[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 31, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E82]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE RETIREMENT OF MR. ED O'CONNOR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVE WELDON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2001

  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I honor a great American 
who has played a major role in our nation's space program. Ed O'Connor 
was selected in 1990 to lead the newly established Spaceport Florida 
Authority, and he retired late last year. It was his leadership, 
vision, and tireless energy that enabled Florida to preserve and secure 
its place in the world as ``the place for space.''
  Spaceport Florida Authority is a recognized leader among state 
spaceports, and it also plays a critical role in recruiting new space-
related industries to Florida. Through Ed O'Connor's leadership, the 
Authority gained international recognition as the first state agency to 
conduct space launches from its facilities, and has enabled historic 
partnerships between the State of Florida, NASA, the Air Force, and the 
commercial and academic space communities.
  His service to the space program, however, started long before then. 
He has a long and distinguished record of service to our nation in the 
United States Air Force, including directing the Search, Recovery, and 
Reconstruction Team supporting the Presidential Commission 
investigating the Challenger accident. Upon retiring from the Air Force 
in 1987, Colonel Ed O'Connor joined Martin Marietta as manager of the 
Commercial Titan Launch Program.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent Florida's Space Coast in the 
United States Congress, and I am honored to represent distinguished 
citizens such as Ed O'Connor who have given so much to our nation. 
While he will be retired, anyone who knows Ed doesn't expect him to 
slow down one bit. I'm certain he will continue to be a great source of 
knowledge and ideas for the nation's space goals.

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