[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 943 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      February 6, 2008.
Whereas January 28, 2008, marks the 22-year anniversary of the tragic accident 
        of the space shuttle Challenger, Mission 51-L, and the loss of seven of 
        America's bravest and most dedicated citizens;
Whereas the space shuttle Challenger disaster occurred off the coast of central 
        Florida, at 11:39 a.m. on January 28, 1986;
Whereas the space shuttle Challenger disintegrated 73 seconds into its flight 
        after an O-ring seal in its right solid rocket booster failed at lift-
        off;
Whereas the seven-person crew on the shuttle included Commander Francis R. 
        Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialist Judith A. Resnik, 
        Mission Specialist Ellison S. Onizuka, Mission Specialist Ronald E. 
        McNair, Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis, and Payload Specialist 
        Sharon Christa McAuliffe;
Whereas Christa McAuliffe, a schoolteacher from Concord, New Hampshire, was on 
        board as the first member in the Teacher in Space Project;
Whereas the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) selected 
        Christa McAuliffe from a field of 11,000 applicants to be a part of the 
        Challenger crew and teach lessons to schoolchildren from space;
Whereas the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives 
        conducted oversight hearings on the Challenger disaster and released a 
        report on October 29, 1986, on the causes of the accident; and
Whereas the House of Representatives continues to support NASA and its ongoing 
        efforts to explore and educate the American public about space: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors the 22nd anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger 
        disaster;
            (2) celebrates the courage and bravery of the crew of the 
        Challenger, and Christa McAuliffe and her passion for encouraging 
        America's children to pursue careers in science and mathematics;
            (3) commits itself and the Nation to using the lessons learned in 
        inquiries into the space shuttle Challenger accident to ensure that the 
        space agency always operates on a strong and stable foundation; and
            (4) recognizes the continued dedication of the United States to the 
        goal of space exploration for the benefit of all mankind.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.