[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 222 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                          May 13, 2003.
Whereas on February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven 
        heroic astronauts were lost in a tragic accident;
Whereas the breakup of Columbia scattered debris over a large area of Texas, as 
        well as Louisiana, Nevada, California, and possibly other States;
Whereas the Federal Emergency Management Agency was designated the lead agency 
        for directing other Federal agencies in the recovery of the Space 
        Shuttle Columbia debris;
Whereas personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National 
        Aeronautics and Space Administration, the United States Forest Service, 
        the Environmental Protection Agency, and other agencies assisted in the 
        recovery of the Columbia debris;
Whereas personnel from State and local agencies assisted in the recovery of the 
        Columbia debris;
Whereas many citizens, including National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
        contractor personnel from multiple States, volunteered their time to 
        assist in the recovery of the Columbia debris;
Whereas two searchers perished and three others were injured in a helicopter 
        crash while searching for Columbia debris;
Whereas citizens of eastern Texas offered their whole-hearted support, both 
        physical and emotional, to the debris search teams; and
Whereas the combined efforts of all of these individuals and organizations 
        resulted in the collection of more than seventy thousand pieces of 
        debris, far more than was originally thought possible, providing 
        accident investigators with vital evidence that will assist in 
        determining the cause of the accident: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives does offer its gratitude on 
behalf of the American people to the thousands of individuals who worked 
tirelessly to recover the Space Shuttle Columbia debris.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.