Thank you, robert. The governor abbot, senator cruz, crass grn am and care chairman smith, to our great acting administrator, distinguished guests, to all the nasa team and here at Johnson Space center, i cant tell you how privileged and honored i feel today to be able to congratulate the newest class of american heroes, the 2017 class of americas astronauts. [ applause ] these are 12 men and women whose personal excellence and personal courage will carry our nation to even Greater Heights and discovery and who i know will inspire our children and grandchildren every bit as much as our forebearers of have done in this program. And its my honor to announce the 45th president of the United States, President Donald Trump. [ applause ] your president is proud of you, and so am i. And President Donald Trump is firmly committed to nasas noble mission, leading america in space. [ applause ] earlier this year after the signing of the first nasa authorization act in seven years, the president renewed in his words the nasa commitment. The president said in his words, we must have the courage to look, to look for answers in places weve never looked before and to think in new ways. And he said these new discoveries remind us that here in america anything is possible if we have the courage and the wisdom to lead. [ applause ] now, for my part, it really is a joy, for this lifelong nasa fan to be standing here at the Johnson Space center on my birthday no less. [ applause ] this really is a special place. Think about it. For more than half a century this center has guided americas astronauts in their exploration of the heavens. You here have managed 211 of americas crude mission into space. Every single one from gem nifour in 1965 to the International Space center at this very moment, here youve navigated family members to the moon, brought the apailo 13 crew back safe and sound. And even now you navigate astronauts as they walk above us in space. You know, a i caught space fever as a little boy in indiana. And some of my most cherished members of my youth was our family gathered around that black and white television. As a member of congress, i actually asked to serve on the Science Committee on the nasa subcommittee, mr. Chairman. I had the privilege along with my wife karen and three children to attend many at the National Space center. I have no doubt that my son whos now a Marine Corp Aviator himself was actually inspired to put on the uniform and get in the cockpit from that one day when he was ten years old at the Kennedy Space center and watched in awe as they hurled into the heavens. I remember thinking at the time to see a launch at night, cape canaveral, its like seeing the earth give birth to a piece of the sun and sending it home. The courage of these men and women and all the astronauts who have gone before inspires me to this very day. Americas marvel at our astronauts, only 338 have ever held the title of americas astronauts. The tales of the as are a testament to the spirit of the United States of america. The astronauts of nasa have inspired not only the American People, but all the world. With their extraordinary courage and achievements. The names of their missions adorn the mantle of american greatness. Mercury, gemini, apollo, our space shuttles from atlantis to enterprise and more. Carved into the hearts of every american. John glenn, alan shepherd, the rest of the mercury 7. Neil armstrong, buzz aldrin, sally ride. And all the men and women who took our nation to new heights. But its not just the astronauts. As you 12 know already and youre going to learn a lot more in the days ahead, we couldnt go anywhere without the dedication of the more than 17,000 men and women of nasa and he extraordinary contractors who send you to the heavens and bring you home. And let me make a promise to all of them and to these courageous newly minted heroes on this stage. Our administration, this will be true. Nasa will have the resources and supports you need to continue to make history. To push the boundaries of Human Knowledge and advance American Leadership to the boundless frontier of space. Under President Donald Trump, america will lead in space once again and the world will marvel. President trump recognizes that America Needs a cohesive approach to the last and greatest frontier. Thats why im especially excited to announce after more than two decades from when it was disbanded that soon President Trump will relaunch the National Space council and it will be my great honor as Vice President of the United States to chair the new National Space council in washington, d. C. America needs a National Space council once again. Twice before in our nations history, our nation had a federal body charged with advising the president on National Strategy for space. The first Space Council helped marshal Americas Energy and skills during the infancy of our nations attempts to reach the stars. It was under the councils watch that america put a man, the first man in outer space and put a man on the moon in less than a decade between. Our National Space council will reenergize the Pioneering Spirit of america in space. It will ensure that america never again loses our lead in Space Exploration, innovation, and technology. As President Trump said in his inaugural address, we will continue to unlock the mysteries of space. But to do so we must reorient our civilian Space Program toward deep Space Exploration and provide the capabilities for america to maintain a constant presence in low earth orbit and beyond. By tapping the bottomless well through increased collaboration with commercial