Hearing: the Space Leadership Preservation Act: Statement by Rep. Lamar Smith

Statement of Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) Hearing on a Review of the Space Leadership Preservation Act

Chairman Smith: Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this hearing today, the Space Subcommittee’s first of the 113th Congress.

The work you, Ranking Member Edwards, and the members of this subcommittee will do will have a lasting impact and ensure our nation’s continued leadership in spaceflight.

Every time we convene in this room, the phrase, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” should guide us, for those words from Proverbs are forever true.

Today, a question exists about NASA’s vision, namely, whether there is one. But we must also recognize that even a vision, without a means to achieve it, can be fruitless and frustrating. So today I would like to thank two of our colleagues who, in introducing the “Space Leadership Act,” continue to show leadership on behalf of our nation’s space program.

My colleague from Texas, Congressman John Culberson, has been an advocate for exploration for many years. I look forward to working with him to see that many of the missions and priorities we share are accomplished.

And a long time friend, Rep. Frank Wolf, holds a key position as Chairman of the Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee on the House Appropriations Committee. Our working together will be critical to put NASA on the right track for long term success.

They come here today to offer suggestions and solutions to many of the challenges that NASA faces. We welcome their thoughts and this discussion.

NASA too often is hampered by short term decisions that have a long term negative impact. We must step back, look at the Agency as a whole, and work to put it on the long term path to achieve worthy and inspirational goals on behalf of our nation.

I hope our work in this Congress will help clarify a vision we all can agree upon and work toward to inspire future generations.