[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 6, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H571-H573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REMEMBERING THE SPACE SHUTTLE ``CHALLENGER'' DISASTER AND HONORING ITS 
                              CREW MEMBERS

  Mr. MELANCON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 943) remembering the space shuttle Challenger 
disaster and honoring its crew members, who lost their lives on January 
28, 1986.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 943

       Whereas January 28, 2008, marks the 22-year anniversary of 
     the tragic accident of the space shuttle Challenger, Mission 
     51-L, and the loss of seven of America's bravest and most 
     dedicated citizens;
       Whereas the space shuttle Challenger disaster occurred off 
     the coast of central Florida, at 11:39 a.m. on January 28, 
     1986;
       Whereas the space shuttle Challenger disintegrated 73 
     seconds into its flight after an O-ring seal in its right 
     solid rocket booster failed at lift-off;
       Whereas the seven-person crew on the shuttle included 
     Commander Francis R. Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission 
     Specialist Judith A. Resnik, Mission Specialist Ellison S. 
     Onizuka, Mission Specialist Ronald E. McNair, Payload 
     Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis, and Payload Specialist Sharon 
     Christa McAuliffe;
       Whereas Christa McAuliffe, a schoolteacher from Concord, 
     New Hampshire, was on board as the first member in the 
     Teacher in Space Project;
       Whereas the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
     (NASA) selected Christa McAuliffe from a field of 11,000 
     applicants to be a part of the Challenger crew and teach 
     lessons to schoolchildren from space;
       Whereas the Committee on Science and Technology of the 
     House of Representatives conducted oversight hearings on the 
     Challenger disaster and released a report on October 29, 
     1986, on the causes of the accident; and
       Whereas the House of Representatives continues to support 
     NASA and its ongoing efforts to explore and educate the 
     American public about space: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors the 22nd anniversary of the space shuttle 
     Challenger disaster;
       (2) celebrates the courage and bravery of the crew of the 
     Challenger, and Christa McAuliffe and her passion for 
     encouraging America's children to pursue careers in science 
     and mathematics;
       (3) commits itself and the Nation to using the lessons 
     learned in inquiries into the space shuttle Challenger 
     accident to ensure that the space agency always operates on a 
     strong and stable foundation; and
       (4) recognizes the continued dedication of the United 
     States to the goal of space exploration for the benefit of 
     all mankind.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Melancon) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Feeney) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MELANCON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on House Resolution 943, the resolution now 
under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Louisiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MELANCON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to support House Resolution 943, a 
resolution honoring the astronauts of the space shuttle Challenger and 
honoring its crew members, who lost their lives on January 28, 1986. 
And I congratulate Mr. Hodes for preparing this resolution.
  The tragic loss of the Challenger and her crew of seven serves as a 
continuing reminder that space flight is anything but routine. As we 
continue to explore outer space, we here on the ground must do our part 
to ensure that we have learned the lessons of the Challenger accident 
and work tirelessly to make space travel as safe as possible for future 
generations of explorers.
  In addition, I believe we can best honor the sacrifices of the crew 
of the Challenger made by our commitment to renewing America's space 
program, continuing the Nation's journey into space, a goal to which 
they dedicated their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we pause today to honor the 
memory of the Challenger crew, and I urge all my colleagues to support 
this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to thank my colleague Mr. Melancon for shepherding this 
memorial to the floor today. With this resolution, the House of 
Representatives joins with all Americans to solemnly remember the loss 
of the space shuttle Challenger 22 years ago on January 28, 1986.
  Many Americans remember where they were on that cold January morning 
when the shuttle Challenger leapt from its launch pad. After receiving 
the call ``Challenger go at throttle up,'' Challenger disintegrated in 
clear blue skies just 73 seconds into its flight.
  We were stunned. One moment Challenger was flawlessly flying on a 
beautiful winter morning. Then, without warning, it was gone.
  America turned to mourn its seven astronauts who gave the ultimate 
sacrifice for the advancement of exploration and discovery: Michael 
Smith; Dick Scobee; Judith Resnik; Ronald McNair; Ellison Onizuka; 
Gregory Jarvis; and Christa McAuliffe, a schoolteacher from Concord, 
New Hampshire, selected to be the first member of the teaching 
profession in a space project.
  That evening, President Reagan spoke from the Oval Office to comfort 
a grieving Nation. Millions of children had watched the launch because 
Christa McAuliffe was to later teach science lessons from space. 
Instead, we were reminded of a deeper lesson. Reagan said:

[[Page H572]]

