[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 17 (Thursday, January 28, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S348-S349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 352--COMMEMORATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOSS 
  OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER AND OF TEACHER IN SPACE S. CHRISTA 
                  McAULIFFE OF CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE

  Ms. AYOTTE (for herself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Thune, Mr. 
Cruz, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Schatz, and Mr. Peters) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 352

       Whereas, on January 28, 1986, the 7 crew members of the 
     Space Shuttle Challenger, Commander Francis R. Scobee, Pilot 
     Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialist Ellison S. Onizuka, 
     Mission Specialist Ronald E. McNair, Mission Specialist 
     Judith A. Resnik, Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis, and 
     Teacher in Space and Payload Specialist S. Christa McAuliffe, 
     were killed in a tragic explosion shortly after liftoff;
       Whereas, for as long as there has been human consciousness, 
     human beings have looked to the stars in curiosity, delight, 
     and awe;
       Whereas, throughout the course of human history, humankind 
     was Earth-bound, yet spoke of visiting the celestial bodies;
       Whereas the foundation and development of the United States 
     were driven by a pioneering spirit;
       Whereas reaching out into space exhibits the strength of 
     the human capacity to engineer and persevere;
       Whereas the people of the United States who have journeyed 
     into space have personified the national pride of the United 
     States;
       Whereas, in 1986, a crew of individuals representing the 
     best of the United States stepped forward to ride a rocket 
     into space, knowing that explorers throughout the ages have 
     put the need for knowledge above their own welfare;
       Whereas, on January 28, 1986, the United States cried out 
     in grief at the loss of those 7 most brave voyagers;
       Whereas Christa McAuliffe, a teacher with an infectious 
     spirit and tremendous bravery, not content to make the world 
     her classroom, prepared to expand her schoolroom to the 
     stars;
       Whereas Christa McAuliffe, through her educational 
     endeavor, sought to inspire adults and children alike by 
     pushing the bounds of the human experience and by rousing all 
     people to imagine the most of human potential;
       Whereas the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, 
     New Hampshire is a living memorial to embody the legacy of 
     this intrepid woman; and
       Whereas January 28, 2016, is a day on which the people of 
     the United States should pause

[[Page S349]]

     to remember those pioneers who lost their lives 30 years ago: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the 30th anniversary of the loss of the 
     Space Shuttle Challenger;
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to preserve 
     the legacy of the crew of the Challenger; and
       (3) recognizes the inspiration provided by a teacher for 
     all Earth, Christa McAuliffe.

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