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Last year, the National Commission on Space issued its findings and recommendations in a visionary document. For all the initial enthusiasm for the report, its words have fallen on deaf ears at the White House. Because NASA and the Administration were taking little action in response to the Paine Commission report, I felt it necessary to include language in the NASA Authorization bill which requires NASA to respond to the report. 

Today, we will hear from Dr. Sally Ride on her long-term planning efforts, as well as on the new Office for Exploration. I am encouraged by this initiative, and commend the Administrator of NASA, Dr. James Fletcher for his foresight. The four major goals that have been widely reported demonstrate true vision, and are clearly consistent with the Paine Commission recommendations. Focusing on the Earth systems is the most responsible application of our space technology. "Mission to planet Earth," as part of the Global Change effort under discussion in other science subcommittees this week, will lead to a better understanding of how man interacts with his environment. But to know Earth, we must know our solar system. A thorough exploration of our solar system with unmanned probes could unlock the secrets of our origins. Setting the goal of returning to the Moon --and staying there-- is an essential step toward the large scale development of space. The ultimate step for mankind will be to travel beyond the Earth-Moon system to explore and settle other worlds within the Solar System. The next logical planet for manned exploration is Mars. 

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