[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 154 (Thursday, November 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING DANIEL S. GOLDIN AS THE LONGEST SERVING ADMINISTRATOR OF THE 
             NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

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                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 8, 2001

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Dan Goldin, who is 
leaving his position as administrator of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration. Dan, who was appointed on April 1, 1992, is the 
longest-serving administrator in the history of NASA. On March 5, 2001, 
his time in office surpassed that of James Fletcher, who held the 
previous record of nearly nine years during two separate terms.
  As ranking member of the Committee on Science's Subcommittee on Space 
and Aeronautics, I have worked with Dan for many years. I have learned 
that his passion is not limited to the exploration of space. He also 
cares deeply about the possibilities of science and space to inspire 
life on Earth. I certainly know that many students in Middle Tennessee 
have been encouraged and inspired by Dan's vision for space 
exploration.
  Dan initiated his tenure at NASA by leading an agency-wide process to 
define a NASA Strategic Plan as the consensus definition of the 
agency's mission and goals. The core guidance in this document states: 
``NASA's mission success starts with safety. A commitment to safety 
permeates everything we do.'' Dan has not wavered in enforcing this 
priority in every aspect of the agency on the ground and in space.
  During Dan's tenure, the International Space Station went from the 
drawing boards to a fully functional, permanently staffed orbital 
research laboratory. He directed the Space Station redesign, holding 
together the coalition of international participants while 
incorporating the former Soviet Union hardware elements into the 
design. By developing the cooperative Mir research program with Russia, 
he enabled Space Station partners to conduct long-term space flight 
research even before the International Space Station was operational.
  Dan's comprehensive strategy for space exploration is exemplified by 
the ``Origins Program.'' He initiated this program with objectives to 
understand how the universe has evolved, to learn how life began on 
Earth, and to see if life exists elsewhere. He formulated a rescue plan 
for the installation of a ``contact lens'' on the Hubble Space 
Telescope, leading to startling discoveries of the cosmos. Dan has 
challenged the Origins scientists to search for Earth-like planets 
within 100 light years of Earth. He also has laid the foundation to 
complete the first scientific census of the solar system and to send 
the first probe into Interstellar space.
  Dan has been a vigorous proponent for increased exploration of Mars. 
He has established a series of robotic missions that will visit the 
planet every two years for the next decade and has assured that the 
public will share in the excitement of Mars exploration. His direction 
to provide Internet access for the Mars Pathfinder mission resulted in 
more than three-quarters of a billion ``hits'' from people tuning in to 
the site.
  In 1998, Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine honored Dan with 
the Laurel Award for outstanding achievement in aviation and aerospace. 
The award was presented along with the commentary that Dan has 
``delivered on his promise to reshape NASA into a model government 
agency.
  This year Dan was awarded one of one of France's highest and most 
distinguished honors: the ``Officer of the Legion of Honor.'' This 
award recognized his contribution to the development and broadening of 
American-French civil space cooperation through cooperative ventures 
including the International Space Station, Mars exploration, Earth 
observations, and the flight of French astronauts aboard the Space 
Shuttle.
  Under Dan's leadership NASA has reached out to honor the victims of 
last month's terrorist attacks in New York. The next mission of the 
Space Shuttle Endeavour will carry ``Flags for Heroes and Families.'' 
Thousands of American flags will be carried into space by Endeavor and 
its seven member crew and, upon return to Earth, will be distributed to 
the victims' families and survivors of the September 11 attacks.
  Dan always recognized NASA's potential to inspire students to elect 
careers in science mathematics and engineering. His personal leadership 
and the NASA programs that he supported have involved hundreds of 
students in hands-on research experiences. NASA's Summer High School 
Apprenticeship Research Program not only allows the students to 
actually participate in research, but it also pays them a salary as 
well. This intensive science and engineering apprenticeship program is 
specifically designed to attract and increase under-represented 
students' participation and success rates in mathematics, science, 
technology and engineering courses.
  Mr. Speaker, the nation is fortunate to have such outstanding public 
servants as Administrator Goldin. He has led NASA and its international 
partners in exploring the frontiers of space and inspiring benefits to 
life on Earth. Accordingly, it is appropriate today that we recognize 
and highly commend Daniel Goldin as the longest serving administrator 
of NASA and that we express our appreciation for his leadership of the 
nation's space program.

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