Remarks by the Vice President Introducing the President at the Signing of an Executive Order on the National Space Council

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, good afternoon. Members of the Cabinet, distinguished members of Congress who join us, leaders in business and industry, honored guests, and especially three American astronauts who've joined us today -- Lieutenant Colonel David Wolf, Colonel Alvin Drew, and the second man on the moon, the legendary Colonel Buzz Aldrin. Welcome to the White House. (Applause.)

It's my great, great privilege on behalf of the First Family to welcome you all here today, and thanks to the vision of President Donald Trump, welcome to a new era of American leadership in space. (Applause.)

It's the greatest privilege of my life to serve as Vice President to a President who gets up every day to keep the promises that he made to the American people.

In his Inaugural Address, President Trump recommitted our nation to in his words "unlock the mysteries of space" once again. And today, President Donald Trump will take one more step to ensure that America leads again in the final frontier.

With the action he takes today, President Trump will bring a renewed sense of purpose to America's space policy that will benefit literally every facet of our national life. Just like it's done in the past.

And I'm honored and frankly enthusiastic about the role that the President has asked me to play in renewing our nation's commitment to space.

By the President's actions, we will strengthen our economy, we will unlock new opportunities, new technologies, and new sources of prosperity. We'll inspire our children to seek education in science, technology, engineering, and math. We'll enhance our common defense and advance the security of the American people.

But most of all, under President Donald Trump, American leadership in space will strengthen the American spirit.

Today, President Trump recommits us, as a nation, to do what Americans have always done -- to lead, to push the boundaries of human knowledge, to blaze new trails into the unknown and astonish the world with the courage and leadership of the United States.

So with gratitude for his inspiring vision, with admiration for his decisive action to renew American leadership here on Earth and in the boundless expanse of space, it is now my high honor and distinct privilege to introduce to all of you the President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump.