[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S237-S238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 28--COMMEMORATING THE 20-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOSS 
                       OF SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA

  Ms. CANTWELL (for herself, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Kelly, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. 
Cornyn, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kaine, Mrs. Murray, Mr. 
Padilla, Mr. Warner, Mr. Durbin, and Mr. Scott of Florida) submitted 
the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 28

       Whereas space remains at the frontier of science, as 
     expressed in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy at Rice 
     University in Houston, Texas;
       Whereas space exploration has been integral to the global 
     technological leadership of the United States and to 
     inspiring a STEM workforce for more than 60 years;
       Whereas astronauts of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration have bravely given their lives in pursuit of 
     exploration;
       Whereas, on February 1, 2003, the United States and the 
     global space community joined together in mourning the loss 
     of Space Shuttle Columbia and the 7 astronauts of the STS-107 
     mission, who perished on their return home;
       Whereas United States Air Force Colonel Rick D. Husband, 
     Mission Commander, of Amarillo, Texas, died in service to his 
     nation;
       Whereas United States Navy Commander William ``Willie'' C. 
     McCool, Pilot, of San Diego, California, died in service to 
     his nation;
       Whereas United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael 
     P. Anderson, Payload Commander and Mission Specialist, of 
     Spokane, Washington, died in service to his nation;
       Whereas United States Navy Captain David M. Brown M.D., 
     Mission Specialist, of Arlington, Virginia, died in service 
     to his nation;
       Whereas United States Navy Captain Laurel B. Clark, Mission 
     Specialist, of Racine, Wisconsin, died in service to her 
     nation;
       Whereas Kalpana Chawla, Ph.D., Mission Specialist, of 
     Karnal, India, became a United States citizen and the first 
     woman of Indian origin in space and died in service her 
     nation;
       Whereas Israeli Air Force Colonel Ilan Ramon, Payload 
     Specialist, of Tel Aviv, Israel, became the first Israeli in 
     space and died in service to his nation;
       Whereas the people of the United States will not forget the 
     sacrifice of the crew of STS-107 aboard Space Shuttle 
     Columbia, as well as others who perished in the exploration 
     of space; and
       Whereas National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
     astronauts continue to make tremendous personal sacrifices 
     and risk their lives in service to their nation and to all of 
     humanity: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) remembers and honors the 7 astronauts who lost their 
     lives on February 1, 2003, on Space Shuttle Columbia;
       (2) expresses deep condolences and gratitude to the 
     families, friends, and colleagues of--
       (A) United States Air Force Colonel Rick D. Husband;
       (B) United States Navy Commander William ``Willie'' C. 
     McCool;

[[Page S238]]

       (C) United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael P. 
     Anderson;
       (D) United States Navy Captain David M. Brown;
       (E) United States Navy Captain Laurel B. Clark;
       (F) Dr. Kalpana Chawla; and
       (G) Israeli Air Force Colonel Ilan Ramon;
       (3) commends all those who assisted in the debris recovery 
     and accident investigation process, including helicopter 
     pilot Jules ``Buzz'' F. Mier Jr. and Texas Forest Service 
     Aviation Specialist Charles G. Krenek, who both died during 
     debris search, and dedicated staff across the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration; and
       (4) reaffirms the commitment of the United States 
     Government to create a culture of safety and innovation 
     within all agencies and companies pursuing the exploration of 
     space, including in the pursuit of the United States' return 
     to the Moon and first visit to Mars through the Artemis 
     missions and Moon to Mars efforts.

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