[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 111 (Monday, August 2, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H6767-H6770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE WITH REGARD TO SHUTTLE MISSION STS-
  93, COMMANDED BY COLONEL EILEEN COLLINS, FIRST FEMALE SPACE SHUTTLE 
                               COMMANDER

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 267) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives with regard to Shuttle Mission STS-93, commanded by 
Colonel Eileen Collins, the first female space shuttle commander.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 267

       Whereas Shuttle Mission STS-93 successfully deployed the 
     Chandra X-Ray Observatory;
       Whereas the Chandra X-Ray Observatory will provide 
     scientists from around the world with a better understanding 
     of the structure and evolution of the universe;
       Whereas Shuttle Mission STS-93 is the first mission in the 
     history of the United States space program to be commanded by 
     a woman;
       Whereas women continue to be underrepresented in the 
     science, engineering, and technology fields;
       Whereas the selection of Colonel Eileen Collins as the 
     first female space shuttle commander has raised the level of 
     awareness and appreciation of women's contributions in the 
     advancement of science; and
       Whereas Colonel Eileen Collins' accomplishments in the 
     United States space program have made her a role model for 
     women pursuing an education and career in scientific fields: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the crew of Shuttle Mission STS-93 and 
     honors Colonel Eileen Collins on being the first female 
     commander of a United States space shuttle;
       (2) recognizes the important contribution Colonel Eileen 
     Collins has made to the United States space program and to 
     the advancement of women in science; and
       (3) invites Colonel Eileen Collins and the crew of STS-93 
     to the United States Capitol to be honored and recognized by 
     the House of Representatives for their achievements.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Lofgren) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks on H. Res. 267.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, last Tuesday evening, Space Shuttle Columbia touched 
down at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The crew 
of Space Shuttle Columbia completed an important mission. A few short 
hours after launch, shuttle mission STS-93 successfully deployed the 
Chandra X-ray Observatory. With the launch of Chandra, we begin to 
explore the universe in new and exciting ways.
  Chandra will allow us to examine the hot, turbulent regions in space 
with images nearly 25 times sharper than previous X-ray pictures. The 
scientific promises that Chandra holds are far reaching and will have a 
significant impact on our understanding of how our universe operates.
  Yet beyond the scientific accomplishments of the recent shuttle 
mission, we rise today to celebrate a new turning point in history. 
STS-93 is the first-ever shuttle mission commanded by a woman, U.S. Air 
Force Colonel Eileen Collins. Colonel Collins has downplayed her role 
as the first female space shuttle commander. In her mind, she is just 
another astronaut, not unlike her male predecessors, who has worked 
hard and has been bestowed the great honor of commanding a U.S. space 
shuttle into space.
  In reality, Colonel Collins has emerged as a role model for all young 
women who aspire to one day follow in her footsteps or to pursue 
careers in other scientific fields. However, Mr. Speaker, a young girl 
watching the recent nightly news coverage of Colonel Collins' flight 
will not be able to command her own space shuttle flight unless she 
acquires the science and math skills necessary to succeed as an 
astronaut in the U.S. space program.
  Sadly, many young girls, and boys for that matter, are not receiving 
a quality education even in the most basic math and science courses. 
The release last year of the Third International Mathematics and 
Science (TIM) study revealed that American high school seniors, even 
our Nation's best students in advanced classes, are among the world's 
least prepared.
  We must expect more from our Nation's students with respect to math 
and science. Curricula for all elementary and secondary years need to 
be developed in a manner that conveys the excitement of science and 
math so that students are prepared to follow in the footsteps of 
Colonel Collins and her crew if they choose to do so.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Maryland 
(Mrs. Morella), the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Technology, and 
the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the ranking 
member of the Subcommittee on Basic Research, for introducing H. Res. 
267 for our consideration today.
  I congratulate Colonel Eileen Collins and the crew of Shuttle Mission 
STS-93 and urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 267.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to speak in support of the resolution to honor 
the accomplishments of Colonel Eileen Collins, NASA astronaut.
  As my colleagues know, she recently commanded the successful STS-93 
shuttle mission. As such she was the first female shuttle commander in 
the history of the United States Space Program. She completed the 
mission with distinction, and she and the rest of the crew are to be 
congratulated.
  By all accounts she has handled all of her assignments at NASA and in 
the Air Force with distinction, and she represents the best in service 
to our Nation.
  In addition, Colonel Collins is a valuable role model for young 
women. She shows them that the sky is not the limit if they study hard, 
work hard, and are willing to dream. Colonel Collins shows that 
determination can lead one to get ahead.
  She began her academic career at Corning Community College where she 
got a degree in mathematics and

