[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 40 (Friday, March 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE GRAND OPENING OF THE McAULIFFE-SHEPARD DISCOVERY 
                                 CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PAUL W. HODES

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 6, 2009

  Mr. HODES. Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate the McAuliffe-
Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, New Hampshire today on its 
official opening. The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center honors two of 
New Hampshire's pioneers--Christa McAuliffe, the winner of the NASA 
Teacher in Space Project, and Alan Shepard, the first American in 
space. The incredible courage and curiosity of these two Granite 
Staters allowed for them to reach for the stars.
  Christa McAuliffe taught middle school and high school students at 
Rundlett Junior High, 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 to participate in NASA's Teacher in 
Space Project. Christa McAuliffe's mission on the flight was to teach 
schoolchildren lessons from space, and to encourage students to pursue 
careers in science and mathematics. Sadly, in 1986, her life was cut 
tragically short in the Challenger disaster, but her legacy of teaching 
children is remembered by her quote, ``I touch the future. I teach.''
  Christa McAuliffe's incredible commitment to teaching is being 
honored by the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center. This interactive 
center will be the first air and space center in New England. The 
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center honors her life as well as her 
dedication to education.
  On May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard piloted the Freedom 7 mission and became 
the first American to travel into space. Alan Shepard also commanded 
the Apollo 14 mission, and was the fifth person to walk on the moon. 
Following his incredible work with NASA for over 13 years, he has been 
honored in many different ways including the Congressional Space Medal 
of Honor, two NASA Distinguished Service Medals, the NASA Exceptional 
Achievement Medal, Naval Astronaut Wings, the Navy Distinguished 
Service Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. The McAuliffe-
Shepard Discovery Center is another wonderful way to honor his service 
to our country.
  I would also like to applaud the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center's 
dedication to green building and energy efficiency. According to the 
Department of Energy, buildings are responsible for 39% of U.S. carbon 
emissions per year and account for 39% of U.S. primary energy use. By 
incorporating natural lighting and energy efficient HVAC systems, the 
Center is helping decrease total carbon emission. It also highlights 
how important it is for all of us to preserve our energy, resources and 
planet.
  The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is a great opportunity for 
Concord and New Hampshire to have a facility that can be a national 
leader in introducing the next generation to space exploration and 
provide a valuable education resource to both students and teachers in 
science, math, engineering, and technology. Education is one of the 
best investments we can make for our children. It provides an 
increasingly important advantage in the workplace and helps our 
students to succeed in the 21st Century. Education, and science, math, 
engineering, and technology education in particular, should be within 
the reach of all children. The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center helps 
us towards that goal.
  I am honored and humbled by the incredible legacy of these two 
astronauts from New Hampshire, and congratulate the McAuliffe-Shepard 
Discovery Center on its grand opening.

                          ____________________