    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 25 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
    [Pages 1088-1089]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Statement on the Report of the Commission on Implementation of United
    States Space Exploration Policy

    June 16, 2004

        I am pleased that Chairman Pete Aldridge and the members of the
    Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy
    have developed recommendations supporting the vision for America's space
    program. I appreciate their hard work and service.
        The Commission's report makes clear that this vision, which I
    announced in January, is a sustainable and affordable long-term human
    and robotic program to explore space. We will explore space to improve
    our lives and lift our national spirit. Space exploration is also likely
    to produce scientific discoveries in fields from biology to physics and
    to advance aerospace and a host of other industries. This will help
    create more highly skilled jobs, inspire students and teachers in math
    and science, and ensure that we continue to benefit from space
    technology, which has already brought us important improvements in areas
    as diverse as hurricane forecasting, satellite communications, and
    medical devices.
        The Commission worked diligently to collect ideas from a variety of
    voices from across the country and to develop innovative
    recommendations. The Commission's recommendations will be reviewed and
    considered, and NASA will accelerate the transformation it has begun. I
    am confident that the Commission's report will help Congress, NASA,
    other Government agencies, the private sector, the international
    community, and

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    the American public to work together to undertake the next steps in our
    journey into space for the benefit of generations to come.