WASHINGTON - House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA) today praised the nomination of Dr. Mike Griffen as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Chairman Boehlert said, "We are extremely pleased that the President has nominated Mike Griffin to be NASA Administrator.  Dr. Griffin has long been a resource to the Science Committee, both as a public witness and in providing private counsel.  He has broad expertise, knows NASA inside and out, and is an imaginative and creative thinker and leader.  He is also known for his candor and directness.  We look very forward to working with Dr. Griffin at this critical time for NASA."

Chairman Calvert said, "I want to congratulate Dr. Griffin on his appointment as administrator of NASA.  President Bush could not have made a better selection.  His background in academia, technical research, government service and the private sector is just what NASA needs as we move forward with the President's Vision, commercial human spaceflight, unmanned robotic space exploration and returning the shuttle to flight.  I have every confidence that he is the right leader for the right time in NASA's future."