[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 11 (Tuesday, February 3, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H258-H263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SORROW ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE ``COLUMBIA''
ACCIDENT
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 507), expressing the profound sorrow of the
House of Representatives on the anniversary of the accident that cost
the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia their lives, and extending
heartfelt sympathy to their families.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 507
Whereas February 1, 2004, marks the one year anniversary of
the accident that claimed the Space Shuttle Columbia and the
lives of seven heroic astronauts that made up its crew;
Whereas, while in orbit, Columbia's experienced crew
conducted important microgravity research into the life
sciences, physical sciences, and space and earth sciences, in
addition to promoting education initiatives;
Whereas the Columbia experienced a structural failure that
resulted in its destruction over the States of Texas and
Louisiana as it approached to land on February 1, 2003;
Whereas the seven crew members of STS-107, Rick D. Husband
(Commander), William C. McCool (Pilot), Michael P. Anderson
(Payload Commander), Kalpana Chawla (Mission Specialist),
David M. Brown (Mission Specialist), Laurel B. Clark (Mission
Specialist), and Ilan Ramon (Payload Specialist) exhibited
unparalleled bravery and commitment to the goal of exploring
space and advancing mankind's search for knowledge in the
cosmos;
Whereas Rick Husband, 45, was a Colonel in the United
States Air Force, a test pilot, and a veteran of STS-96, and
held degrees from Texas Tech University and California State
University, Fresno;
Whereas William C. McCool, 41, was a Commander in the
United States Navy and test pilot, and held degrees from the
United States Naval Academy and the University of Maryland;
Whereas Michael P. Anderson, 43, was a Lieutenant Colonel
in the United States Air Force, a former pilot instructor and
tactical officer, and a veteran of STS-89, and held degrees
from the University of Washington and Creighton University;
Whereas Kalpana Chawla, 41, was an aerospace engineer, a
Federal Aviation Administration Certified Flight Instructor,
and a veteran of STS-87, and held degrees from Punjab
Engineering College (India), the University of Texas at
Arlington, and the University of Colorado, Boulder;
Whereas David M. Brown, 46, was a Captain in the United
States Navy, a naval aviator, and a naval flight surgeon, and
held degrees from the College of William and Mary and Eastern
Virginia Medical School;
Whereas Laurel B. Clark, 41, was a Commander in the United
States Navy and naval flight surgeon, and held degrees from
the University of Wisconsin, Madison;
Whereas Ilan Ramon, 48, was a Colonel in the Israeli Air
Force, a fighter pilot, and Israel's first astronaut;
Whereas these brave astronauts will never be forgotten by
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration family and
all those who believe in the importance of exploring our
universe; and
Whereas when the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration's Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Spirit landed
on Mars on January 3, 2004, it brought with it a small
commemorative plaque bearing the names of the seven
astronauts, establishing an enduring memorial on another
planet to the fallen crew of Space Shuttle Columbia: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives does offer its
gratitude to the seven Space Shuttle Columbia astronauts and
its heartfelt sympathy to their families on the anniversary
of their loss, with the reassurance that this sacrifice will
not have been made in vain, but will strengthen this Nation's
resolve to continue their journey of discovery.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Burgess) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess).
General Leave
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 507.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
majority leader of the House of Representatives, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. DeLay).
Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Burgess) for bringing this very important resolution to the floor of
the House.
Mr. Speaker, we can still see their faces. Their friends can still
hear their hearty laughter. And their families can still feel their
embrace. At every mention of their names or reminder of their courage,
our hearts ache with the hollow pangs of mourning and our thoughts and
prayers turn to their loved ones. For there is no loss like the loss of
a hero. And 1 year ago our Nation and our world lost seven.
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Though they came from different nations, practiced different faiths,
and sought answers to different mysteries, the winding road of
providence brought them all to one place on earth where their common
calling could be answered. They came to Johnson Space Center.
And there, at America's great laboratory of the impossible, they
trained and studied, alongside the finest collection of public servants
that I know, inching ever closer to their dreams and their destiny. And
though we still mourn 1 year later, it is their lives that we honor in
this resolution, not their loss.
Columbia's ``corps of discovery'' may be gone, but death has no power
over the memory of heroes. It is left to us, then, in this House and in
this Nation to live up to the challenge their lives of service issued:
Will we carry on America's mission in space or will we ignore our
deepest yearnings for knowledge and tether mankind to ``the surly bonds
of earth''? I think we know what the Columbia seven would say.
