[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATION AND LEADERSHIP OF DR. SALLY RIDE

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                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 29, 2010

  Mr. GRAYSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the amazing 
accomplishments and life-long dedication of Dr. Sally Ride on the 
anniversary of the 1983 Challenger journey that established her as the 
first American woman to travel into space. Since that journey, Dr. 
Ride, a distinguished educator and scientist, has dedicated her life to 
improving science education.
  Dr. Ride received her bachelor's degree, Master's and PhD in Physics 
from Stanford University. In the Stanford University paper, she saw an 
advertisement that NASA was seeking astronauts. Out of thousands of 
applicants, she was one of 35 candidates chosen for the space program. 
On June 18, 1983, Dr. Ride joined the crew aboard the space shuttle 
Challenger and, twenty-seven years ago on this date, became the first 
American woman to travel into space. After two journeys to space, she 
was preparing for her third mission when the Challenger exploded in 
1986. Dr. Ride continued to work with NASA by serving as a member of 
the Presidential Committee investigating the Challenger accident, and 
went on to serve as Special Assistant to the Administrator for long-
range planning at NASA headquarters.
  Dr. Ride continued her life-long commitment to promoting the fields 
of science, math, and technology, especially among young women by 
founding the Sally Ride Science Company in 2001. Dr. Ride wanted to 
share her passion and encourage young women to pursue careers in these 
fields. The company creates school programs and educational materials 
aimed at engaging young people's interest in these fields and changing 
society's perceptions of women in the math, science, and technology 
workforce.
  Madam Speaker, Central Florida is so proud of the space program and 
we recognize that its success would not be possible without the 
dedication of Dr. Ride. As a member of the Science and Technology 
committee, I have great respect and admiration for her contributions, 
not only to the space program, but also her work to motivate young 
people's interest in science. While Dr. Ride will always be known as 
the first American woman to travel into space, her commitment to 
advancing the education of future generations of young women ensure 
there will be many to follow.

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