Charles Bolden, picked by President Barack Obama, to lead NASA received wide-spread support as he testified on Wednesday, before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transport.
The former astronaut told the Senate Sub-Committee that, the agency must re-ignite American interest in the space program, much like the excitement that was felt when the nation was challenged to put a man on the Moon in 1969 or the early shuttle years.
Senator Lindsey Graham, one of two Republican Senators who introduced Bolden said that, “The President of the U.S. has chosen very wisely. Bolden is the right man at the right time, with the right skills it takes and character.”
Senator Bill Nelson, Orlando Democrat who also lobbied the White House in support of Bolden, told the committee that, “If anyone represents a characteristic that we admire–that beinig the characteristic of an overcommer—Charlie is that”.
Bolden who was raised in the segregated South, faced many challenges on account of his race and initially was denied entry to the Naval Academy.
The Committee is now to vote on Bolden and his deputy Lori Garver, following which their names would be sent to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.
If confirmed, as is widely anticipated, Bolden, 62, would become the first black Administrator of NASA.
