Huntsville, Ala. - U.S. Representative Bud Cramer (D-Ala.) addressed Marshall Space Flight Center employees during an "All-Hands" briefing today.  Cramer joined Marshall Center Director Dave King to announce additional details and celebrate Marshall's new roles and responsibilities in NASA's Space Exploration Vision.

On Monday, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin announced that Marshall would lead NASA efforts on the Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) and the Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLLV).  Griffin said that Marshall employees will be responsible for achieving all CLV and HLLV objectives for NASA.

"I want to congratulate Dave King and the entire Marshall team on the roles and missions that they have earned," said Cramer.  "These critical responsibilities reaffirm what we already knew and have strongly advocated to NASA Headquarters, Marshall's unique capabilities are vital to NASA's exploration plans."

Cramer is a member of the House Science, State, Justice, and Commerce Appropriations Subcommittee.  His subcommittee is responsible for appropriating funds for the space agency and all other non-defense aerospace programs.  Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) is the Chairman of the Senate equivalent Appropriations Subcommittee.