[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 144 (Thursday, November 3, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12350-S12351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. BONNIE J. DUNBAR

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today I would like to recognize 
the extraordinary achievements of a gifted Washingtonian named Dr. 
Bonnie J. Dunbar. Dr. Dunbar is widely acknowledged as one of the 
world's most experienced female astronauts as well as a pioneer in 
biomedicl engineering. In tribute to her accomplishments, Dr. Dunbar 
has been selected to receive the distinguished Women in Engineering 
Achievement Award for 2005.
  Born and raised on a ranch in Sunnyside, WA, Dr. Dunbar took an early 
interest in space. As a child, she studied the exploits of astronauts 
like Alan Shepherd and spent her nights studying the sky for signs of 
passing satellites. By the third grade, she had already declared that 
she would one day be an astronaut. Encouraged by her parents to follow 
her dreams, Bonnie Dunbar attended the University of Washington where 
she received her bachelor and master degrees in engineering, an 
important precursor to her career at NASA. However, her journey to 
space was not without its hurdles.
  Like a true pioneer, Dr. Dunbar worked to break down barriers. At a 
time when women were generally discouraged from pursuing science based 
careers, Dr. Dunbar both succeeded and prospered in her field, paving 
the way for countless women who shared her interest in science. After 
receiving her doctorate in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering from 
the University of Houston, Dr. Dunbar went on to

[[Page S12351]]

hold a number of esteemed research and engineering positions in the 
private sector. During this time, Dr. Dunbar assisted in the 
development and manufacture of Space Shuttle Thermal Protection Systems 
integral to NASA flight operations.
  In 1978, when NASA opened its astronaut program to women for the 
first time, Dr. Dunbar was one of the first candidates to enroll. 
Although she was not chosen in the final selection, NASA recognized her 
talents and hired her as a payload officer and flight controller. This 
would mark the beginning of a distinguished 27-year career at NASA. In 
1981, Dr. Dunbar earned her astronaut wings and was assigned to the 
1985 Challenger Spacelab mission. Following this successful mission, 
she was selected to participate in four more missions in space. All 
told, Dr. Dunbar logged more than 1,208 hours or 50 days in space.
  Dr. Dunbar's exceptional performance during these missions garnered 
more than six NASA Space Flight Medals, including the Superior 
Accomplishment Award in 1997, and the NASA Exceptional Achievement 
Award in 1996.
  Doctor Bonnie Dunbar's meteoric rise from a small ranching community 
in the State of Washington to a veteran of five successful missions to 
space is both extraordinary and inspiring. Her courageous trailblazing 
took the world's fascination for space to new plateaus and encouraged 
women to follow their dreams. She truly is a remarkable pioneer and a 
worthy recipient of the distinguished Women in Engineering Achievement 
Award for 2005.

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