NASA administrator Griffin gives farewell speech

William Atkins
Saturday, 17 January 2009 18:53

Science - Space

Griffin adds his comments to NASA's place within the United States. He states, “NASA will look great, whether we are asked to return to the Moon and establish permanent presence there and go to Mars, as I think we ought to be asked to do, or whether we are asked to carry out some other task."

He adds, "We as an agency will look great if we put our efforts behind carrying out that task, whatever the task is that we are asked to do, with all of the spirit and the technical acumen that I know we as an agency can bring to that task.”

“So, in a time of transition, it is important to remember that job one at an executive branch agency and especially at NASA where we do carry out great enterprises, job one is to collaborate, to cooperate in carrying them out, and support whoever is next appointed to be the leader of the enterprise."

"If you can do that, that person will look good, and the agency will look good, and it is a win-win.”

“Our job is to produce the result that our legislators and elected officials ask us to produce."

"So I ask you to do that for the next head of the agency, as well as you have done that for me, and not for me, but in following our enabling legislation while I have been here.”

For the complete pdf file on Mike Griffin’s speech and concluding question-and-answer session, please go to Administrator Griffin’s Speeches and click on “01.16.09 - Administrator Griffin addresses employees at NASA Headquarters in Washington.”

For a biography of Michael Griffin, please go NASA's webpage "NASA Adminisrator Michael Griffin" and Wikipedia's webpage "Michael D. Griffin."