[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1313 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         July 10, 2008.
Whereas Sally K. Ride of Los Angeles, California, a physicist by training and an 
        accomplished athlete, was selected as a National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration (NASA) astronaut candidate in 1978, as part of the eighth 
        class of NASA astronauts and one of only six women in the class;
Whereas on June 18, 1983, Dr. Ride was lofted into space aboard the Space 
        Shuttle Challenger as part of the STS-7 crew, making her the first 
        American woman in space;
Whereas the STS-7 crew launched two communications satellites from the Shuttle 
        and accomplished many first steps for the United States space program, 
        including the first release and capture of a satellite using the 
        Shuttle's robotic arm, the first demonstration of a Shuttle's flight in 
        formation with a free-flying satellite, and the first United States-
        German cooperative material science experiments aboard the Shuttle, as 
        well as the conduct of other science experiments;
Whereas on October 5, 1984, Dr. Ride made her second spaceflight as a mission 
        specialist on STS 41-G, a mission that demonstrated the ability to 
        refuel satellites in orbit and launched NASA's Earth Radiation Budget 
        Satellite, which spent over 20 years providing valuable scientific data 
        on the Earth's absorption and re-radiation of solar energy;
Whereas when training for Dr. Ride's third spaceflight assignment ceased after 
        the tragic loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger and her crew in 1986, 
        Dr. Ride was called to serve on the Presidential Commission on the Space 
        Shuttle Challenger Accident;
Whereas Dr. Ride has continued to serve the Nation's space program with 
        distinction, authoring the 1987 report, Leadership and America's Future 
        in Space, and serving on the Columbia Accident Investigation Board;
Whereas, as an educator, author of children's books, and advocate for the next 
        generation of women in science, mathematics, and technology, Dr. Ride's 
        work has contributed to the wellbeing of our youth; and
Whereas Dr. Ride has worked tirelessly and passionately to encourage young women 
        to follow the sciences, mathematics, and technology by promoting science 
        festivals, camps, and other opportunities through which young women can 
        acquire hands-on learning about science: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) celebrates the 25th anniversary of Dr. Sally K. Ride as the 
        first American woman in space; and
            (2) extends its appreciation and gratitude for Dr. Ride's excellence 
        in service to the Nation as an astronaut, educator, and advocate for the 
        next generation of women scientists and engineers.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.