[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S2228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                          TRIBUTE TO ERIC BOE

 Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, today I recognize an exceptional 
Georgian, COL Eric Boe. Eric grew up in Atlanta and graduated from 
Henderson High School in Chamblee in 1983. A distinguished graduate 
with honors from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Eric earned his bachelor 
of science in astronautical engineering and subsequently a masters of 
science in electrical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
  Eric has served his country with distinction. He has been an F-4E 
pilot, a T-38 instructor pilot, F-15C flight commander, and a test 
pilot for the F-15 and UH-1N, logging over 4,000 flight hours in 45 
different aircraft. Additionally, Eric flew 55 combat missions over 
Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch.
  In 2008, Eric was selected by NASA as a pilot and served in the 
Astronaut Office Advanced Vehicles Branch, Station Operations Branch, 
and Space Shuttle Branch as well as the Exploration Branch. In 2005-
2006, Eric served as NASA Director of Operations at the Gagarin 
Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia.
  On November 14, 2008, Eric made his first trip to space serving as 
the pilot on STS-126 Endeavour. The Endeavour launched from NASA's 
Kennedy Space Center with no delays or issues and docked with the 
International Space Station on November 16, 2008. The successful 16-day 
mission, which completed 250 orbits of Earth covering over 6 million 
miles, expanded the living quarters of the international space station 
and included four space walks by members of the Endeavour crew.
  Eric has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. Serving as 
a Cadet in the Georgia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, Eric earned the 
Spaatz Award, the highest award given to Civil Air Patrol cadets. 
Further, Eric has received various military decorations such as two 
Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Medals, five Aerial Achievement 
Medals, the three Air Force Achievement Medals, and the Air Force 
Commendation Medals, three Outstanding Unit Awards, and the Combat 
Readiness Medal.
  I want to acknowledge the achievements of the entire STS-126 
Endeavour crew and congratulate them on their successful mission. As a 
fellow Georgian, I want to especially thank Eric for his outstanding 
service to our nation as a combat pilot and astronaut. His love of 
country and dedication are an inspiration, and he is a role model and 
an example of leadership of which we can all be proud.

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