[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E179]
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''

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                               speech of

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2003

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the men and women of the 
Space Shuttle Columbia. As our Nation grieves their loss, may we take 
solace in their dedication to science, their commitment to space 
exploration, and their love of our country. This tragedy has shed light 
once again on the great risk our astronauts take willingly in the 
exploration of space. Our Nation swells with pride in their 
breathtaking achievements.
  I salute Columbia's seven honorable astronauts, Commander Rick 
Husband, Pilot William McCool, Payload Commander Michael Anderson, 
Mission Specialist 1 David Brown, Mission Specialist 2 Kalpana Chawla, 
Mission Specialist 4 Laurel Clark, and Payload Specialist 1 llan Ramon 
of the state of Israel. Each served their country with honor and 
distinction. Their death has left a hole in our hearts and a deep void 
in the world of science. They will be sorely missed.
  As the Nation grieves, this tragedy was also a personal loss for the 
1,200 plus employees of Pratt & Whitney, a key partner in the 
exploration of space, located in Jupiter, Florida. Each astronaut, NASA 
official and employee, manufacturer, consultant and engineer are all 
part of an extended space industry family. Together they produce a 
product that is truly the envy of the world.
  The people at Pratt & Whitney are charged with the responsibility of 
engineering, manufacturing, assembling, and testing the 75,000 
horsepower main engine liquid-oxygen and liquid hydrogen turbo pumps 
that propel the shuttle through the deepest and darkest regions of 
space.
  We, in Palm Beach County, are proud of the role that Pratt & Whitney 
has had in making the program successful and safe and look forward to 
its continuing to engineer new space and propulsion state-of-the-art 
technologies as we leap into the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I Join my colleagues in offering my deepest condolences 
to the families of the Space Shuttle Columbia's crew, the NASA family 
located in Florida, Texas, and California, and the men and women of 
Pratt & Whitney.

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