And if there be any doubt, just walk outside on a clear night, look
into the southern sky and ask them.
For immortal in death, the Columbia heroes live on at home in the
heavens, among the ancient stars that first stirred their souls,
looking down on us all with love and hope, lighting our way through the
darkness. They will answer you.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I come to this floor today just as I did a year ago,
unfortunately, with a feeling of sadness.
I am an original cosponsor of this resolution that is before us
today, House Resolution 507, because I believe that it is important
that we never forget the sacrifices made by the brave and dedicated men
and women of STS-107: Rick Husband, William McCool, Michael Anderson,
Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, Laurel Clark, Ilan Ramon. Each one of them
gave the last full measure of devotion to the cause of space
exploration.
There have been numerous ceremonies over the past few days to
remember the crew of Columbia, including yesterday's memorial service
at Arlington Cemetery. I think it is important for this body as well,
the United States House of Representatives, also to pause in our
deliberations to express again our profound gratitude for their service
and our deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones on the
anniversary of their deaths.
Back home, the space shuttle and the International Space Station take
on a very personal dimension. All the astronauts in the NASA program,
including the seven aboard the Columbia, are a part of our community.
They are our friends, our neighbors. Their kids go to schools with our
kids. They shop at the same grocery stores and pray at the same
churches and synagogues.
The employees and contractors of Johnson Space Center are connected
to the astronauts not just at work but in their everyday life. The
community at JSC is an extended family.
Amidst all the lofty talk, ceremonies, and resolutions, let us not
forget that a community and seven families lost friends, brothers,
fathers, sons, wives, sisters, mothers, and daughters. Back in Clear
Lake, right off the campus of JSC, there is a place called Frenchie's.
It is a place where astronauts and employees go after work to relax a
bit, have a meal or something, share their experiences and bond in a
very special way.
I stopped by there the Saturday evening after the Columbia tragedy,
and that day there was a feeling of crushing sadness and loss but also
a hope that the vision and dream that those seven heroes died for will
not be lost but instead will be reborn, that their loss will remind the
American people of the great challenge we face and the prospect of a
better world that the space program gives us.
The crew of STS-107 would not want us to dwell only on their deaths.
Instead, I believe they would want us to reflect on the cause for which
they gave their lives: the exploration of space. And I have no doubt
that they would want us to rededicate ourselves to the task of ensuring
that this Nation continues that exploration.
It is unfortunate that it took the Columbia tragedy to remind many of
our citizens that space flight is not routine, it is hard. It is
dangerous. The crew of Columbia knew that and yet they did not cease
from exploring. Neither should we.
We have serious work to do over the next coming months in determining
the best path for our America's space program. There are likely to be
strong opinions and differing views on how best to proceed. And that is
all to the good. America's space program is too important to the future
of this country for us not to give it serious attention.
I welcome the discussion and debate as long as it leads to some clear
decisions and commitments by both the Congress and the White House.
However, that is not a task for today. Today we pause to remember the
crew of STS-107, to offer our condolences to all who loved them.
I speak today not just as a Member of Congress, but as part of a
community that firmly believes in what Rick Husband and William McCool
and Michael Anderson and David Brown and Kalpana Chawla and Laurel
Blair and Ilan Ramon gave their lives for.
On behalf of the Ninth District of Texas and the people of the
Johnson Space Center and that community, I urge this country and this
body to go forward, and I urge my colleagues to join us in support of
H. Res. 507.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, on January 16, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia lifted
off from Kennedy Space Center on a 16-day mission. The mission would
take the Columbia seven astronauts on a journey of over 6 million
miles. While in orbit the STS-107 conducted important microgravity
research in areas that would impact the lives of all mankind.
{time} 1430
Mr. Speaker, like many who live in north Texas, I was home in the
district that weekend, and I will never forget the sonic boom, a sonic
boom that was more felt than heard, that morning in north Texas. When
Columbia broke up in the Texas sky on the morning of February 1, 2003,
the seven astronauts aboard were 16 minutes from home, 16 minutes from
completion of a successful mission, 16 minutes from once again seeing
their loved ones.
The final comm check to Columbia from mission control at Johnson
Space Center went unanswered. The families awaiting the crew's return
at Kennedy were welcomed by an empty sky.
