[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 98 (Monday, July 7, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S8895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               ART STEPHENSON'S EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I would like to take this moment 
to pay tribute to Art Stephenson, former Director of NASA's Marshall 
Space Flight Center.
  Mr. Stephenson joined Marshall in 1998, and has overseen the Center's 
work on critical NASA initiatives such as development of new reusable 
launch vehicles, Space Shuttle propulsion, advanced space 
transportation systems, research in microgravity, and science payload 
operations aboard the International Space Station, as well as the 
launch and continuing successful operation of the Chandra X-ray 
Observatory. Under his guidance the National Space Science Technology 
Center, a NASA partnership with local universities conducting cutting-
edge propulsion research, was established and ground was broken for the 
critical Propulsion Research Laboratory.
  For his exceptional contributions to the space program and the 
nation, Art Stephenson has been recognized with the NASA Outstanding 
Leadership Medal, the NASA Group Achievement Award, and the NASA 
Exceptional Achievement Medal. In 2001, he was awarded an honorary 
doctorate by The University of Alabama System and was selected by the 
American Society for Engineering Management as the 2001 Engineering 
Manager of the Year. In 2002, he received the Career Achievement Award 
from the University of Redland, CA. Most recently, he was selected as 
the 2003 Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Award recipient by the 
Huntsville, AL, chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He also 
received the 2003 Community Service Award from Oakwood College in 
Huntsville, AL.
  The multiple honors and awards Art received are an indication of his 
devotion to our country and his dedication to NASA. Without question, 
Art Stephenson is a man of honor and ability, and I would like to add 
my thanks to those provided by so many others. His work has been given 
to the success of the NASA programs and he has done so without ever 
seeking personal gain or glory. I have been extraordinarily impressed 
with his integrity and commitment to service.
  The State of Alabama, NASA, and the nation are immensely proud of 
Art's service. He will be missed by his colleagues at Marshall Space 
Flight Center and those at NASA Headquarters. Our Nation owes a great 
deal to the Stephenson family. Art's vision pushed us all toward the 
ultimate goal of space exploration. His vision and that goal are both 
worth noting today, and I am pleased to bring them to the attention of 
the Senate.

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