[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   MOUNT VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL SELECTED FOR NASA EXPLORER SCHOOL PROGRAM

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                        HON. NICK J. RAHALL, II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, as far as we can remember, we have dreamed 
of reaching the stars. Since its inception in 1958, NASA has helped us 
realize those dreams. They have taken us into space, placed Americans 
on the moon, and opened our eyes by exceeding feats once deemed 
unreachable.
  Today, I want to congratulate Mount View Middle School, located in 
Welch, West Virginia, for being selected to participate in the NASA 
Explorer School Program. As the first school in West Virginia to be 
chosen for this prestigious and exciting educational adventure, I am 
pleased that many of our children in Southern West Virginia will have 
the opportunity to be exposed to the world of science and engineering 
in a new and exciting way.
  We must focus attention on our future astronauts, scientists, and 
engineers who will take us even farther than we dare to dream today. 
They are our children and our students, and with them our hope rests. 
We must nurture them and give them the resources they need to advance 
their studies; enhancing their learning and expanding their 
opportunities so that when it is their time to shine not even the 
darkest day will dim their light.
  The NASA Explorer School Program will help train our math and science 
teachers and school administrators, for it is our teachers that can 
provide the spark that ignites our passion, and they lay the basic 
foundations of education necessary for the success of our future 
expeditions into space. Advancing the knowledge and skills of our 
teachers will only improve the development of our students.
  The benefits of engaging and educating children in the world of 
science and engineering cannot be overstated. Programs such as the NASA 
Explorer Schools Program enable our students to explore these important 
subjects at a level and intensity that they might not otherwise 
experience. I once again congratulate Mount View Middle School for 
being selected to participate in this exciting program, and I look 
forward to hearing about their related successes.
  With the impending challenges ahead, not only today but for 
generations to come, can we afford not to be ready? By ensuring that 
our students, our future NASA scientists and engineers, are well 
prepared for the trials ahead, we can ensure that our future in the 
skies is as bright as the stars above.
  The future of NASA is the future of man. And, as we look toward our 
future we are reminded of the words of William Faulkner when he said, 
``I believe that man will not merely endure. He will prevail. He is 
immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible 
voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and 
sacrifice and endurance.''

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