WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) led a bi-partisan group of senators today in marking the 50th anniversary of the nation’s space agency. The senators in a resolution called for renewed support of the program to maintain America’s position as the world’s leader in space, science and technology.

It was 50 years ago Tuesday that President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the law creating the National Aeronautical and Space Administration – an agency that has seen its ups and downs over the years but that has landed men on the moon, and explored the vast reaches of our solar system and universe.

Lately, NASA has been faced with dwindling budgets thanks in large part to cuts by the Bush administration. And the agency is struggling to transition from the scheduled retirement of the space shuttles in 2010 and the launch of its replacement craft in 2015. Meanwhile, the U.S. is facing stepped-up competition from emerging space-faring nations such as China, India and Japan.

“Today we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of NASA. I am so proud of the men and women of NASA who have made amazing discoveries in earth and space science, aeronautics and exploration. That’s why I am fighting so hard for the funding the agency desperately needs to continue to meet its mission,” said Senator Mikulski, Chairwoman of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee that funds NASA. “NASA saves lives and saves the planet. I continue to call on my colleagues to join my fight for NASA’s future.”

In remarks prepared for delivery on the Senate floor Tuesday, Nelson said now is not the time for America to cede its leadership in space exploration.

“As President Kennedy promised all those years ago, science and education have been greatly enriched by new knowledge of our universe and environment; and, life here on Earth has improved by leaps and bounds from new space tools and computers adapted for industry, medicine and the home,” Nelson said. “America’s space effort also has created scores of new companies and hundreds of thousands of new jobs. Simply put: we all reap the harvest of gains from our exploration of outer space.”

Nelson called on his Senate colleagues to, again, be a bit “overwhelmed” and “dazzled” by the pioneering spirit.