    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [June 16, 1993]
    [Pages 864-865]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Representative William H. Natcher on the Superconducting Super
    Collider
    June 16, 1993

    Dear Mr. Chairman:
        As your Committee considers the Energy and Water Appropriations Act
    for Fiscal Year 1994, I want you to know of my continuing support for
    the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC).
        The most important benefits of the increased understanding gained
    from the SSC may not be known for a generation. We can, however, be
    certain that important benefits will result simply from making the
    effort. The SSC project will stimulate technologies in many areas
    critical for the health of the U.S. economy. The superconductor
    technologies developed for the project's magnets will stimulate
    production of a material that will be critical for ensuring the
    competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers, for improving medical care, and a
    variety of other purposes. The SSC will also produce critical employment
    and educational opportunities for thousands of young engineers and
    scientists around the country.
        Abandoning the SSC at this point would sig-

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    nal that the United States is compromising its position of leadership in
    basic science--a position unquestioned for generations. These are tough
    economic times, yet our Administration supports this project as a part
    of its broad investment package in science and technology. Our support
    requires making sure that the project is well managed and that the
    Congress is informed of the full costs and anticipated benefits of the
    program. The SSC previously had an unstable funding profile. The
    stretched-out funding proposed by our Administration of $640 million in
    FY 94 will allow better control of project costs. The full cost and
    scheduling implications of this stretch-out will be complete in the
    early fall, and will be examined carefully by the Administration at that
    time.
        I ask you to support this important and challenging effort.
        Sincerely,

                                                                Bill Clinton

    Note: This letter was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary but was not issued as a White House press release.