Support Aeronautics Research
Kucinich gave the following speech in Congress on November 9, 2005:
Speaking in support of the Conference Report on H.R. 2862, Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006, Congressman Kucinich said:
"I want to begin by saying that I think that our ranking member, David Obey, has stated well the concerns that many of us have with respect to some provisions of the bill that would, in this case, cut legal services to the poor; and the stripping of the Sanders amendment was certainly a problem because that amendment would have prevented the search of library reading records by PATRIOT Act law enforcement. So I understand the concerns that have been expressed.
"On balance, though, I rise in support of the bill, and I am going to tell the Members why: because I think that there is an element in this bill that is so important for this country because it affirms the notion that the first 'A' in NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 'aeronautics,' is critical to the agency's success. And in that connection I want to thank Chairman Wolf and I want to thank Ranking Member Mollohan for their hard work and their support to that end.
"We have been working for the better part of this year to make certain that aeronautics was recognized as being critical; and without the help of the entire Ohio delegation on both sides of the aisle, without the help of Chairman Wolf, without the help of Ranking Member Mollohan, we would not be here at this exact moment pointing out that this bill represents a victory for aeronautics.
"Aeronautics research and development has drastically improved our national security, our air safety, our economy, and our environment. NASA's field centers, such as the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, are where the actual basic research is done. There we will find unique research facilities, some of the best scientists and engineers of our time, and a track record of discovery for the public good that is the envy of the world.
"One of the secrets to NASA's success has been its dual emphasis on both space and aeronautics. A successful space program is heavily dependent on a strong aeronautics program. Indeed, we cannot get to space without first navigating the atmosphere, and yet the budget for fiscal year 2006 attempted to drastically cut funding for aeronautics research. Recovery from that devastating loss would have taken decades and billions of dollars.
"That is why I am so grateful to the chairman and to the ranking member and all of my colleagues for the work that they have put into the bill and showing that the members of the subcommittee share the deep affinity that I have and that others have in appreciation for a healthy, balanced National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This recognizes that a healthy NASA requires strong field research centers like NASA Glenn. Strong field centers, in turn, are dependent on their physical facilities and, more importantly, their talented workforce.
"The bill protects the jobs and facilities from cuts that are driven by what accountants want instead of scientific need and instead of engineering know-how. This bill stands in defense of aeronautics, and it is a nod to the crucial role that aeronautics plays in so many facets of our daily life."
[Ed. note: The Conference Report on H.R. 2862 was agreed to by recorded vote: 397 - 19 (Roll No. 581).]
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