WASHINGTON, April 16 /PRNewsire/ -- Mission HOME, an alliance of
non-profit space organizations and aerospace corporations, today issued a
"Declaration of Space Leadership" to urge greater public and government
support of the nation's space exploration programs.
    "America's investment in Space has profoundly shaped our nation through
the latter half of the 20th century; has produced knowledge and technologies
that save lives and enhance our well-being; and has created economic
opportunities that have helped our nation flourish and prosper," the
declaration says.
    In a speech today at the National Press Club, Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, a
Mission HOME board member and president of the Morehouse School of Medicine,
said, "America's investment in space has provided great dividends to this
nation, in terms of scientific and medical advances, economic development,
national security and technology advances. We are all better off today because
of the achievements we've made in space."
    Sullivan said space has led to nearly 30,000 products that benefit
Americans.  Some examples include satellites that allow the prediction of
where and when hurricanes, snowstorms and other dangerous weather systems will
hit, and the Global Positioning System (GPS) network of satellites that allows
commercial airlines to avoid dangerous weather conditions and is part of a
dependable navigation guidance system.
    "Another great example of how we benefit from space technology is the
Hubble Space Telescope," said Sullivan, a former Secretary, the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.  "The Hubble has not only showed us
never-before-seen space wonders, it has led to improved tissue imagery,
allowing needles rather than scalpels to be used for breast biopsies," he
said.  "This non-invasive technique has not only saved lives but will save
America $1 billion a year in health care costs."
    Sullivan spoke at the National Press Club's "Morning Newsmaker"
briefing.  "I don't want Americans to take for granted the benefits of space
exploration," said Sullivan.  "After all, for more than 40 years, America's
investment in space has provided great dividends to this nation, in terms of
scientific and medical advances, economic development, national security and
technology advances.  The fact is, we are all better off today because of the
achievements we've made in space."
    Mission HOME (Harvesting Opportunity for Mother Earth) is urging all
Americans to "Take Up Space" through a nationwide campaign to rebuild
enthusiastic support for civil, commercial and national security space
programs.  Apollo 13 Commander - and Mission HOME Chairman - Jim Lovell
launched the campaign in 1996.
    The Mission HOME declaration lists a number of priorities for making the
continued exploration and use of space a national priority.
    These include:
    -- The existence of affordable and technologically advanced launch
       capability support America's space goals.
    -- Policies that drive private investment in space products and services.
    -- Speed transfer of government-developed technology to the private
       sector and enhance the availability of commercial satellite systems.
    -- Promote government purchase of commercial, off-the-shelf space
       products.
    -- Increase funding for NASA and other government civil space agencies.
    -- Ensure a continuous and strengthened human presence in space through
       the 21st Century.
    -- Continue to explore our universe to advance scientific discoveries
       and improve our understanding of the planet Earth.
    -- Fund defense space systems that give our armed forces the greatest
       advantage during times of crisis or conflict.
    -- Sustain a leadership position in national security space by
       developing new and more effective technologies.
    -- Improve the cost efficiency and effectiveness of our national defense
       through investment in space-based communications, intelligence, and
       early-warning capabilities.

    "An aggressive national commitment by government, industry and the public
to the continued exploration and use of space will best serve individual
citizens and our collective society," the Mission HOME declaration says.  The
declaration calls space "a vital bridge to a peaceful and prosperous world."
    Sullivan urged all Americans to commit themselves to space explorations,
saying, "As the former Secretary of Health and Human Services, responsible for
implementation of the nation's health policies, and as the president of the
Morehouse School of Medicine, I know first hand  the great medical science
advances that have been made because of space exploration.  Frankly, I am
concerned that if we don't allocate more money for space and show a greater
support of efforts by NASA and others, we could lose the opportunity to more
wondrous discoveries.  It's no longer a matter of beating the Russians or
anyone else; it's a matter of helping all mankind."
    Mission HOME's national awareness campaign this year will visit the
following cities: Austin, Texas; Jackson, Mississippi; Cleveland, Ohio;
Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Denver, Colorado; Portland,
Oregon; and Omaha, Nebraska.

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