[[Page H6768]]

 science. She went to get her bachelor's degree in mathematics and 
economics from Syracuse in 1978, a master's of science degree in 
operations research from Stanford University in 1986, and a master's of 
arts degree in space systems management from Webster University in 
1989.
  Colonel Collins had nothing given to her, but Colonel Collins worked 
hard and made a future for herself in the space program and as a role 
model for girls all over the country. She is just the person to help 
inspire more young Americans to seek benefits of a math and science 
education.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that Congress is planning to honor her with 
this resolution. Unfortunately, however, I believe that it risks being 
a hollow honor. On the one hand we will vote today to honor Colonel 
Collins for her accomplishments at NASA. On the other hand later this 
week, the majority is preparing to bring to the floor an appropriations 
bill that will cut NASA's budget by a billion dollars compared to 
fiscal year 1999.
  It is a bill that cuts the President's request for human space flight 
by a quarter of a billion dollars. The request for space science 
research is also cut by a quarter of a billion dollars. The request for 
Earth science research is cut by more than a quarter of a billion 
dollars. And the request for NASA's infrastructure budget for 
facilities, personnel, and so forth, is cut by almost a quarter of a 
billion dollars.
  I think that the majority is making a grave mistake. NASA has done a 
great job in streamlining its programs and delivering good value for 
the taxpayers' investment. We should be supporting NASA's efforts, not 
slashing its budgets while voting an 800 billion tax cut.
  I hope that we can restore the funding for NASA when the VA-HUD bill 
reaches the floor.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I share the concern of the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Lofgren) about the activities of the Committee on Appropriations 
relative to the NASA budget. And it was my hope that at least some of 
these funds can be added to the Committee on Appropriations mark 
between now and the time the VA-HUD bill comes to the floor.
  Let me state, however, that passage of the VA-HUD bill is necessary 
even at the lower amount if we are to avoid having a government 
shutdown of NASA as well as HUD and VA departments at the end of 
September. That I think is the worst of all possible alternatives.
  So we have to work together in a bipartisan basis to attempt to get a 
VA-HUD bill out of this House and over to the other body for its 
consideration as we continue working on giving NASA an appropriate 
appropriation.
  I would like to point out to the gentlewoman from California, 
however, that the mark that came out of the Committee on Appropriations 
for fiscal year 2000 is $700 million higher than the outyear budget 
that was submitted in January of 1996 by the Clinton administration. In 
other words, the Clinton administration's projections for the NASA 
budget for fiscal year 2000 was $700 million lower than the Committee 
on Appropriations mark which has been so roundly criticized.
  So I think that we ought to quit playing games with numbers, I hate 
to use these numbers to counter the numbers of the gentlewoman from 
California, and get on to the business of making sure that NASA has the 
funds to do its job.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago we celebrated the 30th 
anniversary of a tremendous moment in our history. Who can forget that 
first message from the surface of another world spoken on the morning 
of July 20th thirty years ago: ``Houston, Tranquility Base here. The 
Eagle has landed.'' These words, spoken by Neil Armstrong, marked the 
beginning of a new age for humanity.
  Through hard work and determination born of a national pride and 
international rivalry, the world saw one of our own safely journey from 
the Earth to the Moon. Just a short seven hours after that initial 
transmission from the Lunar Module, Neil Armstrong descended the ladder 
to the cratered surface. As he ventured away from the vehicle that 
brought him to that place, he again uttered words which will always be 
engraved in our national pride: ``That's one small step for [a] man, 
one giant leap for mankind.'' With that simple statement, the world 
changed. No harder a challenge has ever been issued, and no greater 
dream has ever been accomplished.
  As a testament of the possibilities that dreams present to us, I rise 
today to offer a resolution honoring another American hero. After two 
frustrating, but necessary delays, STS-93 finally launched early in the 
morning on July 23, and last Tuesday, the Space Shuttle Columbia landed 
safely at the Kennedy Space Center after the successful completion of 
its mission. On its 26th voyage to earth's orbit, Columbia launched the 
Chandra X-Ray Observatory. This marvel of technology will travel one 
third of the way to the moon and from that vantage point promises to 
unlock many secrets of the origins of the universe and the formation of 
galaxies, stars, and planets.
  As promising and exciting as this latest enterprise of exploration is 
to scientists and students everywhere, there is still a greater 
significance to this mission.
  The Commander of this mission, U.S. Air Force Colonel Eileen Marie 
Collins was born in 1956, just one year before the space race began 
with the Soviet launch of Sputnik 1. She grew up in the tense climate 
of the cold war, fully aware that, as demonstrated by Sputnik, the 
Soviet Union could launch a missile with enough force to threaten her 
home. No doubt she shared the apprehension that would spark the Space 
Race and see the United States play catch-up to the apparent dominance 
of the world's other Superpower.
  She just turned twelve when Apollo 8 made its 10 historic orbits of 
the moon on Christmas Day 1968, and I have no doubt she was among the 
millions who watched Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin 
make their voyage in Apollo 11 in the summer of 1969.

