Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Pence's Remarks at the 7th Meeting of the National Space Council; May 19, 2020
Today's secret word is the always popular "leadership."
REMARKS
Remarks by Vice President Pence at the 7th Meeting of the National Space Council
INFRASTRUCTURE & TECHNOLOGY
Issued on: May 19, 2020
NASA Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
10:29 A.M. EDT
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, allow me to welcome members of the President’s Cabinet and members of the National Space Council to the seventh meeting of the National Space Council. And it’s a particular pleasure to be back here at the Washington headquarters of NASA and to be joined by the NASA Administrator, who is at the — in Houston as we speak, doing important preparations. Jim Bridenstine is with us.
But to all of our gathered here today: Welcome to the “Launch America” edition of the National Space Council. We are one week and one day away from when America will return American astronauts on American rockets from American soil to space. And it’s an extraordinarily exciting time in the life of this program.
And I know I speak on behalf of the President of the United States, when I — when I express my appreciation, Jim, to you, to the entire NASA team; my profound and humble admiration for the astronauts that we’ll be speaking to in just a few moments, who will be carrying American leadership back into space from American soil next week. And I know I speak for the President when I say how grateful we are for the long hours of work represented by the members of this administration, of so many critical agencies, that has really put into practice President Trump’s vision for renewed American leadership in space.
I had the great privilege — as I see General Hyten with us, Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — I had the great privilege of being at the Air Force Academy not long ago, when we commissioned the very first class of officers to the United States Space Force. And that, combined with the return of American leadership in human space exploration, this is an extraordinarily exciting time.
And it comes at an important time in the life of our nation. We find ourselves, over the last many months, dealing with an unprecedented pandemic. But we’ve seen the American people respond — from our healthcare workers, to first responders, to leadership at every level across the country. We have stepped forward and met this moment as a nation.
{snip}
Under the leadership of this President, in full partnership with all of our governors, with a whole-of-government, a whole-of-America approach, we’ve responded.
But it seems to me altogether fitting that as the American people come every day closer to that day that we put the coronavirus epidemic in the past, that we’re approaching such an exciting time in the life of our nation — whether it be the launch of the Space Force or whether it be the launch of American astronauts back to space next week — this is exactly the kind of — of leadership that has ever inspired our nation throughout my lifetime. And I — and I know it’s going to be a great inspiration to the American people, when we — when we see those rockets fired next week.
I want to thank a special — a special group: all new members of the National Space Council who are with us. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf, the Acting Director of National Intelligence Rick Grenell, and the new Director of the President’s Domestic Policy Council, Brooke Rollins. We welcome you to the National Space Council and are grateful to have your leadership.
Today we’re going to hear from other Cabinet members that have played such a key role in the development and implementation of the President’s vision for American leadership in space. Secretary Chao and Secretary Ross are going to update us on the latest on regulatory reform measures that have really catalyzed private and entrepreneurial development of space. The Secretary of the Energy — of Energy, Dan Brouillette, is going to talk about how we’re leveraging American energy in space. Jim Bridenstine is going to give us a report on the progress of not only Launch America, but also the Artemis program, which will put the — the next man and the first woman on the Moon by 2024. And we’ll hear from the Deputy Secretary of Defense about the standup of the Space Force.
{snip}
I’m also especially enthusiastic about — about hearing from two extraordinarily courageous Americans. Colonel Robert Behnken is going to be the joint operations commander for the mission that will take to the skies and take to the heavens next week. We’ll be speaking to him in just a few moments. Doug Hurley will be the spacecraft commander as well. And these two astronauts represent the best of America, and they will be renewing — renewing American leadership in space from American soil. And we’re going to be very grateful to speak to them in the time that they have remaining today.
{snip}
So thank you all very much for your great leadership. And, Jim Bridenstine, share some opening comments. And then I think we’ve got some astronauts to talk to.
{snip}
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much, Jim. Thanks for that very thorough and informative review of renewed American leadership in space here at NASA. I know President Trump is grateful for all of your efforts, all of the efforts of the NASA team that’s looking on, and we’re incredibly proud of the timetable that you’re on.
And — and what a privilege it is to convene the National Space Council and have an opportunity at the dawn of a new era of American leadership in space to be joined by two NASA astronauts — two very experienced NASA astronauts who will be returning to space next week on American rockets from American soil. And let me formally welcome Colonel Robert Behnken and Colonel Douglas Hurley.
And on behalf of the President of the United States and on behalf of the American people, thank you for your long service to this nation, thank you for your incredible leadership in NASA, and thank you for stepping forward one more time. And welcome –welcome to this meeting of the National Space Council.
{snip}
And — and as we think of the passing of Annie Glenn, another — another incredible member of the NASA family, we just say Godspeed to both of you.
So thank you all very much. And let’s give these two a round of applause. (Applause.) Thank you, men. Great.
