[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S3077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     2003 WOMEN IN SPACE CONFERENCE

  Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, I want to announce a very exciting 
event taking place this evening in my hometown of Aberdeen.
  Tonight, in conjunction with the 2003 Women in Space Conference, 
Northern State University will host NASA astronaut, Dr. Karen Nyberg. 
Originally from neighboring Minnesota, Dr. Nyberg received her 
undergraduate degree at the University of North Dakota and her 
doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas. After 
finishing her education she worked for NASA, where she was granted a 
patent for work done on a robot assembly. Dr. Nyberg also worked 
extensively on improving the internal thermal control system of the 
space suits used by the astronauts. In July of 2000, she was selected 
in to the astronaut program, and she is awaiting an assignment on a 
future space flight as a mission specialist.
  The tragic loss of the Columbia space shuttle on February 1 
demonstrated to all Americans the dangers inherent to space 
exploration. However, the exciting opportunities space exploration 
presents require us to push forward, take risks and broaden our 
horizons by emulating the courage and fortitude demonstrated by the 
crew of the Columbia. As the President stated in his address to the 
nation, ``Mankind is led into the darkness beyond our world by the 
inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand. Our journey 
into space will go on.''
  Thank you, Dr. Nyberg, for taking the time to visit Aberdeen and 
share your experiences and knowledge. To all the attendees and 
organizers, I wish you the best and congratulate you on what I am sure 
will be a successful and inspiring conference.

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