DeLay: America Must Join, Win New "Space Race"

DeLay: America Must Join, Win New "Space Race"
Proposes Hearings to Examine "Sputnik" Moment

Washington, Mar 30 - Congressman Tom DeLay (R-Texas) today called on the United States to recognize, join, and win the 21st century space race initiated by the aerospace technological advances of foreign nations, especially the People's Republic of China.

"The advanced state of the Chinese space program represents a 21st century Sputnik moment," DeLay said. "The new space race has already begun, and our only choice is to ensure the full funding of our space program to win it."

DeLay's comments came after a hearing this morning of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Science, State, Justice, and Commerce, featuring the testimony of NASA Administrator Mike Griffin. During the hearing, Subcommittee Chairman Frank Wolf (R-Va.) endorsed DeLay's request to hold a special oversight hearing on NASA's human space program relative to those of our foreign aerospace competitors.

"The upcoming hearing will provide Congress and NASA an opportunity to plot our course to win the 21st century's space race."

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