Leadership in the War on Terrorism – Leadership for America’s Space Program

Dana Rohrabacher takes a special pride in America’s victory on terrorism in Afghanistan. For years, Dana was a ferocious yet lone voice against the Taliban radicals in Afghanistan. After 9-11 he used his expertise and contacts to help mobilize a Northern Alliance in Afghanistan, which then, in concert with American Special Forces, drove Al Qaeda and the Taliban from power and out of their country. Dana was awarded a Royal Medallion by the King of Afghanistan for helping liberate his country from the Taliban. Furthermore, Dana has been one of the strongest Congressional supporters of America’s historic liberation of democratization of Iraq. At the same time, Dana has firmly backed President Bush’s roadmap to Middle East peace and strongly endorsed our President’s efforts to promote negotiations and compromise as a means to end the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. After President Bush’s historic speech outlining a long term space strategy for America, NASA Director Sean O’Keefe praised Congressman Rohrabacher’s leadership: "Most of the President’s strategy is just what you’ve been advocating. I bet you didn’t think that we were listening." As the Chairman of the Space and Aeronautics sub-committee, with jurisdiction over NASA, Dana has encouraged creative, innovative, and cost effective space related initiatives, including joint efforts between the Department of Defense and NASA. He has worked to create incentives for private investment in Space endeavors and fostered international cooperation in order to diminish the burden on our taxpayers. After the tragic loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia, Dana was a member of the joint House/Senate committee investigating the tragedy.