COLONEL HURLEY: Thank you, sir.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Great. Thank you, all.
END
11:01 A.M
Remarks by Vice President Pence at the 7th Meeting of the National Space Council
INFRASTRUCTURE & TECHNOLOGY
Issued on: May 19, 2020
NASA Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
10:29 A.M. EDT
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, allow me to welcome members of the President’s Cabinet and members of the National Space Council to the seventh meeting of the National Space Council. And it’s a particular pleasure to be back here at the Washington headquarters of NASA and to be joined by the NASA Administrator, who is at the — in Houston as we speak, doing important preparations. Jim Bridenstine is with us.
But to all of our gathered here today: Welcome to the “Launch America” edition of the National Space Council. We are one week and one day away from when America will return American astronauts on American rockets from American soil to space. And it’s an extraordinarily exciting time in the life of this program.
And I know I speak on behalf of the President of the United States, when I — when I express my appreciation, Jim, to you, to the entire NASA team; my profound and humble admiration for the astronauts that we’ll be speaking to in just a few moments, who will be carrying American leadership back into space from American soil next week. And I know I speak for the President when I say how grateful we are for the long hours of work represented by the members of this administration, of so many critical agencies, that has really put into practice President Trump’s vision for renewed American leadership in space.
I had the great privilege — as I see General Hyten with us, Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — I had the great privilege of being at the Air Force Academy not long ago, when we commissioned the very first class of officers to the United States Space Force. And that, combined with the return of American leadership in human space exploration, this is an extraordinarily exciting time.
And it comes at an important time in the life of our nation. We find ourselves, over the last many months, dealing with an unprecedented pandemic. But we’ve seen the American people respond — from our healthcare workers, to first responders, to leadership at every level across the country. We have stepped forward and met this moment as a nation.
{snip}
Under the leadership of this President, in full partnership with all of our governors, with a whole-of-government, a whole-of-America approach, we’ve responded.
But it seems to me altogether fitting that as the American people come every day closer to that day that we put the coronavirus epidemic in the past, that we’re approaching such an exciting time in the life of our nation — whether it be the launch of the Space Force or whether it be the launch of American astronauts back to space next week — this is exactly the kind of — of leadership that has ever inspired our nation throughout my lifetime. And I — and I know it’s going to be a great inspiration to the American people, when we — when we see those rockets fired next week.
I want to thank a special — a special group: all new members of the National Space Council who are with us. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf, the Acting Director of National Intelligence Rick Grenell, and the new Director of the President’s Domestic Policy Council, Brooke Rollins. We welcome you to the National Space Council and are grateful to have your leadership.
Today we’re going to hear from other Cabinet members that have played such a key role in the development and implementation of the President’s vision for American leadership in space. Secretary Chao and Secretary Ross are going to update us on the latest on regulatory reform measures that have really catalyzed private and entrepreneurial development of space. The Secretary of the Energy — of Energy, Dan Brouillette, is going to talk about how we’re leveraging American energy in space. Jim Bridenstine is going to give us a report on the progress of not only Launch America, but also the Artemis program, which will put the — the next man and the first woman on the Moon by 2024. And we’ll hear from the Deputy Secretary of Defense about the standup of the Space Force.
{snip}
I’m also especially enthusiastic about — about hearing from two extraordinarily courageous Americans. Colonel Robert Behnken is going to be the joint operations commander for the mission that will take to the skies and take to the heavens next week. We’ll be speaking to him in just a few moments. Doug Hurley will be the spacecraft commander as well. And these two astronauts represent the best of America, and they will be renewing — renewing American leadership in space from American soil. And we’re going to be very grateful to speak to them in the time that they have remaining today.
{snip}
So thank you all very much for your great leadership. And, Jim Bridenstine, share some opening comments. And then I think we’ve got some astronauts to talk to.
{snip}
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much, Jim. Thanks for that very thorough and informative review of renewed American leadership in space here at NASA. I know President Trump is grateful for all of your efforts, all of the efforts of the NASA team that’s looking on, and we’re incredibly proud of the timetable that you’re on.
And — and what a privilege it is to convene the National Space Council and have an opportunity at the dawn of a new era of American leadership in space to be joined by two NASA astronauts — two very experienced NASA astronauts who will be returning to space next week on American rockets from American soil. And let me formally welcome Colonel Robert Behnken and Colonel Douglas Hurley.
And on behalf of the President of the United States and on behalf of the American people, thank you for your long service to this nation, thank you for your incredible leadership in NASA, and thank you for stepping forward one more time. And welcome –welcome to this meeting of the National Space Council.
{snip}
And — and as we think of the passing of Annie Glenn, another — another incredible member of the NASA family, we just say Godspeed to both of you.
So thank you all very much. And let’s give these two a round of applause. (Applause.) Thank you, men. Great.
COLONEL HURLEY: Thank you, sir.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Great. Thank you, all.
END
11:01 A.M