For those looking up at the north Texas sky that morning, it was
painfully evident that something had gone terribly amiss.
Today it is our duty to honor the seven brave astronauts who perished
in the Shuttle Columbia accident a little over a year ago. The crew
included Commander Rick Husband, Pilot William McCool, Payload
Commander Michael Anderson, Mission Specialist David Brown, Mission
Specialist Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist Laurel Blair Salton
Clark, and Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon.
Knowing full well the dangers of space flight, they faced them
willingly. Because of their courage, we will miss them even more.
During the past year NASA has undergone a serious investigation in
the causes of this accident. And over the last year the agency has
learned from its tragedies as well as its triumphs. The recent success
of the Mars Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, show that the United States
is a leader in space exploration. But we must remember that failures in
this realm can often have very human consequences. Since the loss of
Columbia, the President and Congress have been working to map out a
clear mission for NASA and to restructure human space flight programs
around that mission. As we continue this process, we cannot afford to
forget the memories of the seven Columbia astronauts that fateful day.
Yesterday, the Administrator of NASA, Sean O'Keefe, dedicated a
memorial to the Columbia astronauts at Arlington National Cemetery. In
a place dedicated to fallen liberators and defenders of freedom, it is
a fitting memorial to honor those who gave their lives in pursuit of
knowledge and in pursuit of discovery.
President Bush has said the cause of ``exploration and discovery is
not an option that we choose. It is a desire
[[Page H260]]
written into the human heart. We find the best among us, send them
forth into unmapped darkness, and pray that they will return. They go
in peace for all mankind and all mankind is in their debt.''
Our sympathies go out to the grieving families and, indeed, the
sympathies of this body and of a grateful Nation. It is an honor to
stand here today to honor the sacrifices of these explorers.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman
from Houston, Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), who represents many of the
friends and family of the lost crew members of the STS-107.
(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Lampson) very much. And might I take a personal point of
privilege to congratulate the gentleman as the new ranking member of
the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics of our very great committee,
the Committee on Science.
Let me also thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) for his
leadership in allowing us to come to the floor today and join in a
bipartisan manner of celebration but also commemoration.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 507 enthusiastically but
with some sorrow and some recognition. Allow me to acknowledge that day
as one of public and global shock. And so we continue to mourn publicly
and globally, not just in the United States, but around the world.
As my good friend and colleague said, these were our friends and
neighbors, those of us who came from Houston. We knew them as they
worshipped, as they have practiced their trade, but also as they
played. So I rise in support of this resolution and commend my
colleagues from Texas for taking the time to honor the crew of the
Space Shuttle Columbia who lost their lives a year ago.
When the Columbia went down the world lost a great symbol of human
ingenuity and creativity. Those of us from Houston, as I said, lost
friends and neighbors and, of course, family members and brothers and
sisters, mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles and a myriad of
relationships.
I would like to look back one more time on what we have lost, seven
of humankind's greatest heroes, Colonel Rick Husband, Lieutenant
Colonel Michael Anderson, Commander Laurel Clark, Captain David Brown,
Commander William McCool, Dr. Kapana Chawla, and Colonel Ilan Ramon.
Let me also acknowledge the thousands upon thousands of NASA
employees around the Nation. I know they mourn and I know they care as
they are caring and mourning at this time. I also want to pay special
respect to Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Husband, who graced our presence on
Sunday, February 1, in their words and remarks at Grace Community
Church, again, a place of honor for those two men, along with their
colleagues where they attended and where I was able to worship with
them just a year ago as we honored and mourned those great fallen
heroes.
Those seven courageous explorers paid the ultimate price to improve
our understanding of the universe, to advance our medical and
engineering services, to keep the United States' economy on the cutting
edge of technology, and to inspire young and old.
We look forward to this budgeting process where we hope the President
will join us by using his economic and engine arm, if you will, to push
the vision forward by the right appropriations for what we may need to
do.
Mr. Speaker, I am also a proud cosponsor of this resolution as was
noted. I thank the sponsors who are on the floor in joining with 238 of
my other colleague who have joined me in cosponsoring the bill to award
the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to the seven members of the
Columbia crew.
I ask my colleagues to join us in signing on to this resolution, to
give to the families a special Congressional Gold Medal that they can
hold and pass down to their children and generations to come.
