[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 446 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                          June 6, 2007.
Whereas Walter Schirra was born on March 12, 1923, in Hackensack, New Jersey;
Whereas as an exchange pilot with the 154th Fighter Bomber Squadron during the 
        Korean War, he flew 90 combat missions in F-84E jets and was credited 
        with downing at least one MIG fighter;
Whereas on October 3, 1962, Walter Schirra became the fifth person to fly in 
        space when he piloted Mercury 8 (Sigma 7) on a six-orbit mission lasting 
        9 hours, 13 minutes and 11 seconds;
Whereas on December 15, 1965, Walter Schirra piloted Gemini 6A in what was the 
        first attempted rendezvous by two manned spacecraft in earth orbit;
Whereas on October 11, 1968, he concluded his third and final mission when he 
        was launched as commander of Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission, 
        making Commander Schirra the only astronaut to fly aboard Mercury, 
        Gemini and Apollo spacecrafts;
Whereas Commander Schirra was the recipient of many distinguished awards, 
        including three distinguished flying crosses, two air medals, two NASA 
        Distinguished Services Medals and induction into the National Aviation 
        Hall of Fame;
Whereas after he retired to San Diego in 1984, Wally dedicated much of his later 
        years to working with children on connecting them to the amazing 
        possibilities that a career on space exploration could provide, and as a 
        tireless advocate for discovery, Wally was an inspirational figure for 
        countless San Diegans; and
Whereas Commander Schirra was an exemplary resident of the State of California 
        where he resided in La Jolla until the time of his death on May 2, 2007: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors the life and accomplishments of Astronaut Walter Marty 
        Schirra and expresses condolences on his passing; and
            (2) recognizes the profound importance of Astronaut Schirra's record 
        as a pioneer in space exploration and long-time contributor to NASA's 
        mission as a catalyst to space exploration and scientific advancement in 
        the United States.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.