[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 101 (Wednesday, June 18, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008

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                               speech of

                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2008

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 6063) to 
     authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration, and for other purposes:

  Mr. MARKEY. Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of the Hodes 
amendment to H.R. 6063, the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2008, establishing a scholarship 
program in honor of Christa McAuliffe, the teacher-turned-astronaut 
whose journey captivated a nation and sparked a renewed interest in 
space exploration. Chosen out of 11,000 educators to participate in the 
Teacher in Space program, Christa represented the hopes and dreams of 
every teacher and every student around the country. Despite the tragic 
Challenger explosion that claimed her life along with the lives of her 
fellow astronauts, Christa's courage, creativity and curiosity embodied 
the best values of our educational system and remain an inspiration to 
students around the world. Christa grew up in my congressional district 
in Framingham, Massachusetts and later attended Framingham State 
College, where the Christa McAuliffe Center promotes science education 
and teacher training. While Christa's inspirational life was tragically 
cut short, along with her fellow passengers on the Space Shuttle 
Challenger, her legacy lives on inspiring the next generation of space 
explorers. This scholarship will be established to promote women in 
space sciences, a fitting goal considering Christa's life work. While 
women have made significant gains in the last few years, they continue 
to be underrepresented in space sciences and aeronautics. There is no 
better way to honor a true pioneer that inspired millions while 
promoting education and space exploration than a scholarship to advance 
that very cause.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Hodes amendment and I thank my 
colleague from New Hampshire for this fitting tribute to a true 
American hero.

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