This gold medal would honor the families of the crew members by
awarding them this particular tribute, and it would also require the
Secretary of the Treasury to make bronze duplicates of that medal
available for sale to the public to serve as an enduring reminder of
the sacrifice of these brave pioneers. That means that they can have
something that will add investment to the future of space.
NASA is a source of dreams for our young and old alike, providing
insights into the origins, destiny and wonder of our universe. In
pursuing the noble goal of exploration, NASA also conducts scientific
space-based research, develops innovations that save lives, spur our
economy and keep us on the cutting edge of technology. NASA has
developed systems that make our satellites and communications
infrastructure more reliable and less vulnerable to cyber-terrorism.
NASA inspires young engineers and scientists. In essence, Mr.
Speaker, NASA is worthy of our support. It is worthy of the vision. Let
us support NASA as we go into 21st century.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, and commend my
colleague from Texas for taking the time to honor the crew of Space
Shuttle Columbia, who lost their lives a year ago. When the Columbia
went down, the world lost a great symbol of human ingenuity and
creativity. Those of us from Houston also lost friends and neighbors
that day. I would like to look back one more time on what we have
lost--seven of humankind's greatest heroes: Colonel Rick Husband,
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Anderson, Commander Laurel Clark, Captain
David Brown, Commander William McCool, Dr. Kapana Chawla, and Colonel
Ilan Ramon. Those seven courageous explorers paid the ultimate price to
improve our understanding of the universe, to advance our medical and
engineering sciences, to keep the United States economy on the cutting
edge of technology, and to inspire young and old alike.
Mr. Speaker, I am a proud cosponsor of this resolution, and would
also like to thank Mr. Burgess for joining with 238 other Members of
Congress in cosponsoring a bill I have introduced, which would
posthumously award the seven members of the Columbia crew with the
Congressional Gold Medal. It would honor the families of the
crewmembers, but it would do more than that. It would also require the
Secretary of the Treasury to make bronze duplicates of that medal
available for sale to the public, to serve as an enduring reminder of
the sacrifice of those brave pioneers. I am sure sales of those
medallions would more than pay for the cost of producing the Gold
Medals. I hope to see that bill go forward soon, as we continue to
focus on the Columbia, what it meant to us, and what it means to our
future.
NASA is a source of dreams for our young and old alike, providing
insights into the origins, destiny, and wonder, of our universe. In
pursuing the noble goal of exploration, NASA also conducts scientific
space-based research, develops innovations that save lives, spur on our
economy, and keep us on the cutting edge of technology. NASA has
developed systems that make our satellites and communications
infrastructure more reliable and less vulnerable to cyberterrorism.
NASA inspires young engineers, scientists--and all sorts of people who
want to a part of something truly great and noble--to push their minds
to new levels of excellence. These people become role models for future
generations of intellectual pioneers.
The astronauts aboard the Columbia were of the highest caliber,
exemplifying our Nation's pioneering ideals and always striving for
excellence. They were skilled professionals, scientists, clinicians,
and adventurers. They were family men and women, and we will cherish
their contributions to our country and the world. The crew of the
Columbia represented the diversity of our Nation, and our spirit of
collaboration with other nations.
We honor the seven members of the crew for their heroism and spirit.
We pay tribute to the sacrifices made by these men and women on behalf
of the country. They helped mankind reach new heights. As we look back
with sorrow on what we lost a year ago, I hope we can also celebrate
the great accomplishments and spirit of the Columbia crew.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Boehlert), the chairman of the Committee on Science.
Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Texas for
introducing this resolution and for calling attention to the memory of
great Americans and an Israeli.
Husband, McCool, Anderson, Brown, Chawla, Clark, Ramon, One year
after their tragic deaths, their names remain seared in our national
memory.
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Of course, their loss is felt most deeply by those who call them
mother, father, husband, wife, neighbor, friends; but they are an
inspiration to us all. Their deaths have not been in vain. They have
prompted young people to think about what they can be when they grow up
and about how Americans take great risk in striving for great
achievement.
Our Nation's space program is built on the dreams and aspirations of
an exploring people willing to take risk. This Congress is proud of our
explorers, those who have returned and those few whom fate has held
back.
With this resolution we honor the seven men and women who flew the
Shuttle Columbia's final fateful mission. They will never be forgotten.
