[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              PROCLAMATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 11, 1999

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following 
proclamation.

       Whereas, the emergence of African-American youth, 
     especially in Houston, Texas, who choose the aerospace 
     industries as careers continues to be of high priority; and
       Whereas, in an effort to inspire, enhance and embrace 
     information concerning African-Americans in space--NASA, 
     Marshall, Johnson & Torrey/Television, the Boeing Company and 
     PBS/KUHT-TV Houston Public Television have contributed to a 
     television broadcast to educate Houston youth; and
       Whereas, the focus of ``Journey: The Black Astronaut'' is 
     to document and celebrate extraordinary African-American 
     astronauts, both men and women, and their tremendous 
     achievements in the United States Space Program; and,
       Whereas, it is appropriate to recognize that Maj. Robert 
     Lawrence, Jr., from Chicago, who was killed in the crash of a 
     F-105 fighter during a training exercise on December 8, 1967, 
     six months after he was named to the Air Force's manned 
     orbiting laboratory program, is duly recognized as the first 
     African-American astronaut and is etched into history on the 
     Space Mirror at the Kennedy Space Center.
       Now, therefore, I, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, hereby 
     honor the African-American men and women of the United States 
     Space Program and proclaim that Wednesday, February 17, 1999 
     as Black Astronaut Day, in Houston, Texas and call upon all 
     residents of this great city to join me in supporting the 
     aerospace aims, goals, and dreams of African-American youth 
     all over the United States.

     

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