[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 87 (Thursday, June 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1323-E1324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO LISA NOWAK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2006

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend one of my 
constituents, Lisa Nowak, a member of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration's (NASA) space shuttle Discovery crew set to 
perform the STS-121 mission to the International Space Station on July 
1, 2006. Ms. Nowak was selected as one of seven members of the 
Discovery crew, where she will serve as a mission specialist.
  With her experience in the U.S. Navy and at NASA, Ms. Nowak's 
participation in the STS-121 mission represents the culmination of a 
career filled with numerous accomplishments. Ms. Nowak graduated from 
C.W. Woodward High School in Rockville, Maryland and went on to obtain 
a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the U.S. 
Naval Academy in 1985 and Masters of Science degree in Aeronautical 
Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. After receiving 
her commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985, Ms. Nowak became a 
Naval Flight Officer in 1987. While serving as a Naval test pilot, Ms. 
Nowak received several prestigious awards, including the Navy 
Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal. In 1996, Ms. Nowak was 
selected by NASA, becoming

[[Page E1324]]

a mission specialist after completing two years of training and 
evaluation. The STS-121 mission in July will be Ms. Nowak's first 
mission into space.
  During the STS-121 mission to the International Space Station, the 
crew of the space shuttle Discovery will test new equipment and 
procedures that increase the safety of the space shuttle. Its mission 
will be to complete an analysis of safety improvements that debuted on 
the Return to Flight mission, STS 114, and build upon those tests.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer my warmest congratulations to Ms. Nowak. Her 
work plays a vital role in continued advances and improvements to our 
space program. Her courage, hard work, and accomplishments serve as an 
inspiration to us all.

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