Their memory will live in the hearts and minds of all Americans, and
explorers throughout the world will always think of them as they gaze
towards the heavens with wonder and amazement and awe.
Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman
from Dallas, Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), in whose district some
of the shuttle actually came down.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me hasten to
thank the leaders of this resolution and all of the cosponsors and our
esteemed leaders of the committee.
I rise today in support of House Resolution 507, expressing the
profound sorrow of the House of Representatives on the anniversary of
the accident that cost the lives of the crew of the Space Shuttle
Columbia.
Let me express my appreciation to all of the members of the committee
that has been nonpartisan and cohesive in considering all of our
concerns coming before that esteemed committee.
I am very certain that the lives of these people have not been lost
in vain. This space exploration research program has been one of the
most successful research programs in the history of our country. We
know that because we have investigated, we have listened to reports
that we will improve upon what caused this accident, and we can
hopefully say that this will never happen again.
Over 40 years ago the foresight of persons that came along before us
caused us to get into this type of research. We also owe those leaders
some homage for their foresight, and I am hoping that we will then have
the foresight to continue the research.
Human space exploration is inherently risky. Distance, speed and
environment that cannot support human life combine to make human space
flights particularly precarious. Unfortunately, the world has new
evidence of the dangers associated with space exploration. Millions
watched as images of a singular, brilliant point of light in the sky
became two, three and four points of light as the Space Shuttle
Columbia broke apart over my home State of Texas and my hometown of
Dallas.
Today we honor these brave men and women on the anniversary of their
fateful 16-day mission dedicated to research in physical, life and
space sciences. This most unfortunate and tragic loss of five men and
two women, representing the faces of a diversity of races and
nationalities, will be mourned for these great American heroes and
heroines, and we will never forget the reasons why they were in space,
exploring how we can make life better on this Earth.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Turner). I know that in East Texas thousands of people
turned out to look for the remains of the shuttle and they came down in
the district of the gentleman.
Mr. TURNER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Lampson), for sponsoring this resolution.
It was one year ago that we all shared in the tragedy of the Space
Shuttle Columbia. A team of seven astronauts traveling back home from
the frontier of outer space paid the ultimate sacrifice as their
spacecraft broke apart across the blue skies of East Texas. The seven
who perished showed great patriotism and courage, serving our Nation in
the field of the space exploration.
The NASA astronaut corps is the very best and brightest of our
Nation, men and women unafraid to strap themselves into a spacecraft
and launch off into the unknown so that our Nation and our world can
expand our knowledge and improve our well-being.
These astronauts were pursuing their dreams and ours. And when
tragedy struck their ship, a Nation in grief united to show honor to
their service. Over 25,000 workers and volunteers spent months
searching through the woods and fields of East Texas, seeking to
recover the Columbia and her crew. In towns like Hemphill, Rusk,
Nacogdoches, San Augustine and Lufkin, the citizens of East Texas and
my congressional district responded as did all citizens across America.
East Texans are patriotic folks who are known to help a neighbor or
friend in need. For weeks on end they combed through the thickets of
the piney woods, they cooked meals, they brought in supplies, they gave
shelter to those who came from all across America to help.
{time} 1445
The NASA family became a part of the East Texas family, and they will
always remain in our hearts. The scriptures bring us solace and hope in
times like these. The psalmist David wrote, ``The heavens declare the
glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day,
they pour forth speech. Night after night they display knowledge.''
Today, we remember the crew of the Columbia and their legacy. We
remember their sacrifice and honor their family and friends who remain
in our prayers on this difficult anniversary.
The seven brave astronauts who died would want us to look forward to
the future with determination to press on. They would want us to uphold
the mission of NASA in times of tragedy, as well as in times of
triumph, and most of all, they would want us to keep reaching, to keep
learning more, to explore more, to venture on into space for the
benefit of all mankind.
Today, we honor Colonel Rick Husband, Commander William McCool, Dr.
Kalpana Chawla, Dr. Laurel Clark, Dr. David Brown, Lieutenant Colonel
Michael Anderson, Colonel Ilan Ramon. A grateful Nation will always
remember, and in their memory, may we never cease to reach for the
heavens.
Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis), my friend who was visiting in Houston this
weekend.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for
yielding me the time.
