American Astronomical Society Endorsement
 
                 of the 

Committee on the Organization and Management

                   of

Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics Report

      "U.S. Astronomy & Astrophysics: 
       Managing an Integrated Program"

             October 1, 2001

The American Astronomical Society endorses the recommendations of the
recently completed report, "U.S. Astronomy & Astrophysics: Managing an
Integrated Program".  The AAS membership stands ready to support the
Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Science and Technology
Policy, and the federal funding agencies in implementing these
recommendations.

In the fiscal year 2002 budget summary document, the Bush
administration directed the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to establish a
Blue Ribbon Panel to assess the federal Government's management and
organization of astronomical and astrophysical research. These
agencies requested that the National Research Council carry out this
assessment and, in April, the NRC formed the Committee on the
Organization and Management of Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics
(COMRAA).  COMRAA's findings and recommendations were released on
September 4 in the above-mentioned report.

The AAS particularly endorses the recommendation that an interagency
Astronomy and Astrophysics Planning Board be formed. Coordinated
planning
for astronomy and astrophysics that involves all contributing federal
funding sources should maximize the scientific returns from facilities
both
on the ground and in space.

The AAS notes with approval the report's recognition that because U.S.
astronomy and astrophysics research is also supported significantly by
local, state, and private funds, a successful integrated strategy must
actively involve facilities which have emerged due to
these independent resources.  The report points out that the NSF is
well placed to lead such a public-private partnership, but would 
probably require budget enhancements to be most effective.

The AAS is also pleased to see the recommendation that a federally
chartered advisory committee for NSF Astronomical Sciences be
re-established. We believe that such a committee is invaluable in
maintaining strong links between the astronomical community and
NSF-AST.

The AAS is eager to assist in ensuring successful implementation of
the
COMRAA recommendations by providing, for example, forums for
discussion
and communication channels to the professional astronomical community.
The report's recommendations are challenging but could help facilitate
the vision for U.S. astronomy and astrophysics that is presented 
in the most recent NRC Decade Survey "Astronomy and 
Astrophysics in the New Millennium".