Congressman Tom DeLay’s resignation announcement came at the same time than many of the movers and shakers in the space community were in Colorado Springs for the Space Foundation’s annual National Space Symposium. According to a SPACE.com article, those in attendance heaped praise on DeLay, even those from the other side of the aisle. Take this comment from Rep. Mark Udall, the ranking Democrat on the House Science Committee’s space subcommittee: “Tom DeLay, in whatever areas you might have a disagreement with him, was very active in [space]. We saw that in the NASA authorization process… the seniority and the clout he has will not be easily replaced.” NASA administrator, who was caught in a minor controversy last week when he appeared to endorse DeLay’s reelection effort, noted in a brief statement that “I very much appreciate the support NASA has receive from Congressman DeLay and wish him well in the future.”
Even though DeLay will be leaving Congress before the FY07 budget is completed (or even started in earnest), Udall believes that DeLay’s influence will linger: “He still has influence, he still has friends, and he is still, I believe, committed to the space program. There will be sentiments in the House to do the right thing by Mr. DeLay.”
