Commitment to Excellence

Cernan House Testimony 2010

With the submission of FY2011 budget, The Administration and the originators of this proposal were either misinformed or showing extreme naivete, or I can only conclude, are willing to take accountability for a calculated plan to dismantle America's leadership in the world of Human Space Exploration resulting in NASA becoming nothing more than a research facility. In either case, I believe this proposal is a travesty which flows against the grain of over 200 years of our history and, today, against the will of the majority of Americans.  
America's human space flight program has for a half century risen above partisan differences from Eisenhower to Kennedy to the present day. The challenges and accomplishments of the past were those of a nation – never of a political party or of any individual agenda. Those flags that fly on the moon today are neither blue flags nor are they red flags – they are American Flags. We are at a cross road. If we abdicate our leadership in space today, not only is human spaceflight and space exploration at risk, but I believe the future of this country and thus the future of our children and grandchildren as well. Now is the time for wiser heads in the Congress
of the United States to prevail. Now is the time to overrule this Administration's
pledge to mediocrity. Now is the time to be bold, innovative and wise in how we
invest in the future of America. Now is the time to re-establish our nation's commitment to excellence.

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