[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 167 (Thursday, November 21, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING DAVID LAVERY AND THE MARS SCIENCE LABORATORY TEAM FOR 
    RECEIPT OF THE SAMUEL J. HEYMAN SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDAL

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2013

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate my 
constituent David Lavery, as well as his colleagues on the Mars Science 
Laboratory Team for being awarded the Samuel J. Heyman Science and 
Environment Medal. The Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals 
(referred to as the Sammies) pay tribute to America's dedicated federal 
workforce, highlighting those who have made significant contributions 
to our country. Honorees are chosen based on their commitment and 
innovation, as well as the impact of their work on addressing the needs 
of the nation.
  As Program Executive for Solar System Exploration, Mr. Lavery leads 
the Curiosity rover mission to Mars that is exploring the Red Planet's 
geology and climate and assessing whether conditions are favorable for 
microbial life and future human exploration. This historic mission is 
the culmination of more than a decade of perseverance, engineering 
breakthroughs, and scientific innovations. The mission's findings will 
rewrite the textbooks on the geology of Mars and shed light on the 
possibility of life-supporting environments there.
  Working on the cutting edge of space exploration at NASA was Mr. 
Lavery's childhood dream. Although unable to become an astronaut, he 
has twice helped place American technology on the surface of another 
planet. His first flight project was Sojourner--a rover sent to Mars in 
1997. For the Curiosity mission, Lavery carefully supervised every step 
of the process leading to the launch. According to Jonathan Rall, 
assistant director of NASA's Planetary Science Division, ``Without 
Dave's constant oversight for this mission, it would not have been 
successful.''
  This award is just the latest achievement in an amazing public 
service career that extends beyond NASA to include his years mentoring 
the robotics team at Herndon High School, guiding them in national 
competitions and inspiring generations of young Americans to pursue 
careers in science and technology.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our highest 
praise and congratulations to the Dave Lavery and the eight other 
public servants from around the country who have been honored with 
Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals this year. Their 
achievements range from working to eradicate polio in India to landing 
an exploratory vehicle on Mars to saving the Air Force more than $1 
billion in 2012 by reducing energy consumption. It has been my great 
privilege and honor to represent tens of thousands of exceptional 
Federal workers who hail from Virginia's 11th Congressional District. 
They all deserve our thanks and respect.

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