[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 24 (Monday, June 21, 1993)]
[Page 1096]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 signal 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.