2013 Citizens for Space Exploration D.C. Trip - May 20-23, 2013

2013 Citizens for Space Exploration D.C. Trip - May 20-23, 2013

Trip Summary

The 2013 DC Trip was a success and helped advance support for human space exploration and demonstrate a large, grassroots constituency for space exploration. The 22nd annual trip included 97 travelers representing 28 states who conducted 340 congressional office visits. The diverse group of travelers included elected officials, 30 university students majoring in engineering or related technical fields of study, industry representatives and community leaders. The Congressional reception was well attended and included remarks from 11 Members of Congress and attended by over 60 staffers.

During the trip, the House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Science and Space held a hearing on potential space destinations; Chairman Steven Palazzo (R-MS-4) recognized the Citizens for Space Exploration during his remarks. Brian Freedman of the Boeing Company served as the 2013 Trip Chairman.

Visits overview

Each meeting team consisted of a team leader and 2-3 other travelers including at least one student. The team visited Congressional offices of their home states and would deliver a logoed astronaut keepsake and the Citizens for Space Exploration folders that included:

·  Citizens for Space Exploration overview document

·  The NASA Elements of Human Space Flight 1-pager

·  ISS Spinoffs 1-pager

·  Coalition for Space Exploration op-ed by Doug Cooke

·  State-specific document with NASA funds spent in that state

·  A document that showed companies working on NASA spinoffs in that state

Key Messages included support for NASA’s human space exploration portfolio, and NASA’s role in supporting American leadership, education, innovation, health care, and quality of life for less than half of one percent of the budget.

Team members focused their specific reason for support – for example:

·  Student: why education is important to inspire students and get them into STEM careers

·  Industry: What is happening in space exploration and why it is important to the economy and to business

·  Elected officials: Why NASA is an important investment and important to communities, the spinoff benefits, etc.

·  Community leaders and economic development officials: a wide variety of reasons for supporting including leadership, education, spinoffs, etc.

Kick-Off Reception – Monday, May 20, 2013

Brian Freedman emceed the program in his role as the trip chairman. Speakers including J.T. Jezierski from the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Dr. Tara Ruttley, Associate Program Scientist for the Space Station Program, Joe Mayer, Chairman of CSE National, and David Braun, the trip coordinator. Topics covered included CSE history, Hill do’s and don’ts, a legislative update, ISS spinoffs, and a run-through of the drop-off materials and key messages. Following the meeting, each team met, strategized and planned for the following two days of visits.

Congressional Reception – Tuesday, May 21, 2013

The Citizens for Space Exploration hosted a Congressional Reception for Members of Congress and their staff. Eleven Congressional Members spoke at the reception and Representative Pete Olson (R-TX-22) emceed the event. The speakers were Representatives Steve Stockman (R-TX-36), Randy Weber (R-TX-14), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Bill Posey (R-FL-8), Louie Gohmert (R-TX-1), Bill Flores (R-TX-17), Rodney Alexander (R-LA-5), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18), Steven Palazzo (R-MS-4), and Ralph Hall (R-TX-4). Representative Mike McIntyre (D-NC-7) attended but did not speak. The event was also attended by approximately 60 staff members from both Congressional personal offices and committees.

Feedback

Some key takeaways, based on feedback received from the teams:

·  Strong bipartisan support for NASA, but little understandingof the details of NASA’s overall spaceflight portfolio.

·  The budget is challenging and there is little expectation of any budget increase.

·  Concern from a number of Members about the impact of future sequestration reductions.

·  NASA and industry will have to continuously make the case for the value of spaceflight.

·  Interest in NASA’s Commercial Crew and Cargo efforts and the associated companies

·  Recognition of the importance of Space Launch System and Orion to support deep-space exploration.

·  Concern regarding the funding reductions to NASA’s STEM initiatives and the associated impact to STEM careers.

·  Chris Hatfield’s outreach efforts were recognized by a number of staffers who mentioned him his activities during the ISS mission.

·  The HSF 1-pager received significant feedback regarding the ability to tell the humans spaceflight story

·  Additional outreach opportunities were identified, Citizens for Space will add staff members to the regular space news distribution.

·  Many staffers asked to be contacted when a specific vote or action was needed.

Local Elected Officials Attending the Trip

·  Galveston County Judge Mark Henry

·  Harris County Tax Assessor Mike Sullivan

·  League City Mayor Tim Paulissen

·  League City Councilman Todd Kinsey

·  Nassau Bay Mayor Mark Denman

·  Nassau Bay Councilman David Braun

·  Nassau Bay Councilman Jonathan Amdur

·  Pasadena City Councilman Steve Cote

·  Seabrook Councilman Don Holbrook

·  Seabrook Councilman Robert Lorente

·  Seabrook Councilman Thom Kolupski

·  Friendswood City Councilman Steve Rockey