[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 26 (Wednesday, March 3, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            SAVE THE HUBBLE

  (Mr. McDERMOTT asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago today the Columbia Space 
Shuttle, in what turned out to be its last full mission, serviced the 
Hubble Space Telescope.
  Those astronauts knew and children across America know that Hubble is 
a national treasure. Hubble offers a dramatic view into the cosmos, and 
it has yielded profound scientific discoveries. Yet for all of Hubble's 
national acclaim and the inspiration it has given us, NASA has given 
Hubble a death sentence. It is up to us to commute that sentence.
  That is why I have joined with a bipartisan group calling for NASA to 
convene the best and the brightest minds to reevaluate their decision 
and look at every reasonable alternative. In the meantime, keep the 
Hubble going.
  In my view, Hubble is one of the best scientific investments we have 
ever made. Hubble is certainly the best recruiter we have today to 
inspire our children to excel in science and reach for the stars.

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