This is historical material, "frozen in time." The web site is no longer updated and links to external web sites and some internal pages will not work.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release July 26, 2000

                    STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT
                   ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

     I congratulate NASA and the Russian Space Agency on the successful

docking of the Russian Service Module "Zvezda" to the orbiting elements of the International Space Station. The docking, which took place last night, makes possible permanent human habitation and continuous scientific research in space. It also heralds a new era in space cooperation as sixteen nations come together to advance the cause of humankind in the peaceful expanse of space.

As the Administration has said for years and this docking demonstrates, the Russians play an important role in this monumental endeavor, lending valuable scientific and engineering expertise to this effort. The International Space Station represents an important investment in America's long-term future in science and technology. Our work on the International Space Station is a wise application of U.S. leadership and a successful demonstration of international cooperation. I look forward to the arrival of the first international crew to the International Space Station later in the fall.

###