Today, William B. Adkins was named Staff Director of the House Committee on Science, Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee.Ê Adkins had been serving as acting Staff Director since October 2001.Ê
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Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Chairman of the Subcommittee said, “I’m happy to welcome Bill Adkins in his new role.Ê I value his experience and careful approach to NASA’s programs and budget.”
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“I’m thrilled to have Bill at the helm of the Space Subcommittee,” added Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY).Ê “I know his legislative experience and outstanding knowledge of the issues before the Committee will prove invaluable to me, to Mr. Rohrabacher, and to the American people.”
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Before joining the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee in March 2000, Mr. Adkins was a Legislative Assistant and National Security Fellow for Senator Spencer Abraham (R-MI), where he handled national security, military, and space policy issues.Ê Prior to working on Capitol Hill, Mr. Adkins spent 12 years in the Executive Branch with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), developing national security space systems and advanced technology.
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Mr. Adkins is a senior member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and was a Congressional Fellow with the American Political Science Association (APSA).Ê He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the George Washington University and has done graduate course work in Aerospace Engineering and Electrical Engineering.
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The Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee has legislative jurisdiction and oversight responsibility for all matters relating to civil and commercial space and aeronautical research and development.Ê This includes NASA, commercial space activities at the Department of Transportation and the Department of Commerce, and the Federal Aviation Administration’s R&D program.ÊÊ
