[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.