[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 13, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S2951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO LELAND DEVON MELVIN

 Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, I want to pay tribute to a 
distinguished Virginian, Leland Devon Melvin, who retired as Associate 
Administrator for Education of NASA on February 28, 2014 after 24 years 
of service to our Nation.
  Leland's career began on a different path, on the football field at 
the University of Richmond. Leland was a phenomenal wide receiver for 
the Spiders from 1982-1985 and still leads Richmond's career lists with 
198 receptions for 2,669 yards. He scored the fourth-most touchdowns in 
Richmond history, 16, and was inducted into the university's Athletics 
Hall of Fame in 1996-1997. Leland was drafted to play in the NFL by the 
Detroit Lions in 1986. He also trained with the Dallas Cowboys and the 
Toronto Argonauts.
  Hindered by injuries, Leland was unable to continue pursuing 
athletics and switched gears by earning his master of science degree in 
materials science engineering from the University of Virginia. Leland 
started his career at NASA in 1989 as an aerospace research engineer at 
NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton. He entered NASA's astronaut 
corps in 1998 and served on board the space shuttle Atlantis on two 
missions to the International Space Station in 2008 and 2009. Leland is 
one of only 14 African Americans to travel to space.
  Leland will finish his tenure at NASA as Associate Administrator for 
Education, a position he was appointed to in 2010. In this role, Leland 
has led NASA's efforts to teach young Americans the importance of 
science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, with a 
particular passion for underserved communities. Leland also serves on 
the White House National Science and Technology Council's Committee on 
STEM, which coordinates and oversees the STEM education activities and 
programs within the Federal government. On the global level, Leland 
serves as our Nation's representative to the International Space 
Education Board, which develops and coordinates worldwide efforts to 
educate students on space, science and technology.
  I commend Leland for his commitment to science and education, as well 
as public service. At a time when STEM education is becoming a priority 
for the United States, Leland's work has been beneficial to developing 
the skilled workforce necessary to drive our Nation's world-class 
innovations. Moreover, as an athlete who found a second passion at 
NASA, Leland serves as an iconic example of the opportunities young 
people can seize in science and technology. Leland's hard work, 
achievements and inspiring life story will undoubtedly leave a lasting 
impact on our Nation.
  On behalf of the Senate and the people of Virginia, I thank Leland 
for his invaluable service to NASA and the Nation. Although he may be 
leaving NASA, he will continue to educate and inspire long after his 
work is done. I wish him the best of luck in the months and years 
ahead.

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