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[i]Dear Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer: This morning you announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009 would include $600 million for NASA's science and aeronautics programs, as well as funding to repair some of the damage caused by natural disasters in 2008. While I applaud this much-needed infusion of funds into our space program, I write to urge you to include an additional $2 billion in funds for NASA to be directed towards exploration systems and space operations. While the $400 million proposed in the summary released by the House Appropriations Committee this morning will go a long ways to strengthen NASA's science programs, I believe we would be remiss to leave out funding for our manned space exploration program from this recovery package. If the goal of this legislation is to stimulate our economy, support science, and maintain and create high-tech jobs, there is no better place to dedicate resources than to our human spaceflight program. Small businesses in nearly every state supply NASA programs, employing over half a million Americans and contributing nearly $100 billion to our economy in 2004 alone. The reach of the space economy is broad and its contributions are vital to enhancing our nation's economy and technological leadership. Providing these crucial resources will reimburse the agency for funds spent on return-to-flight expenses following the Columbia disaster and for repairs needed following Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. This infusion of funds will accelerate the Constellation program, which will create new infrastructure and high-tech jobs and minimize our dependence on Russia during the impending space flight gap while also providing an immediate and long-term economic stimulus for communities across our nation. Minimizing the space flight gap will ensure that our constituents' taxpayer dollars that would otherwise go to Russia, China, or other countries to ferry our cargo and astronauts to space will stay in the United States, driving our economy. If we find ourselves dependent on other countries for access to space and the International Space Station for five years, as the current budget situation dictates, we will not only lose thousands of highly-skilled, high-paying jobs across the country, but also potentially cede our leadership in space and lose ground in technology and innovation. Technologies developed for manned space flight and research conducted on the shuttles and International Space Station, a National Laboratory which American taxpayers have invested $100 billion in so far, improve the quality of life for all our citizens and enable us to address important issues facing our nation, including developing alternative energy, improving health care, strengthening commerce and communications, and studying and understanding climate change. There is no doubt that an infusion of emergency funds will have a wide-ranging impact resulting in a stronger economy. As you work to complete the economic recovery package, I ask that you strongly consider including an additional $2 billion for a healthy NASA. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to working together for a strong space and aeronautics program for the United States.[/i]
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