[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 107 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN IN SPACE--
DR. SALLY K. RIDE--AND HONORING HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SPACE PROGRAM 
                        AND TO SCIENCE EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NICK LAMPSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2008

  Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing a resolution 
``Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the First American Woman in 
Space--Dr. Sally K. Ride--and Honoring Her Contributions to the Space 
Program and to Science Education.'' On June 18, 2008 we mark the 
historic date, twenty-five years ago, when the STS-7 Space Shuttle 
mission flew the first American woman into space. Dr. Sally Ride, an 
accomplished athlete who once considered pursuing a professional career 
in tennis, holds this special distinction and has continued to be a 
passionate and inspiring advocate for space and for science throughout 
her career.
  Dr. Ride, who earned undergraduate degrees in both English and 
physics at Stanford University and who continued her academic training 
leading to a doctorate in physics, was selected as an astronaut 
candidate in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's 
(NASA's) eighth astronaut class, the first to include women. On the 
historic STS-7 mission, Dr. Ride served as a mission specialist; her 
work with the STS-7 crew included launching two communications 
satellites, conducting demonstration activities with the Shuttle 
robotic arm, and facilitating experiments in materials science.
  On October 5, 1984, Dr. Ride made her second spaceflight aboard the 
STS 41-G mission, which launched the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite 
and demonstrated the capability to refuel satellites in orbit, among 
other accomplishments. Sadly, training preparations for Dr. Ride's 
third spaceflight assignment, the STS 61-M mission, ended following the 
Challenger accident. She then was asked to serve on the Presidential 
Commission that investigated that accident, and later she served with 
distinction on the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.
  Madam Speaker, following her NASA career, Dr. Ride has focused her 
experience, talent, and dedication as a leader and advocate for 
educating the next generation of scientists and engineers--especially 
young women. As a professor and scientist, she has served on the 
faculty of the University of California San Diego and as director of 
the University of California's California Space Institute. She has 
authored scientific publications on free electron lasers. She has also 
authored several children's books about science and space.
  Dr. Ride's current focus has been through her efforts to provide 
hands-on learning about science, math, and technology for young 
students and teachers. She has been the principal investigator of Earth 
Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students (EarthKAM), a NASA 
education program that allows students to control a digital camera that 
is attached to the International Space Station, to determine what to 
photograph, and to use the imagery for their science studies. The 
project also instills experience in teamwork, communication, and 
problem-solving. In addition, Madam Speaker, as the first American 
woman in space, Dr. Ride has used her fame constructively, mentoring 
and encouraging girls and young women to pursue careers in space, 
science, and engineering. To that end, she has developed science 
festivals, science camps and other opportunities for girls and young 
women to engage in science, math, and technology activities.
  Madam Speaker, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first 
American woman in space we also celebrate the dawn of the space age a 
quarter of a century earlier. The historic milestone of Dr. Ride's 
flight encourages us to look forward to the additional ``firsts'' for 
our nation's space program in the coming decades. Dr. Ride's profound 
dedication to promoting opportunities for science and engineering 
learning is helping to build that exciting future.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues in Congress to support this 
resolution celebrating the 25th anniversary of the first American woman 
in space and to extend our appreciation and gratitude for Dr. Ride's 
excellence in service to the nation as an astronaut, educator, and 
advocate for the next generation of women scientists and engineers.

                          ____________________