Space Foundation comment on the State of the Union address

Space Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Elliot G. Pulham issued the following statement in response to President Bush’s 2006 State of the Union Address and his emphasis on encouraging United States’ innovation and competitiveness:

“The Space Foundation commends President Bush for highlighting the need to foster innovation and improve math and science education to keep the United States competitive globally. Through the introduction of the American Competitiveness Initiative, the President has focused attention on those things that laid the groundwork for the United States’ economic and technology leadership – strong skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and a commitment to research and innovation.

The need is urgent, as the United States faces vigorous competition from other countries that have recognized the economic benefit of creating a high technology society. The Space Foundation looks forward to working with the Congress and the Administration to increase innovation and math and science skills to preserve the United States’ leadership in technology and competitiveness in the global economy.

For more than 20 years, the Space Foundation has been developing programs to nurture space science studies in the classroom and innovation in the workforce. We have trained nearly 40,000 educators in all 50 states through innovative programs that use the excitement of space exploration to teach math and science and improve literacy. We are committed to inspire, enable and propel tomorrow’s explorers.”

About the Space Foundation

Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that vigorously advances civil, commercial, and national security space endeavors and educational excellence. The Space Foundation has offices in Washington, D.C., and Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Space Foundation’s signature event, the National Space Symposium, is scheduled for April 3-6, 2006, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo. Along with partnering organizations, the Space Foundation also conducts Inside Aerospace, April 24-25, 2006, in Washington, D.C.; Strategic Space and Defense, 10-12 Oct. 2006 in Omaha, Neb.; and Florida Space. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.