[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 98 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING NASA ON COMPLETION OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE'S SECOND RETURN-TO-
                             FLIGHT MISSION

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                               speech of

                            HON. DAVE WELDON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 19, 2006

  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend 
congratulations to NASA and the Shuttle program for the successful STS-
121 mission on Space Shuttle Discovery. On July 4th, I watched with 
pride as the NASA performed a successful launch of the Space Shuttle 
Discovery, a fitting tribute to NASA, our brave astronauts, and our 
incredible space program.
  STS-121 successfully confirmed the Space Shuttle safety improvements, 
including the redesigned External Tank foam insulation, the heat 
shield, and improved imagery during launch. STS-121 also successfully 
supplied the International Space Station with more than 28,000 pounds 
of much-needed equipment and supplies.
  Our amazing astronauts also gave us earth-bound admirers three awe-
inspiring spacewalks. My hearty congratulations go to the entire 
Discovery crew--Commander Steven Lindsey, Pilot Mark Kelly, and Mission 
Specialists Michael Fossum, Lisa Nowak, Piers Sellers, and Stephanie 
Wilson.
  With the completion of the flawless 13-day mission of STS-121 on 
Space Shuttle Discovery, NASA proved that both its Space Shuttle 
program and the International Space Station program are once again on 
firm footing. Americans can be confident that NASA's goal of completing 
the construction of the space station will be realized.
  And this confidence-building mission comes at the right time, since 
the most complicated space assembly mission that has ever been 
scheduled in human space flight will happen in only a month and a half. 
Starting in August, NASA will launch a series of missions to finish the 
backbone of the International Space Station. These shuttle missions 
will be the most complex since the Apollo program.
  These are great challenges for NASA, but America's space agency 
continues to prove that it is up to the job. I have complete confidence 
that NASA will be successful with the remaining 15 Shuttle missions to 
complete the space station before the shuttle's retirement in 2010.
  Our Space Shuttle program has proven that it is on track to 
completing its remaining missions and NASA is on track to continue the 
manned space program, including the return of Americans to the surface 
of the Moon.

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