[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1542-E1543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING EMPLOYEES AT NASA'S MICHOUD ASSEMBLY FACILITY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLIE MELANCON

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 24, 2006

  Mr. MELANCON. Madam Speaker, today I offer House Resolution 892, to 
give honor and thanks to those who braved Hurricane Katrina's fury in 
service to their country. As we approach the 1-year anniversary of 
Hurricane Katrina, I would like to recognize the men and women who 
stayed behind to protect NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in eastern 
New Orleans. The ``Michoud Hurricane Ride-Out Team'' was comprised of 
38 Lockheed and NASA employees who risked their lives to protect the 
facility that produces the Space Shuttle external fuel tank, a vital 
component of the Shuttle program. Were it not for their efforts, the 
Shuttle program could have been grounded for years. In fact, if Michoud 
had been destroyed by Katrina, the U.S. would not be able to fulfill 
its commitment to its international partners, as there would have been 
no way for the U.S. to ferry vital supplies to equip the International 
Space Station. The ``Ride-Out Team'' volunteered to stay and protect 
valuable space flight hardware critical not only to NASA's Space 
Shuttle Program, but to the future of human space exploration. The 
Michoud facility is a vital component of America's Vision for Space 
Exploration, since derivatives of the external tank are part of the 
design for the next generation space craft.
  As hurricane winds exceeded 130 mph and storm surge topped the 19 ft. 
levees surrounding the facility, the team worked tirelessly manning the 
pumping station and generators. After all was said and done, those 
dedicated individuals pumped more than 1 billion gallons of water out 
of the facility. Because of their efforts, operations at Michoud 
resumed mere weeks after Katrina's landfill.
  Many of the ``Ride-Out Team'' lost everything they owned to the storm 
and many didn't know what had happened to their families until days 
after the storm had passed. They persevered even though all land routes 
to the facility had been cut off and they had no electricity or water 
for 21 days.
  For their bravery in the face of unbelievable destruction and their 
unquestionable dedication to the space program, I ask this body to

[[Page E1543]]

recognize the members of the ``Michoud Hurricane Ride-Out Team'' and 
commemorate their heroism and selfless contribution to the United 
States, and enable America to continue to lead the world in space 
exploration.

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