[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 151 (Thursday, September 19, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H7781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CHRISTA McAULIFFE

  (Mr. PAPPAS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of all New Hampshire 
residents and Americans in support of the Christa McAuliffe 
Commemorative Coin Act.
  Christa McAuliffe was a dedicated high school social studies teacher 
who understood how history is defined by ordinary people doing 
extraordinary things.
  Christa dared to touch the future as a teacher and as an astronaut. 
Selected from more than 11,000 applicants for NASA's Teacher in Space 
Program, she inspired the world and furthered our Nation's commitment 
to exploration inside and outside the classroom. I remember watching 
the shuttle launch as a kindergarten student on January 28, 1986, 
feeling the pride that a New Hampshire teacher from just up the road in 
Concord was making history.
  Although Christa McAuliffe and six other souls were tragically lost 
in the Challenger explosion, her legacy endures. The creation of the 
commemorative coin is one way we can honor her and all of our educators 
for opening doors of opportunity and challenging students to succeed. 
The proceeds from these coins will support FIRST Robotics, a program 
that is building the next generation of creators, leaders, and 
dreamers. I urge my colleagues to pass this bipartisan legislation 
today.

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