[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 103 (Monday, June 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TRIBUTE TO STS-117

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 25, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
success of NASA's latest mission to the International Space Station. I 
also wish to celebrate the safe return of the STS-117 Atlantis crew and 
honor the accomplishments of the astronauts, including Colorado's very 
own Steven Swanson.
  From a distinguished member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society to a 
recipient of the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, Mission Specialist 
Swanson's path to space is paved with miles of achievements. Long 
before he took in the majestic sights of our galaxy, a young Swanson 
was in search of new heights of adventure amidst our Rocky Mountains. 
After whetting his appetite for sky-high ventures in Steamboat Springs, 
Mr. Swanson went on to graduate from the University of Colorado with a 
bachelor's degree in engineering physics. A year after he received a 
master of applied science in computer systems from Florida Atlantic 
University, Steve Swanson joined NASA.
  As a systems engineer in the Aircraft Operations Division of Johnson 
Space Center, JSC, Swanson worked on the Shuttle Training Aircraft, 
eventually earning both the JSC Certificate of Accommodation and the 
Flight Simulation Engineering Award. After earning a doctorate in 
computer science from Texas A&M University in 1998, Swanson was 
selected as an Astronaut Candidate and successfully completed intensive 
training to eventually become a member of the crew on STS-117.
  Building on the lessons and mission objectives of the two previous 
NASA shuttle missions, STS-115 and STS-116, the STS-117 mission focused 
on further construction of the International Space Station. The seven-
astronaut crew, under the command of Marine Colonel Rick Sturckow and 
the piloting of Air Force Colonel Lee Archambault, successfully 
installed a large truss needed to expand the orbiting space research 
facility and added third pair of solar wings to power the station. The 
STS-117 mission represented the 28th flight of the space shuttle 
Atlantis and NASA's 118th shuttle mission.
  As the 18th graduate of the University of Colorado to fly in space 
for NASA, Steve Swanson's safe return not only reaps great pride for 
his family and friends but the entire state of Colorado as well. 
Colorado has a rich history of accomplished space pioneers as the state 
has the second highest private aerospace employment concentration in 
the country. Swanson serves as a great embodiment of the determination 
and fearless pursuit of adventure found so deeply ingrained in the 
American West.
  In fact, the entire Atlantis crew embodies the very best of the 
American ingenuity and limitless capacity for human achievement that 
make this country great. I join my fellow Members of Congress in 
celebrating and honoring the fine astronauts of STS-117 and the 
accomplishments of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

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