As Nelson puts it, "I've asked the president to use money from leftover stimulus funds. . . I've also asked him to help minimize the job losses after the space shuttle is retired, in part, by transferring other NASA-related work to Cape Canaveral" ("U.S. Senator Bill Nelson," Internet). Obviously, since Cape Canaveral is located in Florida, Senator Nelson is attempting to guarantee that the space program continues to help increase the financial coffers of the state, not to mention the creation of many jobs for those with expertise in the space sciences.
In 1986, Senator Nelson became the only member of the U.S. Congress to ever have flown in space and as a result is now a very outspoken advocate for space exploration. In 2001, Senator Nelson stated that the International Space Station is also of great importance, "Not the least of which. . . To support research activities in such diverse fields as biology, biomedical science, space technology, earth science, high-energy physics, and materials and combustion science" ("Statement of Senator Bill Nelson," Internet).
As recently as July of 2009, Senator...
Think about all the medical equipment. Think about the microminiaturization that came as a direct result" of the space program ("Senator Bill Nelson on the Space Program," Internet). Certainly, considering all of his interests as a member of the U.S. Senate, Bill Nelson stands head above all the rest when it comes to America's future and its place in an ever-growing and complicated world.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Senator Bill Nelson on the Space Program." Real Clear Politics. July 20, 2009. Internet.
Accessed November 10, 2009 from http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/
2009/07/20/senator_bill_nelson_on_the_space_program_97556.html.
"Statement of Senator Bill Nelson: Senate Space Roundtable." September 26, 2001. Internet.
Accessed November 10, 2009 from http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.
html?pid=6121.
"U.S. Senator Bill Nelson -- Florida." Internet. 2009. Accessed November 10, 2009 from http://billnelson.senate.gov.
