Nick Lampson talks with KFDM about top NASA job

The Houston Chronicle is reporting former Southeast Texas congressman Nick Lampson is on the short list for the job of NASA administrator and Lampson told KFDM News he'd be "honored to serve if asked."

According to the Chronicle, Lampson, 64, and former astronaut Charles Bolden Jr., a retired Marine Corps major general, are in contention for the $177,000 a year job.

The Chronicle reports seven Texans and seven other lawmakers recently wrote to President Obama expressing concern about the absence of a NASA administrator five months after the election.

Members of the Texas delegation have been writing letters in support of Lampson. They believe his knowledge of NASA and alliances in Congress could help NASA with funding.

KFDM News spoke with Lampson by telephone Thursday morning. He told us he hasn't been contacted by the Obama administration nor spoken with anyone in the administration about the NASA post.

"They are keeping it real close to the vest," said Lampson. I don't know anything about it. I'd be flattered if I were asked. I'd certainly give it consideration. I'd be honored to serve if I'm asked."

Lampson says he's aware that some time ago lawmakers wrote letters supporting him for the position.

The former congressman says he's now busy with several projects.

"I've tried to move on and work on renewable energy. I'm working with some companies in Houston on that. I'm working with the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children. I'm just doing the things I said I'd do and stay involved in my community."

That community is now Beaumont, not Fort Bend County.

"I'm a registered voter in Jefferson County and living in Beaumont."

Lampson told us he believes he has attributes that can help NASA if he were to be chosen as administrator of the space agency.

"I would like to think ten years on the committee that oversees space and aeronautics issues would give me a decent background in knowing how to streamline some areas," said Lampson.

"If you consider that the USA with its space vision in comparison to other countries-they have bigger goals. China has a plan to be on the moon."

Lampson says space exploration remains critical to our nation's future.

"Space impacts education, our ability to be technologically advanced, to encourage young people to go into math and science and technological areas of education. That's given us the ability to enjoy our standard of living."

Lampson believes NASA has a key role to play in those areas.

"There's lots that needs to be done and can be done through NASA. I'm on the board of directors of an organization called the Coalition for Space Exploration. Those are some of the things the organization is trying to promote. We know the advances we have as a nation technologically that have come from space science activities."

Lampson represented the Beaumont area in Congress for eight years. He lost his seat in 2004 when the district boundaries were redrawn. He returned to Congress in 2007 after former House Majority Leader Tom Delay resigned. Lampson lost to Republican Pete Olson of Sugar Land in November.