Conference 7.286::space

And here's what I wrote...


Dear Senator Foo,

I'm writing to you to voice my support for the proposed NASA budget.  I believe
that it is vital to the future of this country to maintain a leadership role in
the exploration of space, and I fear that any cuts to the proposed budget will
endanger this goal.

Over the last 15 years, we have seen our pre-eminent position as a world leader
in manned spaceflight erode.  Soviet cosmonauts have spent more than 5,700 days
on board Soviet space stations since 1971.  The United States has not had a
space station since Skylab burned up over western Australia on July 11, 1979.

The Soviet Union has achieved such success by maintaining long-range political
and financial commitments to their space program.  A lesson which seems to have
been missed in Washington.

I urge you to support funding for the development and deployment of Space
Station Freedom.  Significant funding is essential to ensure the success of this
program.

					Sincerely,

					me

re:< Note 521.2 by VMSINT::PIPER "Derrell Piper - VAX/VMS Development" >
>                       -< Does anyone see a connection? >-

Well, it is my guess that you got a form letter keyed to your support of 
the space station!

Wounderful thing what computers have done for congressional mailings!

Tony

    Undoubtedly lots of boiler plate patched together, but there is
    evidence that the answer related to the inquiry.  Notice that you
    supported the station and she said that other stuff is also important
    and the station must not push it out of the way.  In other words,
    she is saying, "I disagree with your unequivical support..."
    
    Burns
    
    P.S.  Whom does she represent? 

She's one of four names that were circulated on sci.space a while ago.  Jake
Garn was another; I can't remember the others off the top of my head.  It is
claimed that these four sit on the appropriations committee and are the ones
who have the most influence on NASA funding.

I also read her response as "I disagree with your unequivocal support."  
That's really what prompted me to post it...

    Mikulski is the chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee
    subcomittee that is respnsible for independent agencies (i.e. NASA)
    funding.
    
    She's a rabble-rousing populist from the old school. I saw her on
    C-SPAN a couple of years ago, when she was a representative from
    Maryland running for the Senate, and I thought she came across as
    frighteningly stupid. 

Dear Mr. Piper:

Thank you again for your letter regarding the importance of our nation's space
program.  Let me say from the outset that I share your interest in space and
support for NASA's budget and programs.  I always enjoy hearing from someone
else who is as fascinated and supportive of the U.S. space program as I am.

The recent launches of Discovery and Atlantis demonstrate that we are back on
the right track.  But the space program is clearly at a crossroads.  Like you, I
believe it is time for the U.S. to choose the path of aggressive space
development and exploration.

Space Station Freedom is a mjor part of our future in space.  The space station
represents the crucial first step in a long process of understanding, exploring,
and eventually in habiting space.  The space station would serve as an orbital
transporation center and working research laboratory to help us better undersand
the effects of prolonged weightlessness on people and materials.  In addition,
we have important new opportunities in planetary exploration, aerospace
technology development, and a strong shuttle program.

These are difficult times in Washington -- the federal budget deficit must be
reduced and tough decisions will need to be made.  However, if I have anything
to do with it, NASA and the United States will keep moving forward, developing
the space station and maintaining the world leadership we have always enjoyed in
space.

Thank you again for your letter and concern for national policy.  I urge you to
stay involved with the space program and to make other elected officials aware
of your concerns.  In the meantime, I will be working to insure that the budget
process does not shortchange our future.

					Sincerely,

					Jake Garn