  She dreamed of being a test pilot and an astronaut, but it didn't 
come easy for her. Though women were early pioneers of flight, in the 
1930s fewer opportunities were open to women. It wasn't until the mid-
1970s that women became eligible for positions as military aviators, 
the traditional route to the astronaut program.
  Collins was working her way through community college during this 
time and earned a scholarship to Syracuse. She studied mathematics and 
economics, going on to later earn a Master of Science degree in 
operations research from Stanford University and a Master of Arts in 
space systems management from Webster University. In 1979, the same 
year Skylab fell out of Earth's orbit, she completed her pilot training 
for the Air Force.
  She became a flight instructor, and in 1983, when Sally Ride became 
the first American woman in space, she was a C-141 commander and 
instructor. As a test pilot, she eventually logged over 5,000 hours in 
30 different aircraft.
  She was selected as an astronaut in 1990 and became the first woman 
pilot of the Space Shuttle aboard the Discovery on STS-63 in February 
of 1995. Going into this past mission, she had already logged over 419 
hours of time in space.
  With her latest mission, however, she embarked on an adventure that 
marks another moment in history. She became the first woman commander 
of a mission to space.
  As Chair of the Subcommittee on Technology, I introduced the 
legislation that created the Commission on Women and Minorities in 
Science, Engineering and Technology working to reverse the 
underrepresentation of these groups in the sciences through better 
education and encouragement at all levels of learning. Through my work 
on the Science Committee, I have had the pleasure of meeting Col. 
Collins. I was impressed by her ``down to earth'' personality and sense 
of self in such an historical context. Commenting on the low number of 
women astronauts, she said, ``If you don't have large numbers of women 
apply, it will be hard to select large numbers of women.''
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution we debate today seeks not to compare 
this milestone to the triumph of 30 years ago, but to recognize wider 
possibilities. This latest mission is a signal to little girls 
who dream; space is there for them too. And the next time humankind 
endeavors to take another giant leap, it could well be a woman to make 
it.