space industries, we can seize opportunities that will benefit our nation and our people for generations to come. Historys been made in these halls. Today were making history once again. Behind me stand 12 men and women who already soared to tremendous heights in their careers. The newest class of americas astronauts. You 12 have already distinguished yourself as administrator lightfoot just mentioned, more than 18,3000 people applied to be members of this 12member class. Smashing the previous record of 8,000 applicants which was set back in 1978. You are the 12 who made it through. You have joined the elites. You are the best of us. You carry on your shoulders the hopes and dreams of the American People. I would imagine that your families, many who are gathered here feel an almost inexpressable pride for youve been chosen to be astronauts. Lets give these families another round of applause. [ applause ] you know, theres an old saying when you see a box turtle on a fence post, one thing you know for sure, he didnt get there on his own. I know for every one of you, those that are gathered here and those that are looking on have been there to lift you up to hold up your arms and bring you to this extraordinary moment in your life. You know, its amazing to think what you all have accomplished so many millions of americans have dreamed about. They have. And theyll keep dreaming about it in generations to come. It was a flight of fancy for a little boy in columbus, indiana. But for you, that flight became your future. That dream has become your destiny. And in the years to come, you will depart from this blue marble and take your place among the roll of americas legends who have broken past the bounds of earth. Now their legacy falls to you and youll follow in their contrails. As american astronauts, you may yet return our nation to the moon. You may be the first to travel to mars. You may have experiences that we can only imagine, those of us who walk on terra firma. But as you go forward, be assured, the American People stand with you. And the countless men and women behind the scenes who will carry you into space, we stand with you as well. And make no mistake about it, i know the path youve chosen is hard. But as president john f. Kennedy said not far from right here, back in 1962, we know you choose to do these things not just because theyre easy but rather in his words because they are hard. Because that challenge is one that youre willing to accept. Unwilling to postpone. Thats a challenge president kennedy said. One we intend to win. And let the say to these astronauts, we will win. Under the leadership of President Donald Trump, the United States will usher in a new era of Space Exploration that will benefit every facet of our national life. It will strengthen our National Security and the safety of the American People. It will strengthen our economy as we unlock new opportunities and new sources of prosperity. It will strengthen education in inspiring a rising generation of americans to study science, technology, engineering, and math. And more than anything else as the president believes with deep conviction, will strengthen the american spirit. As once again we reach out our hands to touch the heavens and raise our heads to gaze with wonder at the stars. And the heroes that have the courage to explore them. You 12 will be part of our vanguard. Youre the heroes. Youre the patriots. The trail blazers ain the best american tradition. And i know youre humbled to be among that group. To the 12 members of this new class of american astronauts, i say congratulations. Youve already captured the respect and admiration of your peers. When you lift off the launch pad, to boldly go, youll capture the imagination of your nation and the world. And i believe with all of my heart that when you go, you will not go alone. For as the psalm teaches us, if you rise on the wings of the dawn, if you go up to the heavens, even there his hand will guide you. And his right hand will hold you fast. As you begin this journey, know that you will be carried by grace and by the prayers of the American People. So god speed to the class of 2017. May god guide you and bless you. May god bless nasa and may god bless the United States. [ applause ] cspans washington journal live every day with news and policy issues that impact you. Coming up thursday morning, well preview the upcoming testimony by former fbi director james comey to the Senate Intelligence committee. Our guests include mike lee, david hawkings, and brenda lawrence. Be sure to watch cspans washington journal live at 7 00 a. M. Eastern thursday morning. Join the discussion. Coming up on cspan3, the Missile Defense budget. Then looking at the repeal and replace Affordable Care act. After that Vice President pence visited nasas Johnson Space center in houston and welcomes new astronaut candidates. Later, a conversation on the u. S. Tax code. Former fbi director will testify before the Senate IntelligenceCommittee Investigating russian activities during last years election. The committee released mr. Comeys written statement about meetings and phone calls he had with President Trump. You can watch live hearing coverage thursday at 10 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan3 and cspan. Org. Also listen on cspans free radio app which you can down load at the Apple App Store or on google play. The hearing will also reair thursday evening at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan2. Next, the director of the Missile Defense agency testifies about the pentagons recent intercepter Missile Defense test. And the