[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 14, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEBRIS COLLECTION 
        EFFORT FOLLOWING THE SPACE SHUTTLE ``COLUMBIA'' ACCIDENT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 2003

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 
222. This resolution commends those individuals who contributed to the 
debris collection efforts following the Space Shuttle Columbia 
accident.
  On the early morning of Saturday, February 1, 2003, just after 9:00 
a.m. a tragedy struck our nation. For the second time in 17 years we 
lost the crew of a Space Shuttle. This time it was the Space Shuttle 
Columbia, the oldest of America's four space planes.
  On board was a crew of seven courageous astronauts--six Americans: 
Colonel Douglas Husband, Commander William C. McCool, Astronaut Kaplana 
Chawla, Captain David M. Brown, Lieutenant Colonel Michael P. Anderson, 
Captain Laurel Blair Salton Clark, MD, and one Israeli: Colonel Ilan 
Ramon.
  The seven astronauts accepted this mission knowing the potential 
danger they faced. Despite the danger, they risked their lives and made 
the ultimate sacrifice in their dedicated efforts to advance our 
nation's space program. Each of these astronauts will be remembered as 
a pioneer and a hero.
  More heroes emerged in the days and weeks following the Space Shuttle 
Columbia accident. These heroes collected the debris and wreckage from 
the Space Shuttle Columbia. Among the debris collectors were National 
Guard Civil Support Teams from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, trained 
to handle the aftermath of terrorist attacks. Their training made them 
ideal experts for protecting the public from the toxic shuttle fuels. 
Also helping with the collection were Department of Public safety 
troopers, the National Forest Service, forest fire crews, and other law 
enforcement agency personnel.
  As impressive as the efforts of public agents was the self-sacrifice 
of the over 1,500 volunteers who helped with the search for debris. The 
volunteers are residents of Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Louisiana, 
and Texas. They hiked over and through thickets, briars, forests, 
marshes, muddy hillsides, creeks, and barbed-wire fences for over a 
week looking for debris. The volunteers braved near-freezing 
temperatures, gusting winds, sleet, and rain. They included teachers, 
NASA engineers, store-owners, and housewives.
  Brian Carpenter, a volunteer from Warren, Texas described his 
experience, and why he joined the search efforts. ``It's cold out 
here,'' he said, ``but knowing that the day will come when the 
astronaut's families will be able to smile and think about their loved 
ones with pride and without grieving, there's warmth in that.''
  Tracy Jones of Orange, Texas said, ``We want to give the families 
peace of mind. That's the only reason we're out here.''
  Mr. Speaker, I support H. Res. 222 to commend Brian Carpenter, Tracy 
Jones and all of the generous volunteers who helped to collect the 
Space Shuttle Columbia debris. I also support H. Res. 222 to commend 
the members of the National Guard Civil Support Teams from Arkansas, 
Oklahoma, and Texas, the Department of Public safety troopers, the 
National Forest Service, forest fire crews, and the other law 
enforcement agency personnel who sacrificed their time to collect the 
debris and bring a sense of needed closure to the grieving families of 
the astronauts. I commend everyone who helped with the debris 
collection efforts. They too are heroes.

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