  Mrs. FOWLER, Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
267, honoring Colonel Eileen Collins, our first female shuttle 
commander, and her crew on Shuttle Mission STS-93.
  While each new exploration into space remains a marvel of scientific 
ingenuity and the creative spirit, this mission is a truly special one. 
As we mark the 30th Anniversary of the greatest triumph of the American 
space program--mankind's first footsteps on the moon--we can see how 
far we have come. This latest shuttle mission deployed the most

[[Page H6769]]

sophisticated X-ray observatory ever built and will give us even 
greater opportunities to observe areas of the universe about which we 
still know very little, such as the remnants of exploded stars.
  Still more special, however, is that this 118 hour and 50 minute 
mission was the first commanded by a woman. Colonel Collins has four 
degrees in science and mathematics and spent three years teaching 
mathematics at the U.S. Air Force Academy, making her something of an 
anomaly in a society where so few of our young girls go on to science 
and mathematics course work in their secondary and post-secondary 
education. While much progress has been made over the past few years, 
there is still a disparity in the number of girls who go on to take 
advanced mathematics and science classes in high school and college. 
Similarly, women are less likely to pursue a science or mathematics 
degree in college or related career.
  This disparity is not caused by lack of achievement, as earlier 
science and math proficiency gaps between young boys and girls have 
narrowed and virtually disappeared. According to a recent National 
Science Foundation study on women's entry into science and engineering 
fields, one possible reason is the lack of female teacher role models 
in secondary schools. Colonel Collins may not be a high school teacher, 
but she is certainly a fine role model for aspiring engineers, 
astronauts, and mathematicians. In fact, both girls and boys can look 
up to her as an example of where science and mathematics can take us.
  I commend Colonel Collins for her pioneering role in America's space 
program and her crew for a job well-done.
  Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 267, to 
pay tribute to Col. Eileen Marie Collins, as the first female space 
shuttle commander. I congratulate her for her leadership and thank her 
for her efforts to improve our space program. Through her dedication 
she has become one of the most visible role models for girls in 
aeronautics and science today. Since 1978, when NASA hired it's first 
female astronaut, women have come to earn a place in the space program, 
peaking with Col. Collins' historic effort as the first female 
commander in NASA's 95 missions, commanding the space shuttle Columbia. 
With this mission she has earned a place in history alongside pioneers 
like, Amelia Earhart and Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the first 
woman in space.
  I had the good fortune to travel to Cape Canaveral on July 20th for 
this historic launch. Regrettably, safety precautions grounded the 
mission that day. However, on July 23, this mission was able to take 
place. What a proud day that was for Col. Collins, NASA and for the 
women of our country. She has persevered in a way that most of us can 
only dream of.
  Mr. Speaker, we all can remember the awe that we felt as children as 
we watched John Glenn, Neil Armstrong and their fellow astronauts, as 
they brought space discovery home to all of us. Thanks to Col. Collins 
an her colleagues, our children will also be inspired by brave 
Americans, who like Col. Collins, have dedicated their lives to the 
space program and improving our knowledge of the world around us. Once 
again I would like to congratulate Col. Collins and NASA on their 
successful mission in which they claimed a place in history and opened 
a new eye on the universe.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, on July 23, 1999 Col. Eileen Marie 
Collins, U.S.A.F. took one giant step for all womankind by serving as 
the first woman in history to command a space shuttle flight. I was 
privileged to fly to Cape Canaveral, Florida with the First Lady and 
the U.S. Women's Soccer Team on July 20, 1999 to watch the shuttle's 
first attempt. Although we were disappointed that the flight was 
delayed, we all marveled that just a few years ago events such as this 
one could not have occurred.
  Col. Collins was born in upstate New York, not far from my district, 
at a time when women were excluded from our nation's space exploration 
program. Col. Collins rarely ever missed an episode of Star Trek or 
Lost in Space according to her family. Along with her father, Col. 
Collins would watch the gliders soaring over Elmira hoping one day she 
too could fly.
  Eileen Collins dared to dream and her dreams became our dreams. Her 
efforts are inspiring young women and girls to tackle and excel at math 
and the sciences today. Col. Collins is blazing a trail that will 
undoubtedly be followed by future women astronauts. She has rendered 
outstanding service to her country and is a true role model to young 
