[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 27 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E240-E241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     A SPEECH BY THE HONORABLE SEAN O'KEEFE, ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 2003

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to bring the words 
of NASA's Administrator Sean O'Keefe to the attention of the Members of 
the House. Speaking at the National Cathedral in a memorial service 
February 6, 2003, for the crew of STS-107, Mr. O'Keefe provided us with 
words of comfort that should be shared with all.

       SEAN O'KEEFE: To be an astronaut is to accept a lofty 
     calling. The seven daring souls who we grieve for today 
     represented the best of the human spirit. They did their 
     chosen calling proud and they had a special grace. Today we 
     pay tribute to the Columbia astronauts for what they did for 
     us in carrying on the great tradition of the select few we 
     call astronauts.
       For over 40 years these remarkable men and women who we've 
     all come to know proudly wearing their orange space suits and 
     blue flight jackets have played one of history's most unique 
     diplomatic roles, acting in peace for all mankind, they serve 
     as our good will ambassadors to the universe.
       Every time we send humans into space, our astronauts look 
     up to the starry firmament seeking to extend our horizons 
     throughout the vast expanse of God's creation. Our explorers 
     go forward into the unknown with hope and faith. As Commander 
     Rick Husband said, ``There is no way that you can look at the 
     stars, at the Earth, at the moon, and not come to realize 
     there is a God out there who has a plan and who has laid out 
     the universe.''
       In this magnificent cathedral, a portion of the lunar 
     surface brought back to Earth by moonwalkers Neil Armstrong 
     and Buzz Aldrin is encased in a precious stain glass window. 
     As we worship today in celebration of seven wonderful lives, 
     this glorious window reminds us that the exploration of space 
     will go on propelled by the human urge to strive, to seek, to 
     find, and not yield, and by our common faith in our Creator.
       Our astronauts also have another role. By pursuing research 
     to improve people's lives and expand our understanding of the 
     natural world, these brave individuals help pioneer the 
     future in ways undreamed by our ancestors. This was the noble 
     work that joyfully motivated our seven courageous Columbia 
     crew when they ascended to the heavens three weeks ago.
       Now some day due to our astronauts dedicated space 
     research, we may find better means of fighting cancer, of 
     life-saving drugs, helping our parents and grandparents stay 
     healthy throughout their lives. We will always thank the crew 
     of Columbia STS-107 mission for their passionate commitment 
     to this cause.
       Now, of course our astronauts count on all the talented men 
     and women of the NASA family represented here today. To help 
     advance these ambitious research objectives, they're amazing 
     people. Public servants who make up the NASA family. Everyday 
     our scientists, engineers, safety and support folks come to 
     work at all of our centers, thankful for the opportunity to 
     engage in such exciting meaningful work on behalf of the 
     American people, It is through their efforts that we are 
     making tangible progress in our quest to improve aviation 
     safety and efficiency, promote medical discoveries, probe 
     more

[[Page E241]]

     deeply into the universe, explore the planets and better 
     understand the dynamics of Earth's climate system.
       And while this is a difficult period for the men and women 
     of the NASA family, we will persevere. The support we've 
     received from the astronauts' families, from the President, 
     from the Vice President, and from the nation has been of 
     tremendous strength. We will not let you down.
       Throughout this period of mourning, the brave families of 
     the Columbia crew have been rocks of courage and dignity, 
     providing much comfort to the nation and it's inspiration to 
     us all.
       Dave Brown's parents, Paul and Dorothy, along with their--
     his brother, Dave, are here with us today leading, I'm told, 
     a very impressive contingent of the Brown family; as are John 
     and Ian Clark, Laurel Clark's family; and Master Sergeant 
     Jimmy Danielle, Mike Anderson's brother-in-law. To you and to 
     all the families of the Columbia astronauts, we thank you for 
     your incredible fortitude.
       To honor the legacy of the Columbia astronauts, we have 
     made a solid commitment to their families to find the cause 
     of the accident, correct whatever problems we may find, and 
     safely move forward with our work. Motivated by our mission 
     goals of understanding and protecting the home planet, 
     exploring the universe and searching for life, and inspiring 
     the next generation of explorers, we will make good on this 
     commitment.
       The last element of our mission, to inspire the next 
     generation of explorers is very important to NASA. It is a 
     passion of ours. And because of the memory of the gallant 107 
     crew has done so much to inspire our youth, our shining hope 
     for the future, to carry forth a torch of exploration and 
     discovery, we are forever grateful to the Columbia 
     astronauts.
       As you might imagine, NASA has received a tremendous 
     outpouring of condolences of the loss of the Columbia crew 
     from people throughout the world. It struck us often of folks 
     who pointed out the unique role that holds in many ways the 
     astronauts have on our young and young at heart. One gracious 
     letter came to us from Rosemary Callahan, the fifth grade 
     teacher in Arlington, Virginia's St. Charles School. She 
     wrote her letter after her students had thoughtfully taken 
     time to write their own letters of condolence, and we thank 
     them for their heartfelt gesture. In representing her 
     students, we're honored to have Rosemary here with us today.
       I'd like to read to you from her letter, which was written 
     on Monday. ``Today on the chalkboard I wrote the definition 
     of a hero. `A person admired for bravery, great deeds or 
     noble qualities.' In the wake of the tragedy of Columbia and 
     its astronauts, seven people have come to light as modern-day 
     heroes. But they were heroes, people of great character and 
     depth, long before Saturday. When profiled in the media, they 
     were recognized for their spirit, for intellect, with a 
     desire to learn and give to others, well-rounded people who 
     could function together as a team. People who grabbed at life 
     for the great and simple things. Indeed, they were the 
     best,''
       Rosemary concluded these words by writing, ``Our children 
     continue to need heroes. Real heroes. May your beloved 
     astronauts continue to inspire all as you move forward. Your 
     hearts are heavy now, but in time God grant you a light heart 
     again.''
       In this time of enormous sadness, these words from the Book 
     of Revelation are most comforting: ``And God will wipe away 
     every tear from their eyes.'' The writer speaks of those who 
     are at rest with God. These words also have significance for 
     us who are still here on our earthly pilgrimage. ``God will 
     wipe away the tears from our eyes.''
       Our hope is not ultimately a hope grounded in the progress 
     of human achievement, as remarkable as that may be, rather it 
     is a hope grounded in the Creator who calls Rick, Willie, 
     Michael, Kalpana, David, Laurel, Ilan and each of us by name. 
     May he have the faith to lift our eyes towards the heavens as 
     they did and find their God's peace.
       May God bless the crew of STS-107 and may he lighten the 
     hearts of their families and all who mourn for these valiant 
     heroes.

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