  ``I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were 
watching the live coverage of the shuttle's takeoff. I know it is hard 
to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all 
part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of 
taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong 
to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was 
pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them.''
  Reagan concluded his address by saying this:
  ``The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner 
in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them nor the last 
time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and 
waved good-bye and slipped the surly bonds of Earth to ``touch the face 
of God.' ''
  Twenty-two years have passed. America has kept its word. We haven't 
forgotten the Challenger crew. Human space flight is mankind's most 
difficult endeavor. America has achieved so many successes, space 
flight seems routine; yet every generation unexpectedly bears witness 
to space flight's inherent dangers.
  Before the Challenger disaster, the Apollo I crew was lost on Pad 34 
on January 27, 1967, in an accident known simply as ``The Fire.'' After 
Challenger, we waited on February 1, 2003, at the Kennedy Space 
Center's landing strip for the voyagers of Columbia who never returned 
home. January and February are NASA's cruelest months.
  On each occasion the people of NASA grieved terribly, but they 
learned from adversity, and then they rededicated themselves to their 
mission. America landed on the Moon after The Fire. After Challenger, 
the shuttle flew again to pursue scientific discovery and begin 
constructing the international space station. After Columbia, we 
returned to flight, and we will complete and use the international 
space station. Then we will turn our dreams to exploring beyond Earth's 
orbit by establishing outposts on the Moon and then going further 
beyond.
  Exploration, journey, and bravery define the American people. Each of 
us comes from a heritage where someone with great courage took a 
passage to a new beginning, many times with disastrous endings. But the 
living stubbornly persevered, pushed back vast frontiers, and built a 
great and glorious Nation. Adversity, including the loss of the 
Challenger crew, can never extinguish this American spirit.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this resolution honoring the brave 
and dedicated crew of Challenger. I urge my colleagues to support House 
Resolution 943.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MELANCON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Hodes).
  Mr. HODES. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 943.
  January 28, 2008, marked the 22nd anniversary of the Challenger space 
shuttle disaster. On January 28, 1986, at 11:38 eastern standard time, 
the Challenger took off from the Kennedy Space Center and disintegrated 
just 73 seconds into its flight, killing all seven members of its brave 
crew. The accident occurred on what would have been the Challenger's 
10th trip into space.
  I introduced House Resolution 943 to honor the courage and bravery of 
all seven crew members who died as a result of this tragic accident. 
The crew of the Challenger embodied the goals of the United States 
space program and our highest ideals: a commitment to knowledge of our 
universe and inspiring a new generation of scientific pioneers.
  The tragic accident that day was especially poignant for those of us 
in New Hampshire. New Hampshire is a small State, and we pride 
ourselves on our sense of community. And one of those crew members was 
Christa McAuliffe of Concord, New Hampshire, my hometown. She was a 
friend. She was someone who was woven deeply into the fabric of our 
community. She touched the lives of countless students. She was a mom. 
She was somebody who was loved and admired. And she was on board the 
Challenger as the first participant of the Teacher in Space program, 
the pride of New Hampshire and of Concord and of the Nation, for the 
first teacher in space was enormous and seemed to magnify the tragedy 
of the accident.
  Christa dedicated her life to education. She taught at Rundlett 
Junior High School, Bow Memorial Middle School, and Concord High School 
between 1978 and 1985. On July 19, 1985, she was selected from a field 
of roughly 11,000 applicants as the primary candidate for the Teacher 
in Space Project. Her mission as a crew member was to teach 
schoolchildren lessons from space and to encourage students to pursue 
careers in science and mathematics.
  Twenty-two years after the Challenger disaster, Christa McAuliffe's 
goal of promoting scholarship in the sciences is more important than 
ever as our Nation works to stay at the forefront of global innovation.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the anniversary of the 
Challenger disaster and to support House Resolution 943.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 943, ``Remembering the space shuttle Challenger disaster and 
honoring its crew members, who lost their lives on January 28, 1986,'' 
introduced by my distinguished colleague from New Hampshire, 
Representative Paul W. Hodes. This important legislation will honor the 
lives, the work, and the memory of the seven men and women who lost 
their lives on the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger mission. I would like 
to thank Representative Hodes for introducing this bill, of which I am 
proud to be an original cosponsor, as well as Chairman Gordon for his 
leadership in bringing this important and timely bill to the floor 
today.
  On January 28, 1986, Ellison S. Onizuka, Sharon Christa McAuliffe, 
Greg Jarvis, Judy Resnik, Michael J. Smith, Dick Scobee, and Ron McNair 
commenced on a risky journey, which only a select few have had the 
opportunity to travel. Twenty-two years ago, these extraordinary men 
and women embarked on what they knew would be a perilous flight, in 
pursuit of knowledge and driven by the spirit of scientific discovery. 
As we stand here today, on the floor of the House of Representatives, 
and commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the Challenger tragedy, I 
believe we should take a moment to recall the purpose to which the crew 
was dedicated. Astronauts Onizuka, McAuliffe, Jarvis, Resnik, Smith, 
Scobee, and McNair represent the best in all of us, and it is in their 
memory that we should devote ourselves to continuing what they began.
  Mr. Speaker, as we mourn the tragic loss of these extraordinary men 
and women, I would also like to praise those individuals who continue 
to accept the challenges posed by the exploration of space and the 
dedication of all connected with the manned space program. However, 
while space exploration continues to be a part of our national destiny, 
it is vital that safety is made our first priority, in order to protect 
future astronauts and ensure the tragedy of 22 years ago never happens 
again.
  From the beginning, our Nation has recognized the importance of the 
exploration of space and has always taken a leading role in its 
development and exploration. The expansion of our horizons has been 
essential for reasons beyond the technological advances it may provide. 
Moreover, it represents mankind's capability to turn distant dreams 
into a practical reality.
  However, safety must remain our first priority. In June of last year, 
we watched as the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the International Space 
Station both experienced serious safety scares. The shuttle's mission 
had to be extended following the discovery of a rip in the shuttle's 
thermal blanket. The space station experienced the failure of a 
Russian-operated computer system controlling a crucial portion of the 
station's navigational system. These recent incidents clearly indicate 
the need for improved safety standards and oversight. Space exploration 
must be coupled with satisfactory safety assurances.
  Because of my ongoing commitment to the safe exploration of space, I 
was proud to introduce an amendment to H.R. 3093, the Departments of 
Commerce and Justice and Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations 
for FY 2008, reaffirming our strong commitment to ensuring adequate 
safety standards for the International Space Station. My amendment 
emphasizes the importance of safety standards by ensuring that none of 
the funds made available in this Act may be used to limit the safety 
provisions enumerated in the recent NASA Authorization Act. If the 
recently delivered recommendations of the congressionally mandated 
International Space Station Independent Safety Task Force are to be 
successful in identifying and mitigating future risks to the 
International Space Station, Congress, together with the 
administration, must firmly reaffirm its commitment to pursuing safety 
as a

