By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Friday, June 30, 2017, US Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) joined President Donald I. Trump (R) and Vice President Mike Pence (R) at the White House for the signing of an Executive Order restoring the National Space Council. The National Space Council has been disbanded for almost 25 years and is intended to oversee the coordination and implementation of national space policy. Vice President Pence will lead the National Space Council.
Congressman Mo Brooks said, “The reestablishment of the National Space Council is an exciting testament to the renewed focus on American space preeminence by the Trump Administration and it was an honor to be invited to attend this historic occasion. As the representative for Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District, home to both Marshall Space Flight Center and the United Launch Alliance, I have an understanding of the critical economic and national security benefits space leadership provides our nation. The National Space Council will realign our nation’s space policy towards national goals and assess possible gaps in government systems. With the reestablishment of the National Space Council today, President Trump and Vice President Pence have put America back on a path to global leadership in space.”
President Donald Trump told those gathered with him in the Oval Office, “Our travels beyond the Earth propel scientific discoveries that improve our lives in countless ways here, right here, at home: powering vast new industry, spurring incredible new technology, and providing the space security we need to protect the American people. And security is going to be a very big factor with respect to space and space exploration. At some point in the future, we’re going to look back and say how did we do it without space?”
The President said, “The Vice President will serve as the council’s chair. Several representatives of my administration will join him including the Secretaries of State, Defense, Commerce, Transportation, and Homeland Security; the Chairman of the great — I’ll tell you, he’s doing a fantastic job, always working, always fighting, and winning — winning big against ISIS, that I can tell you, seeing what’s happening there — the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National Security Advisor, NASA, and the Director of National Intelligence. The council will also draw the expertise of other White House offices as well as insights from scientists, innovators, and business leaders from across the country. Many business leaders that want to be a big part of this.”
Pres. Trump said, “The National Space Council will be a central hub guiding space policy within the administration. And I will draw on it for advice and information and recommendations for action. And the Vice President, myself, and a few others are going to pick some private people to be on the board. I will say that’s not easy because everybody wants to be on this board.”
The President concluded, “Every launch into the skies is another step forward toward a future where our differences seem small against the vast expanse of our common humanity. Sometimes you have to view things from a distance in order to see the real truth. It is America’s destiny to be at the forefront of humanity’s eternal quest for knowledge and to be the leader amongst nations on our adventure into the great unknown. And I could say the great and very beautiful unknown. Nothing more beautiful. With the actions we are launching today, America will think big once again. Important words: Think big. We haven’t been thinking so big for a long time, but we’re thinking big again as a county. We will inspire millions of children to carry on this proud tradition of American space leadership — and they’re excited — and to never stop wondering, hoping, and dreaming about what lies beyond the stars.”
Representative Brooks represents Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District. Brooks is also a candidate for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate vacancy created when Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) became U.S. Attorney General. The major party primaries are on August 15 and the special general election will be on December 12, 2017.
