[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 135 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H11359-H11360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SHANNON LUCID, WE SALUTE YOU

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. At 8:14 eastern standard time today, on 
September 26, 1996, the American people owe a great tribute to Shannon 
Lucid. For some 6 months, some 188 days, Shannon Lucid sacrificed her 
friendships, her family, to participate in one of the greatest 
scientific experiments that an American can participate in, spending 
that amount of time in space. A tribute to her because she did it on 
behalf of the American people.
  The results of the 180-day stay will contribute much to medicine and 
space science, and NASA now has a multitude of information and 
opportunity to determine if human beings, if Americans, can last in 
space.
  The isolation that she experienced, no one could imagine, but she 
will provide much data for years to come. NASA represents the work of 
the 21st century. Shannon Lucid contributed to that a multitude of 
information. What a great American, a great scientist, a great 
astronaut.
  Shannon Lucid, we salute you.
  Mr. Speaker, I speak this morning to salute the heroism, bravery, and 
toughness of American astronaut Shannon Lucid. At 8:13 a.m. eastern 
standard time this morning, the space shuttle Atlantis touched down at 
the Kennedy Space Center, ending Ms. Lucid's recordbreaking 6-month-
long stay in Earth orbit on Russian Mir space station.
  I salute Ms. Lucid's resolve in the face of the seemingly unending 
series of delays in returning her to her family, friends, the planet we 
call home. While she was on Mir, Shannon, conducted invaluable 
scientific research in many areas, helping to further our understanding 
of physics, materials science, and how humans live and work in space. 
Although she was never alone during her stay with the two other Russian 
cosmonauts and enjoyed this experience of a lifetime. I am sure that 
she is overwhelmed with joy and happiness to finally be coming home.

[[Page H11360]]

  For my colleagues here in Congress and every American throughout the 
Nation, I reiterate the words of Mission Control upon Atlantis' return, 
``Welcome home, Shannon, we are proud of you.''

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