By:  Jackson                                                      S.R. No. 196



SENATE RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Since its inception in 1958, the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has accomplished 
many great scientific and technological feats, in addition to 
advancing humankind's knowledge of the Earth and the universe; 
and
	WHEREAS, Texas, primarily through the work done at the 
NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, has been a leader in the 
research, design, exploration, and development of space 
enterprise since the dawn of the space age; and
	WHEREAS, More than 3,000 civil servants, with a total 
payroll in excess of $260 million, and over 12,000 contractor 
employees work at the Johnson Space Center; and
	WHEREAS, The value of contracts with the Johnson Space 
Center's major contractor companies is over $3 billion, 
representing a significant economic impact to both the state and 
local economies; and
	WHEREAS, Thirty percent of NASA's $14 billion budget is 
spent in Texas at the Johnson Space Center; and
	WHEREAS, The Johnson Space Center has pioneered 
breakthroughs in space exploration, specifically through the 
Space Shuttle and International Space Station Programs, as well 
as astronaut selection and training; support of extravehicular 
activities; mission operations, including the Mission Control 
Center; engineering, biological, and physical research; and the 
care of astromaterials; and
	WHEREAS, Texas colleges and universities receive over $10 
million in NASA science and engineering grants and contracts; and
	WHEREAS, NASA operates ambitious education outreach 
programs across the state through the Johnson Space Center, 
including NASA Explorer Schools and the Texas Aerospace Scholars 
Program; and
	WHEREAS, The desire to explore is part of America's 
character, and 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; and
	WHEREAS, A Space Exploration Vision has recently been 
articulated to affirm the United States' commitment to human 
space exploration and to 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; and
	WHEREAS, The Space Exploration Vision begins with NASA 
returning the Space Shuttle to safe flight, with the chief 
purpose of completing assembly on the International Space 
Station, in addition to developing a new crew exploration vehicle 
to explore beyond Earth's orbit to other worlds, all of which are 
goals uniquely suited for the expertise resident at the NASA 
Johnson Space Center located in our state; and
	WHEREAS, The Space Exploration Vision has the potential to 
drive innovation, development, and advancement in the aerospace 
and other high-technology industries across the nation and in the 
state of Texas; and
	WHEREAS, The proposed budget request for NASA in fiscal 
year 2005 fully supports the Space Exploration Vision, aligns 
NASA programs with the Vision goals, affirms the nation's 
commitment to space exploration, and provides a clear direction 
for the United States space program; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 78th 
Legislature, 4th Called Session, 2004, hereby strongly encourage 
all members of the United States Congress to fully fund the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the amount of 
$16.2 billion in support of the Space Exploration Vision, as 
submitted to the 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; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of the senate 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 of America, and to the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Administrator.




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 17, 2004.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate