIN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 7, 2005

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, on May 26, 2005, I sent the following 
letter to Dr. Michael D. Griffin, Administrator National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration (NASA):

                                     House of Representatives,

                                                     May 26, 2005.
     Dr. Michael D. Griffin,
     Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Dr. Griffin: NASA is able to develop long term, high-
     risk enabling aeronautics technologies that the private 
     sector is unwilling to develop because they are too risky or 
     too expensive. In fact, government funding of basic science 
     has historically been the major role of government-sponsored 
     research in aeronautics as well as the pharmaceutical, 
     defense, and energy industries. When that basic research 
     yields information that could lead to a service or product 
     with profit potential, the private sector transitions the 
     technology from research to development in order to bring it 
     to market.
       It is clear that where there is no basic research, there 
     can be no development. Where there is no research and 
     development, there can be no competitive industry. Without a 
     thriving competitive aeronautics industry, we undermine our 
     economy, national security, and airline safety.
       Any management decisions that significantly erode NASA's 
     aeronautics programs will require decades and billions of 
     dollars to replace. We urge you to take all possible steps to 
     preserve a robust aeronautics program at NASA.
           Sincerely,
                                               Dennis J. Kucinich,
                                               Member of Congress.

     

                          ____________________