[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF DR. MARY ELLEN WEBER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 7, 2012

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable woman, 
Dr. Mary Ellen Weber. She is a veteran Astronaut, an instrument-rated 
pilot, a world-class skydiver, and Vice President of Government Affairs 
and Policy at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at 
Dallas.
  As a NASA Astronaut for ten years, Dr. Weber inspired and awed our 
nation by completing two Space Shuttle flights, 297 earth orbits, and 
traveling 7.8 million miles. Among the youngest Astronauts ever to 
venture into space, she served as a pioneer for space exploration by 
flying aboard the Atlantis on mission STS-101. The mission was a 
critical early construction project for the International Space 
Station, in which she spent over eighteen days in space. She helped 
launch $200 million communications satellite into Earth orbit when she 
flew aboard Discovery in 1995 on mission STS-70. After holding 
prestigious positions relaying reports to NASA's highest directors, she 
was awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal.
  Not only is she a veteran in space, but she is an avid skydiver and 
pilot. She shares a world record for the largest freefall formation 
with 300 skydivers. She has logged over 4,000 skydives, and received 
twelve silver and bronze medals from the U.S. National Skydiving 
Championships. In addition, she is an instrument-rated pilot with over 
600 hours in NASA's jet aircraft.
  Dr. Weber was destined to share her knowledge of science. She 
received an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University, a Ph.D. in 
physical chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley, and a 
B.S. in chemical engineering from Purdue University. She published 
eight scientific papers and received one patent. In 2003, she became 
Vice President of Government Affairs and Policy at the University of 
Texas Southwestern Medical Center. UT Southwestern Medical Center is 
one highest acclaimed medical school, research, and hospital complex in 
Dallas, Texas.
  I was sworn in as a Member of Congress in 2003 and that is how I met 
Dr. Weber in her role with UT Southwestern Medical Center. With her 
support and leadership, we were able to create a Health Care Fellowship 
between my office and UT Southwestern Medical Center. This successful 
program has provided what has become a very well regarded opportunity 
for Medical Doctors to have a front row seat in Congress to participate 
in the health care policy process. We have also partnered with UT 
Southwestern Medical Center on several joint events on their campus in 
Dallas. The Fellowship and events could not have been successfully 
executed without the guidance provided by Dr. Weber and the leadership 
at UT Southwestern.
  On February 8, 2012, Dr. Weber will be leaving UT Southwestern after 
nine years in government affairs. Her contribution to the NASA's space 
program and UT Southwestern Medical Center has been unprecedented and 
her departure will soon leave a void in many hearts. It is my great 
privilege to recognize Dr. Mary Ellen Weber for the ingenuity and 
commitment she has shown to the people of UT Southwestern, NASA, and 
our Nation.

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