I rise today to join with my colleagues in remembering the loss of
the seven astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1,
2003, as well as to express our heartfelt sympathies to the families of
Rick Husband, commander; William C. McCool, pilot; Michael P. Anderson,
payload commander; Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist; David M. Brown,
mission specialist; Laurel B. Clark, mission specialist; and Ilan
Ramon, payload specialist.
The seven astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia were on a 16-
day scientific mission. The mission held the promise of answering
scientific problems that we confront here on earth. The lives and
sacrifices of these seven men and women should be remembered. That is
why last year I wrote a letter urging the United States Postal Service
to design a stamp that would honor them and the space program.
The space program has meant a great deal to our Nation, and its
benefits to mankind are enormous. The brave crew of the Shuttle
Columbia was disembarking from a mission which they believed in and
loved doing. They are indeed fallen heroes who are held in high regard
as role models for many children around the world who dream of going to
space someday.
Mr. Speaker, these men and women represented the best and the
brightest of what America and the world has to offer. They were willing
to go to the outer limits to explore for the benefit of all humanity.
As Socrates said, ``Man must rise above the earth, to the top of the
world, to the top of the atmosphere and beyond, for only thus will he
fully understand the world in which he lives.''
Once again, our heart goes out to the families and colleagues of
these brave
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men and women who gave the most that they had to offer; indeed their
lives, for the cost of space.
Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).
(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to extend my
appreciation and commendation to the managers of this important
legislation, commending the 1-year anniversary of this tragic event
that occurred to these seven astronauts that represented our Nation. I
was privileged to be a member of the congressional delegation that
personally visited Texas last year when we conducted a very special
service on behalf of these great Americans.
I think if there is anything that I can remember well on this special
service that was held last year was the fact of the diversity of these
distinguished Americans. I recall one whose ancestry was from the
country of India, and we had a gentleman also who was a former pilot
representing the State of Israel, showing the idea that this is not
just an American project.
I think what this sacrifice extends in my understanding, and
certainly my belief, is how much humanity that there was in the efforts
and the sacrifices that these great people made and certainly I would
like to extend my condolences and appreciation to the families of these
seven astronauts who paid the ultimate price, giving of their lives for
the betterment of this troubled world that we live in.
Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers at this time. I would just thank
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) for the work he has done on H.
Res. 507. I urge my colleagues to join us in passage.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, on February 1, 2003, the tragic
accident of the Space Shuttle Columbia took the lives of seven of our
finest Americans. One year later, this sad event remains fresh in our
minds, and we continue to share in the sorrow of those who lost their
loved ones and family members that terrible day.
Among the brave astronauts aboard the Columbia was Dr. Laurel Clark
of Racine, Wisconsin. All of those who knew Laurel were touched by her
extraordinary life and are still coping with the pain that her absence
has caused. It is very difficult to lose a mother, a wife, a daughter,
a sister and a friend, and our thoughts should be with Laurel's family
and loved ones s they continue to honor her memory.
Although Laurel Clark lived only 41 years on this earth, she was
accomplished as a doctor, a scientist and a mother. She poured her
energy into her many pursuits and showed us that with focus, passion
and dedication, it is possible to achieve your dreams. Laurel also
never forgot the importance of family, and it is impossible to quantify
the joy that she brought to those closest to her.
Unwavering in her efforts to improve the world, Laurel began with
those around her. In the end, she made the ultimate sacrifice in the
name of this cause, hoping that the scientific research she conducted
in space could provide a better world for all humanity. As we honor the
life of Laurel Clark, we must never forget the joy, happiness and
everlasting inspiration that she brought to the world, and we should
strive to live our lives as she did.
Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, words are not sufficient to describe how I
felt on Saturday morning, February 1, 2003, when the Chairman of the
Democratic Caucus announced that the Space Shuttle Columbia had gone
down. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the families and friends of the
astronauts we lost. One year later, we remember and honor Columbia's
crew whose lives were precious to all Americans.
As part of the positive legacy emanating from the Columbia space
shuttle disaster, I want to take this opportunity to commend three
Dorsey High School Students from my Congressional District--Atiabet
Ijan Amabel, Cristina Mojarro, and Juan Carlos Ortega--for
participating in the STARS Academy research mission which assisted the
students, along with their counterparts from China, in formulating and
constructing a silk worm experiment that was placed aboard the shuttle.
