On 27 May, the AGU Council unanimously adopted a position statement on NASA's strategic plan released in February 2005:c A New Age of Explorationc NASA's Direction for 2005 and Beyond. This strategy incorporates U.S. President Bush's vision for manned space flight to Moon and Mars as described in A Renewed Spirit of Discoveryc The President's Vision for U.S. Space Exploration announced in January 2004. The statement was drafted by a panel chaired by Eric Barron of Penn State University. AGU calls for the U.S. Administration, Congress, and NASA to continue their commitment to innovative Earth and space science programs. This commitment has placed the U.S. in an international leadership position. It enables environmental stewardship, promotes economic vitality, engages the next generation of scientists and engineers, protects life and property, and fosters exploration. It is, however, threatened by new financial demands placed on NASA by the return to human space flight using the space shuttle, finishing the space station, and launching the Moon-Mars initiative.