[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 16 (Monday, February 4, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A REMEMBRANCE OF THE HEROES OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE ``COLUMBIA--STS'' 109

  (Mr. OLSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, on April 12, 1981, the space shuttle Columbia 
blasted off into space to launch America's space shuttle program. She 
would complete 28 missions, with over 300 days in space. As every 
American knows, we lost Columbia as she came home on February 1, 2003. 
We all mourn the seven brave astronauts who lost their lives that day. 
We'll never forget Commander Rick Husband, Pilot Willie McCool, and the 
five mission specialists: Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana 
Chawla, Ilan Ramon from Israel, and Laurel Clark.
  As a Member of Congress who grew up with astronauts, I have been 
blessed to meet some of the families of Columbia's last crew. One of 
them said words I'll never forget:

       In their final moments, Columbia and her crew came home to 
     Texas.

  May the Columbia crew rest in peace with our eternal thoughts and 
blessings.

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