The STARS Academy is an online cultural and scientific global
learning program. It incorporates a standards based curriculum in math,
science, language arts, geography, and technology. On the STS-107
mission, schools from six countries developed life and physical
sciences experiments, while working with astronauts, space scientists,
engineers, and other experts. For this mission the participating
schools came from: Australia--Spider Experiment; Israel--Crystalline
fiber growth; Japan--Medaka fish growth; USA--Syracuse Ants Experiment;
Liechtenstein--Carpenter Bee Experiment; and China & USA--Silk Worm
Experiment.
Mr. Speaker, despite the tragic events, this is an historic moment
for Dorsey High School and its students who participated in the
silkworm experiment. Their projects and dedication to science are
fitting honors to the astronauts who lost their lives and an
inspiration to all future space explorers.
Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my sorrow for the
crew and family members of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
While Sunday marked the one year anniversary of the space shuttle
tragedy, the memory and dedication of the Columbia crew must never be
forgotten. The seven astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia--six
American and one Israeli--exemplified the courage and commitment that
have been the hallmark of America's space program for decades. Their
efforts to better understand the heavens and advance the cause of
scientific discovery added greatly to our society and our Nation's
vision for the future.
I am especially saddened by the loss of Flight Engineer and Mission
Specialist Dr. Kalpana Chawla. K.C., as she was known by her friends
and coworkers, received her master's of aerospace engineering degree
from the University of Texas at Arlington in my Congressional District.
A native of India, K.C. was the first woman from her country to enter
space. Selected amongst thousands of applicants by NASA in 1994, she
never forgot her time in Arlington or her Indian roots. In fact, among
some of the items that she took with her into space was a UTA T-shirt
with ``UT Arlington Aerospace Engineering'' printed on one side and
``As a matter of fact, I am a rocket scientist,'' on the other.
K.C. took great pride in her Indian roots. She believed her entry
into space was a great accomplishment for her country and was impressed
by the level of support that her fellow Indians expressed for her. In a
final e-mail that she sent to the students of her hometown school, she
said: ``The path from dreams to success does exist; may you have the
vision to find it, the courage to get onto it and the perseverance to
follow it. Wishing you a great journey.''
As we stop to remember and reflect upon the life of Dr. Kalpana
Chawla and her fellow crew members of Columbia, we must assure
ourselves that their lives were not lost in vain. We must continue the
mission to explore space and to educate the underprivileged about the
mission that K.C. and her fellow astronauts embarked upon.
Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers are with the families of all the
astronauts as they continue to mourn the loss of these amazing heroes.
Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the crew of
Columbia. The names Rick Husband, William McCool, Michael Anderson,
Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, Laurel Clark and Ilan Ramon will now
forever be linked to the risks and rewards of exploring the frontier.
They were all extraordinary people.
Rick Husband. A man of strong faith in God. A man who dreamed of
taking part in space travel since his childhood in Amarillo, Texas. A
family man, committed to his community. He set the highest of standards
for us all.
William McCool. A man who personified excellence in all he did. From
San Diego, since the earliest age, he dreamed of flying and followed
his dream with an unending fount of energy and skill. While gifted, he
never showed any hubris; in fact, he was always humble--something we
all could learn from.
Michael Anderson. From Pittsburgh, he had a drive uncommon to most
people. He loved science and learning. He followed his passion for
science. This led him to NASA and space flight. He knew his
responsibility as an astronaut and took every opportunity to talk to
schoolchildren about the excitement and value of space exploration.
Kalpana Chawla. She lived a uniquely American life. Born and raised
in India, she came to America as an immigrant. She worked hard and
studied engineering and science. She became an American citizen and
from there became an astronaut. She made her home nation and her
adopted nation proud of her in all that she did.
David Brown. Truly a man for all seasons. He was a physician, a Navy
pilot, and member of the astronaut corp. Everything he set out to do,
he accomplished. He had many other goals he was anxious to accomplish
after this mission was completed.
Laurel Clark. A wife. A mother. A physician. An astronaut. She was
aware of what a special honor it was to be selected to fly in space.
She was thankful for the special opportunity that she had. She lived
life to the fullest. She enjoyed scuba diving and flying airplanes.
Everything she did, she loved.
[[Page H263]]
Ilan Ramon. The first Israeli in space. A dedicated and brave pilot.
The son of Holocaust survivor. He is an inspiration to a small,
determined nation.
