Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords was selected today by her colleagues on the Science and Technology Committee to serve as Chair of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee.
During her first term in the House of Representatives, Giffords became one of the most active new members on the Science and Technology Committee, distinguishing herself as a strong advocate for renewable energy, math and science education, and innovation. Giffords' appointment represents her recognized leadership on these issues.
"I look forward to furthering the mission of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee," stated Giffords. "NASA is an inspiration to our nation. The work done by its researchers on a range of challenging problems, including climate change, is among the best in the world. In particular, I want to ensure that we make maximum use of NASA's technologies, such as those related to solar power and fuel cells, to address our pressing terrestrial energy and environmental concerns. NASA's Centers, working with industry and our universities, are capable of carrying out the challenging missions the nation has asked the agency to undertake in science, aeronautics, and human space flight. I look forward to working with Chairman Gordon, my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and the new Administration, in pursuing an ambitious agenda for the Subcommittee."
Southern Arizona, and the University of Arizona (UA) in particular, plays a leading role in space exploration research in the United States. At the University, the departments of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences are at the cutting edge of research in their fields. In 2008, these two departments received $67 million and $22 million in NASA grants, respectively. To put that in perspective, that's over half of the budget for the entire College of Science, and almost as much as the entire budget for the UA College of Medicine.
"On behalf of the University of Arizona, I would like to congratulate Congresswoman Giffords on her appointment," stated Robert Shelton, President University of Arizona. "She understands the contributions of the academic community to the nation's space programs and has worked closely with the University of Arizona on several important space policy issues. Congresswoman Giffords is a champion for space programs and their impact on our nation."
Joaquin Ruiz, Dean of the College of Science at the University of Arizona, also remarked, "I am very pleased that Congresswoman Giffords has been appointed chair of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. The University of Arizona is unequaled in the United States in space exploration research and it's fitting that a Representative from our region is also the leader of this important Subcommittee."
Southern Arizona is also home to the Planetary Science Institute, numerous government and private telescopes, and private sector companies that play an important role in space exploration. One example of such a private sector company is Paragon Space Development Corporation, which is a NASA subcontractor in the effort to design and build a next generation space suit.
Giffords is married to Captain Mark E. Kelly, a navy pilot detailed to NASA, who has piloted and commanded several shuttle missions during his twelve years in that assignment. "My personal experience in learning about the space program gives me a jumpstart," Giffords said. "Building on Senator Mark Udall's efforts as the previous chair of this Subcommittee, I am dedicated to sharpening NASA's role in America's global competitiveness and innovation."
"Having gotten to know Gabrielle over the past two years I think she would be good at anything she does," commented Chairman Gordon. "The Committee and the nation are fortunate that she has assumed this position. The issues before the Subcommittee are complex, but I know that she will play an effective leadership role in addressing them. The country owes a large part of its technical edge and our economic competitiveness to work done at NASA, and we need to ensure that we maximize NASA's relevance to addressing the science and technology challenges that will be facing the nation in the coming years."
The Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee has legislative jurisdiction and general oversight and investigative authority of on all matters relating to astronautical and aeronautical research and development including:
- national space policy, including access to space;
- sub-orbital access and applications;
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and its contractor and government-operated laboratories;
- space commercialization including the commercial space activities relating to the Department of Transportation and the Department of Commerce;
- exploration and use of outer space;
- international space cooperation;
- National Space Council;
- space applications, space communications and related matters;
- earth remote sensing policy;
- civil aviation research, development, and demonstration;
- research, development, and demonstration programs of the Federal Aviation Administration; and
- space law