U.S. Chamber Supports New NASA Nominee

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce gave its support to Michael D. Griffin, President Bush's choice to lead the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and welcomed his support for the nation's space program.

"Michael Griffin brings a wealth of know-how to NASA and the advancement of America's space program," said Thomas Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "The nominee has years of experience with the agency, which has helped make the U.S. a world leader in space exploration."

The Chamber has been working with NASA on various initiatives that bring the business and space community together in order to ensure the global competitiveness of a key component of our high-tech workforce. As a result, over the past 40 years, more than 10,000 NASA-developed technologies have been transferred to private industry, including the transportation, public safety, and health and medicine sectors.

Looking toward the future, the Chamber has devoted significant resources to NASA's plan to implement the Vision for Space Exploration, which includes the Space Shuttle return flight in May. This initiative will not only maintain NASA's legacy in developing technologies, but also help develop the technical innovation necessary to keep the U.S. competative abroad.

"Employers of all sizes stand to benefit from the transfer of government technology to the private sector and the government stands to benefit from the business community through the contributions of a more capable, higher-tech industrial base," continued Donohue. "We look forward to working with Michael Griffin to continue to strengthen the nation's technology sector."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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