[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 38 (Monday, March 30, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 30, 1998

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the town of 
Columbia, Illinois which will be celebrating Space Shuttle Columbia 
Day. The celebration will commemorate the launch of the namesake 
shuttle at Kennedy Space Center on April 16, 1998. The Space Shuttle 
Columbia is commonly referred to as OV-102, for Orbiter Vehicle-102. 
The Shuttle has completed 24 successful flights and has traveled nearly 
100 million miles. The crew of seven for the April 16 launch will carry 
the payload Neurolab and the astronauts will study the human nervous 
system in space. The mission will fly at an orbital inclination of 39 
degrees, passing over Southern Illinois and its namesake City of 
Columbia.
  As it flies over Columbia, the city will be displaying the Avenue of 
Flags and a commemorative space hologram postmark and envelope will be 
issued at the Columbia, IL Post Office 62236. A proclamation has also 
been issued by the City of Columbia, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, 
the USS Columbia (SSN 771) and the Commander and Crew of the Space 
Shuttle Columbia Mission STS-90. The original proclamation will be 
stowed onboard the Space Shuttle Columbia during its mission. The 
citizens of Columbia have signed oversized copies of the proclamation 
that will be sent as a show of support to the Shuttle Columbia crew.
  Eight community leaders including Mayor Lester Schneider, Ron Raeber, 
Curt Kopp, Roman Altgilbera, Franklin Kohler, Scott Simpson, Don Stumpf 
and Don Stumpf, Sr. will witness the launch as the Space Shuttle 
Columbia embarks on its 25th mission.
  Columbia is the oldest orbiter in the Shuttle fleet and is named 
after the sloop captained by Robert Gray. On May 11, 1792, Gray and his 
crew maneuvered the Columbia past the dangerous sandbar at the mouth of 
a river extending more than 1,000 miles. The river was later named 
after the ship. Gray also led Columbia and its crew on the first 
American circumnavigation of the globe.
  Other sailing ships have further enhanced the honor of the name 
Columbia, including the first US Navy ship to circle the globe. The 
City of Columbia also has a rich connection to the Navy and has a 
namesake submarine, the USS Columbia. The community was very involved 
in the namesake program and has participated in both launching and 
commissioning ceremonies.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging the City of 
Columbia's Space Shuttle Columbia Day and celebrating its namesake's 
historic 25th launch.

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