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Statement by AIA President and CEO John W. Douglass on the nomination of Sean O'Keefe as NASA Administrator.

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 15 - The aerospace industry is very pleased that the president has announced his intention to nominate Sean O'Keefe as administrator of NASA. Sean is an extremely well qualified with broad experience in a number of government agencies, as well as the academic community.

His management expertise and pragmatic leadership will be needed at NASA, which is facing a number of tough challenges. NASA funding needs to be increased by a significant amount to ensure that the United States maintains its global leadership in space exploration, science and aeronautics. NASA's flagging investment in R&D is of particular concern to AIA, which has advocated a $20 billion increase in its R&D program over five years. America needs NASA to focus on the technology needs of its civil aviation sector of the economy. The need for advancements in air traffic control, safety and security have never been greater than they are today.

The aerospace industry is looking forward to working with Sean as he addresses these challenges.

P.A. Rel 2001-30

11.15.01

-AIA-

Contact: Matt Grimison, AIA
703-358-1076
matt.grimison@aia-aerospace.org