Sue Mathis Richard
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                      October 9, 1991
(Phone:  202/453-8364)


RELEASE:  91-169

NASA LEADERSHIP CONDUCTS INTERIM MEETING OF ROLES 
AND RESPONSIBILITIES


	NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly met today with senior 
NASA Headquarters and field center executives in Washington, 
D.C., to receive and discuss Deputy Administrator James R. 
Thompson's interim viewpoints on roles and responsibilities of 
NASA centers and Headquarters offices.  Truly had assigned this 
comprehensive review to Thompson earlier this year as a result of 
key recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Future of 
the U.S. Space Program.

	At the conclusion of today's meeting, Truly asked Thompson 
to discuss each proposal in greater detail with the appropriate 
managers and to report back to him in early November with final 
recommendations and a proposed implementation plan.

	"When J.R.'s review is completed, it will represent the first 
comprehensive look at NASA roles and responsibilities in over 10 
years,"  Truly said.  "The dialogue in today's meeting was 
excellent, and all of us are committed to a continually improving 
organization to achieve the nation's aeronautics research and civil 
space goals."

	Thompson's interim recommendations centered on 
reemphasizing NASA centers of excellence; a sharpened focus in 
science, engineering and technology; revising some 
responsibilities at Headquarters offices; streamlining both Space 
Shuttle and Space Station Freedom lines of authority; and 
improving overall NASA program management.  

	NASA's recently announced changes in Headquarters 
management and organization are consistent with Thompson's 
views, and reflect the resolve of NASA's senior management to 
strengthen the agency's overall efficiency and effectiveness today 
and in the future.

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