[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING COLONEL GUION ``GUY'' BLUFORD

  (Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize 
Westlake, Ohio, resident Colonel Guion ``Guy'' Bluford, who received 
the Ohio Distinguished Service Medal last week.
  Guy became the first African American astronaut to travel into space 
in 1983. He earned the Ohio Distinguished Service Medal, the highest 
noncombat decoration for service awarded by the State, for his 
commitment and dedication throughout his historic career in aviation.
  Before joining NASA, Bluford flew over 144 combat missions with the 
United States Air Force in South Vietnam. He later went on to earn his 
master's and doctorate degree with aerospace engineering at the Air 
Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 
Dayton, Ohio.
  We are proud and eternally grateful for Bluford's military service 
and dedication to space exploration. As NASA looks to expand mankind's 
horizons in space, his life achievements and aviation accomplishments 
serve as an inspiration to future generations.

                          ____________________