[[Page H573]]

top priority. My amendment was overwhelmingly approved, by a vote of 
422 to 3, and accepted into the bill.

  At a time where our televisions, newspapers, radios and other forms 
of media are dominated with discussions of presidential nominations, 
housing foreclosures, economic stimulus packages, Middle Eastern 
conflicts and the war in Iraq, it would be all too easy to disregard 
our commitment to the enterprise of space exploration and its value to 
the United States and abroad. Let us look to the sky to honor the 
memory of these fallen heroes who gave their lives for the cause of 
pushing the limit of human exploration for the enrichment of all of 
mankind.
  Mr. Speaker, words cannot conveyor adequately repay the debt that is 
owed. We cannot sufficiently articulate the feelings of sorrow that are 
universally felt; however, we can pay those seven souls no greater 
tribute than to carry on the work they believed in and paid the 
ultimate sacrifice for. The contributions to space exploration and 
service these great astronauts provided are priceless and will never go 
unrecognized.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important 
legislation, and in so doing, giving the men and women of our space 
program the respect and recognition they deserve.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 943, a 
resolution that remembers the space shuttle Challenger disaster and 
honors its crew members on the 22nd anniversary of their tragic flight.
  On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle disintegrated shortly after 
takeoff, killing seven crew members. One of those astronauts, Ellison 
Onizuka, was born and raised in my State of Hawaii and served as 
Hawaii's first astronaut.
  Mr. Onizuka was very enthusiastic about our space program and never 
hesitated to share his knowledge and experience with the people of 
Hawaii. He recognized the importance of education and encouraged 
students to pursue an interest in space and science-related fields. 
Four major space programs and centers in Hawaii carry on the legacy of 
this inspiring explorer: the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center, 
Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day, the Hawaii Space Grant 
Consortium, and Challenger Center Hawaii.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 943, which honors Mr. 
Onizuka's contributions and celebrates the courage and bravery of the 
Challenger crew.
  Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MELANCON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Melancon) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 943.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. MELANCON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________