because ultimately if we fail to press forward in the pursuit of discovery, we're ceding our future and the element of the american character. i know there have been a number of questions raised by my administration's plan for space exploration, especially in this part of florida where so many rely on nasa for income, pride and community. these questions come at a time of transition. as a space shuttle nears a scheduled retirement after almost 30 years of service. this adds to the worries of folks concerned not only about their future but the future of the space program to which they have devoted their lives. but i know that underlying they concerns is a deeper worry. one that perceives not only this plan but this administration. it stems from the sense that people in washington driven sometimes less by vision than by politics have neglected nasa's