Commander Husband, on the evening before they launched, shared with
his crew and their families, his favorite passage from the book of
Joshua. This is instructive for all of us as we reflect on this
tragedy: ``Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people
to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be
strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant
Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that
you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law
depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may
be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous
and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do
not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be
with you wherever you go.''
That is where we are as a nation right now. We live in a dangerous
world with many challenges facing us. The measure of a truly great
nation is one that can face down its challenges on earth and excell and
lead the world to a higher level.
That is why we have NASA and why we must recommit ourselves, now more
than ever, to the dream and adventure of human space flight that was
such a part of the lives of these brave men and women.
How we decided to respond to this tragedy will be judged very closely
by many generations that come after us. I am proud to say that the
President has risen to the occasion and has charted a bold new
exploration initiative. We cannot let future generations down and walk
away from our destiny in space. The Columbia 7 will be memorialized by
a great, strong, robust return to space by America.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues and our
Nation in remembering the Columbia space shuttle tragedy of one year
ago. The people of Guam join their fellow Americans today in
remembrance, prayer, and tribute for the crew of STS-107 and all that
they stood for and represented in their careers and lives.
Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, Rick
Husband, Willie McCool, and Ilan Ramon were many different things to
many different people. They were mothers and fathers, wives and
husbands, daughters and sons, teachers and friends. There is one thing,
however, that unites them all. They are all heroes in the truest sense
of the word. Today, we reflect upon their lives and the qualities that
they embodied. We draw our strength and resolve from the example they
set and we remain committed to our nation's space program in their
honor and because of what they have taught us.
Guam remembers today Commander Willie McCool, who piloted the
Columbia on that fateful day one year ago. Commander McCool lived in
Guam while his father served as a Navy pilot and attended Dededo Middle
School and John F. Kennedy High School. He later married Lani Vallejos
of Dededo, Guam. While America lost a hero, Guam lost a son in the
aftermath of the Columbia tragedy. Today I extend my prayers and
thoughts to his wife Lani, their children, Sean, Christopher, and
Cameron, and their extended family in Guam. I also extend my prayers
and thoughts to his parents, Barry and Audrey McCool, and to his father
and mother-in-law, Albert and Atilana Vallejos, of Dededo, Guam.
My first bill in Congress was H.R. 672, which renamed the Guam South
Elementary/Middle School of the Department of Defense Domestic
Dependents Elementary and Secondary Schools System in honor of
Commander McCool. President Bush signed this bill into law on April 22,
2003 and on August 29, 2003 the school was dedicated in his honor
during an emotional ceremony attended by family, military officials,
government dignitaries and fellow astronauts Piers Sellers and
Stephanie Wilson. At this ceremony, Guam Governor Felix Camacho
posthumously bestowed upon Commander McCool the Ancient Order of the
Chamorri, the highest award given on behalf of the people of Guam in
recognition of substantial contributions to the betterment of society.
Commander McCool's beacon of light will continue to shine and inspire
young and old alike to look towards the stars and dream big dreams.
Commander McCool blessed our island and indeed our country with his
passion, intellect, and purpose. The people of Guam are proud to call
him one of our own and will always remember him as a role model for our
children. The inspiration Commander McCool has been to our people is
something that will not fade and that can never be taken away. This
past weekend the people of Guam gathered in the Dulce Nombre de Maria
Cathedral Basilica in our capital city of Hagatna to pay tribute to
Commander McCool and the Columbia crew, to recall their
accomplishments, and to pray for their families.
In remembering Commander McCool I am always touched by a poem he
wrote while attending Dededo Middle School in Guam. Reading the poem
today, it has an eerie quality that shows not only his love of Guam,
but a glimpse into his future career as an astronaut:
I came to an island in the middle of the sea,
It was so nice that I jumped for glee.
There are palm trees, coconuts, and bananas too,
Plus birds and fish so unbelievable but true.
It is so nice that no one can complain.
But he who does must be insane.
This is such a nice and beautiful place,
You'd think it was heaven--or outer space.
He signed this poem, ``William `Willie' McCool, Dededo beep! beep!
Roadrunner,'' referring to his school's mascot.
Let us always remember Willie's devotion to his family, to the people
of Guam, to our country, and to the betterment of the world. I thank my
colleague, Mr. Burgess, for offering this resolution today. God Bless
the Columbia crew and their families.
Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simmons). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 507.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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