[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING NASA MISSION SPECIALIST JOAN E. HIGGINBOTHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2006

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate the STS-116 crew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on the 
occasion of their launch into space today. Thursday, December 7, 2006, 
marks the shuttle's 20th mission to the International Space Station.
  Space is a frontier few Americans get to experience, and for females 
and members of ethnic minorities, the opportunities are especially 
rare.
  For this reason I offer warmest congratulations to Mission Specialist 
Joan E. Higginbotham.
  As an African American woman, Joan Higginbotham will inspire millions 
of girls across the nation and across the world. Ms. Higginbotham's 
track record of excellence has set her apart from her peers. Trained as 
an electrical engineer with management and space systems expertise, Ms. 
Higginbotham has gone down a unique path.
  Both Ms. Higginbotham and I are proud members of The Links, 
Incorporated.
  The Links, Incorporated is a not-for-profit organization of more than 
10,000 women of color, committed to enhancing the quality of life in 
their communities. The Links founders had three primary service aims: 
civic, educational, and cultural. In her achievement as an astronaut, 
Ms. Higginbotham will light the paths of millions of women of color to 
achieve in areas previously inaccessible to them.
  Again, warmest congratulations and best wishes to the crew, 
especially to Mission Specialist Joan E. Higginbotham.

                          ____________________