[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATIONS TO COLONEL JAMES KELLY, THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA'S 
FIRST ASTRONAUT AND PILOT OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE ``DISCOVERY'' RETURN TO 
                             FLIGHT MISSION

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                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 9, 2005

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I 
rise to honor and congratulate Colonel James Kelly, the pilot of the 
recent space shuttle Discovery Return to Flight Mission and the 
University of Alabama's first astronaut.
  Colonel Kelly earned his master of science in aerospace engineering 
from the University of Alabama in 1996. That same year, he applied for 
NASA's astronaut class. Colonel Kelly was one of 44 members and one of 
only 10 pilots selected out of 2,400 applicants.
  Colonel Kelly has logged over 3,800 flight hours in more than 35 
different aircraft. Additionally, he has logged over 643 hours in 
space. He served as pilot on both the STS-102 Discovery and the STS-114 
Discovery. The STS-102 Discovery was the eighth shuttle mission to 
visit the International Space Station. The two-week, 5.8 million mile 
STS-114 Discovery Return to Flight Mission reaffirmed our confidence in 
NASA and America's successful future in space.
  Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to commend Colonel James Kelly 
for his commitment to excellence and his willingness to explore. I 
thank him for his dedication and brave service to this country.

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