[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 23 (Friday, February 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE TO THE FAMILIES OF THE CREW OF THE 
                       SPACE SHUTTLE ``COLUMBIA''

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2003

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, these brave men and women, representing 
the best of America and the world, gave the greatest sacrifice for the 
betterment of humanity. They knew the risks of their heroic enterprise. 
Their courage is the finest example of human aspirations, of reaching 
up to create an undreamed-of future. They are true heroes. They pushed 
the limits of technological and human potential and in doing so 
inspired our Nation and the world. Their memories will long endure.
  Imagine a world with less air pollution, less dependence on oil, new 
fire suppression technologies, better earthquake resistant buildings, 
better weather prediction models, and better medical techniques to 
fight cancer, diabetes, and antibiotic resistance. This is the world 
the astronauts aboard Columbia were striving for. By carrying out more 
than 80 scientific experiments to expand our knowledge in these and 
other fields, the seven astronauts were tackling today's big issues 
with big science. They were pushing scientific boundaries to provide 
clues to issues we have been unable to resolve here on Earth.
  In my district resides the NASA Glenn Research Center, whose 
scientists were well acquainted with the seven shuttle astronauts who 
we lost in this tragedy. The crewmembers had traveled to Glenn several 
times a year for training on the scientific experiments. They were 
family to our NASA researchers in Cleveland.
  In their memory, we will push forward. We will continue to apply big 
science to resolve our big challenges. The scientists in Cleveland's 
NASA Glenn Research Center and across the Nation will strive for better 
solutions out of respect for the crew of Columbia. May they rest in 
peace.

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