SRC-JGS S.C.R. 6 78(4) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.C.R. 6 By: Jackson Finance 5/12/2004 As Filed DIGEST Since its inception in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has accomplished great scientific and technological feats, as well as advancing humankind's knowledge of Earth and the universe. Texas, primarily through the work performed at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, has been a leader in the research, design, exploration and development of space enterprise since the dawn of the space age. Almost one-third of NASA's $14 billion budget is spent in Texas at the JSC. NASA operates ambitious outreach programs across the state through JSC, including NASA Explorer Schools and the Texas Aerospace Scholars Program. History has shown that space exploration benefits all humankind through new technologies for everyday application, new jobs across the entire economic enterprise, economic contributions through new markets and commercial products, education and inspiration, United States leadership, increased security, and a legacy for future generations. A space exploration vision has recently been articulated to affirm the United States' commitment to human space exploration and give NASA a new focus and clear objectives, including long-term human and robotic programs, to explore the solar system, and a return to the moon that will ultimately enable future exploration of Mars and other destinations. PURPOSE As proposed, S.C.R. 6 proposes the following resolutions: That the House of Representatives and Senate of the State of Texas, jointly, strongly encourage all members of the United States Congress to fully fund NASA in the amount of $16.2 billion in support of the Space Exploration Vision, as submitted to Congress for fiscal year 2005, to enable the United States and the State of Texas to remain leaders in the exploration and development of space. That the Texas Secretary of State forward official copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to each senator and representative from Texas in the Congress of the United States, and to the NASA Administrator.