and old alike. I would like to take this opportunity to commend and 
congratulate her on a tremendous accomplishment.
  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to join my 
colleagues in honoring Colonel Eileen M. Collins, the first American 
woman to command a mission in space. I congratulate Colonel Collins and 
her crew--Pilot Jeffrey S. Ashby and Mission Specialist Steven A. 
Hawley, Catherine G. Coleman, and Michel Tognini--on a very successful 
mission.
  On July 23, 1999, Colonel Collins made history when the Space Shuttle 
Columbia took off under her command with the heaviest payload in 
shuttle history. The objective of the mission--to deploy the Chandra X-
Ray Observatory--was flawlessly accomplished. A veteran of three space 
flights since becoming an astronaut in 1991, Collins has logged over 
537 hours in space. She served as pilot on her two previous shuttle 
flights in 1995 and 1997--in fact, she was also the first woman pilot 
of a space shuttle.
  The girls of today have some powerful role models to emulate, and 
Colonel Collins is one of the best. She has consistently excelled in 
fields dominated by men. Colonel Collins has demonstrated that there 
are no limits to what women can accomplish if given the opportunity. 
Her example will inspire more women to pursue careers in science and 
technology.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 
267, the resolution congratulating NASA on its successful Shuttle 
Mission STS-93, commanded by Colonel Eileen Collins, the first female 
space shuttle commander.
  Col. Eileen Marie Collins, who is originally from Elmira, New York, 
was selected by NASA in January 1990, and became an astronaut in July 
1991. She has an extensive resume at NASA. A veteran of three space 
flights, Collins has logged over 537 hours in space. She served as 
pilot on STS-63 (February 2-11, 1995) and STS-84 (May 15-24, 1997), and 
was the first woman Shuttle commander on STS-93 (July 22-27, 1999).
  Women have come a long way since Alan Shepard became the first 
American man to go into space in 1961.
  Women have faced numerous barriers when it comes to advancing in 
science professions.
  I cam remember when women were discriminated against in employment. 
We passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VII which prohibits 
gender discrimination in employment.
  I can remember when signs were put up advertising for a job but 
saying ``women need not apply.'' We passed the Civil Service Act in 
1973 eliminating weight and height requirements in federal jobs and the 
EEOC ruled that employers cannot discriminate against women.
  Today, women have been leaping bounds in professional careers. It 
seems that today there are no limits to the professional success of 
women.
  The selection of Col. Eileen Collins as shuttle commander is not only 
a product of her own hard work and effort, but a product of the rights 
which women have established for themselves. Col. Collins 
accomplishments in the U.S. space program have made her a role model 
for women pursuing an education and career in scientific fields.
  Women continue to be underrepresented in the science, engineering, 
and technology fields. The statistics paint a bleak picture:
  Women have historically been underrepresented in scientific and 
engineering occupations, and although progress has been made over the 
last several decades, there is still room for improvement.
  Female and minority students take fewer high-level mathematics and 
science courses in high school.
  Female students earn fewer bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees 
in science and engineering.
  Among recent bachelors of science and bachelors of engineering 
graduates, women are less likely to be in the labor force, to be 
employed full-time, and to be employed in their field than are men.
  Among doctoral scientists and engineers, women are far more likely to 
be employed at 2-year institutions, are far less likely to be employed 
in research universities, and are much more likely to teach part-time.
  Among university full-time faculty, women are less likely to chair 
departments or hold high-ranked positions.
  A substantial salary gap exists between men and women with doctorates 
in science and engineering.
  It is for all of these reasons that Col. Collins' accomplishment is 
all the more historic. The selection of Col. Eileen Collins as the 
first female space shuttle commander has raised the level of awareness 
and appreciation of women's contributions in the advancement of 
science.
  I would like to congratulate the crew of Shuttle Mission STS-93 and 
honor Col. Eileen Collins on being the first female commander of a 
United States space shuttle.
  In recognition of the important contribution Col. Eileen Collins has 
made to the U.S. space program and to the advancement of women in 
science, I would like to invite Col. Collins and the crew of STS-93 to 
the United States Capitol to be honored and recognized by the House of 
Representatives for their achievements.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 267.

[[Page H6770]]

  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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