Honoring José Moreno Hernández, who served as a NASA astronaut and continues to be an inspirational voice on the importance of perseverance and a defining example of Hispanic American contributions in STEM.

Honoring José Moreno Hernández, who served as a NASA astronaut and continues to be an inspirational voice on the importance of perseverance and a defining example of Hispanic American contributions in STEM.

Whereas José Moreno Hernández was born on August 7, 1962, in French Camp, California to immigrant farmworker parents from Mexico;

Whereas José Moreno Hernández earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of the Pacific and a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of California-Santa Barbara;

Whereas José Moreno Hernández worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he helped develop the first full-field digital mammography system, improving early detection of breast cancer;

Whereas, after eleven applications for NASA’s Astronaut Candidate Program, José Moreno Hernández was selected in 2004 as part of the 19th class of NASA astronauts, demonstrating extraordinary perseverance and determination;

Whereas, on August 28, 2009, José Moreno Hernández rocketed into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery as part of the STS–128 crew, the 128th shuttle mission and the 30th mission to the International Space Station;

Whereas José Moreno Hernández and his crewmates conducted scientific experiments and supported extravehicular activities during their mission before returning safely to Earth at Edwards Air Force Base on September 11, 2009; and

Whereas José Moreno Hernández has since become a respected educator, author, and advocate for the next generation of Americans in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) recognizes José Moreno Hernández for his incredible career of service, his significant contributions to space exploration and scientific advancement, his advocacy for diverse representation in STEM, and his enduring story of perseverance.