[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 11 (Friday, January 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO BYRON WOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 19, 2007

  Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor of the U.S. House of 
Representatives to bring to my colleagues' attention the retirement of 
a man dedicated to the U.S. Space program. The President of Pratt & 
Whitney Rocketdyne, Byron Wood, has announced his retirement after 44 
years of service, not just to Rocketdyne, but to the people of the 
United States.
  Byron has seen his career go full circle, from his early work on the 
J-2 engine for the Apollo moon program, to his leadership today in 
resurrecting the J-2 for America's return to the moon. In between, 
Byron was instrumental in the development of the space shuttle main 
engine, which has served our national space program flawlessly for 25 
years. Byron is the proud recipient of two NASA awards; the Exceptional 
Engineering Achievement medal and the Public Service medal.
  During his career, Byron also made valuable contributions to the 
national security needs of the United States. His leadership in the 
development of the RS-68 engine for the Delta IV launch vehicle will 
help ensure that America's military will maintain information 
superiority through the reliable launch and placement of our national 
space based assets. His continued support for the development of small 
liquid propulsion systems has greatly strengthened our missile defense 
capability through Rocketdyne's contributions to the Theater High 
Altitude Area Defense System.
  America will miss Byron's service. As we refocus our efforts to 
return humans to the moon and beyond, and as space systems continue to 
become more vital to the national security of our country, wisdom and 
leadership of the type possessed by Byron will be ever more essential. 
Please join me in wishing Byron the best in his retirement and in 
thanking him for his work.

                          ____________________