[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 21, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E707-E708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING GINGER BARNES, CEO, UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 21, 2013

  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true leader in NASA's 
human spaceflight program. This individual is neither an astronaut nor 
a high-ranking NASA official, yet she has been deeply involved in our 
nation's achievements in space, and deserves public recognition.
  Virginia Barnes, or Ginger to those of us who know her, has been CEO 
and President of the United Space Alliance for the past three years. 
United Space Alliance is the company that was tasked by NASA to operate 
the Space Shuttle. During her tenure, both NASA and United Space 
Alliance were under tremendous pressure to complete the remaining 
flights necessary to finish construction of the International Space 
Station, as well as manage the transition and closeout of the Space 
Shuttle Program. This was an immense challenge given the size of the 
workforce, assets, and facilities affected. Adding to this pressure was 
the vast public attention given to the Space Shuttle on its final 
flights after 30 years of service. This process forced America to 
accept the reality that we would not fly in space in our own 
spacecraft, for quite some time.
  During this stressful and challenging period, Ginger guided the 
United Space Alliance with steady resolve, and calm leadership 
balancing decisions on what was in the best interest of the Space 
Shuttle Program. Painful choices were made that affected workers and 
their families, many of whom had dedicated their entire careers to the 
Space Shuttle. Ginger handled this process with grace, care and 
consideration. Now that the last files have been boxed up, the Space 
Shuttle orbiters

[[Page E708]]

have been transferred to their final display locations, and the 
facilities have been mothballed or transitioned to other programs, 
Ginger's work on behalf of the Space Shuttle program is complete.
  Thankfully, Ginger is not leaving the space program. She will be 
returning to the Boeing Corporation, where she worked for her entire 
career prior to assuming leadership at the United Space Alliance. 
Hopefully, she will have some more time to pursue her hobbies as a 
licensed commercial pilot and hot air balloonist, as well as spend time 
with her family. The space industry is lucky to be able to retain her 
exceptional knowledge and expertise as America embarks on our next 
space journey. I thank her for her service to our civil space program, 
and look forward to more accomplishments to come in the years ahead.

                          ____________________