[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 12]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   TRIBUTE TO PATRICK E. SCHEUERMANN

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I am reminded each time I look to the sky of 
the reach Americans have made to the heavens. I am extremely proud that 
every manned spaceflight since the Apollo program has been powered by 
engines tested at a facility in my home State of Mississippi, the John 
C. Stennis Space Center. There, a dedicated group of professionals 
labors largely unheralded to ensure the performance and safety of the 
engines that propel our astronauts into space. Although I have known 
many of these outstanding Mississippians in my years in Congress, I 
only recently had the opportunity to work closely with one of these 
professionals. The leadership at NASA decided to offer a legislative 
fellowship to Congress to one of NASA Stennis' rising stars, Mr. 
Patrick Scheuermann.
  Patrick arrived on Capitol Hill in January, 1999, at the beginning of 
a very busy opening session of the 106th Congress. Although many 
thought other proceedings that opened the 106th would supercede a 
legislative agenda, the Senate professional and personal staffs ensured 
that, in the background, the business of Congress stayed in motion. 
Patrick cut his teeth in the difficult staff preparations for the 
legislative cycle that would take place around the issues that 
dominated the Senate floor. An effort was underway at NASA to 
reinvigorate manned space flight and to reduce the cost of getting to 
space. Patrick was assigned to research and report on these initiatives 
and to keep my legislative staff briefed on their status through the 
Authorization and Appropriations process.
  Patrick approached his assignment with the interest of someone who 
not only enjoys what he does, but with the infectious enthusiasm that 
brings others onboard as well. My staff quickly became knowledgeable of 
the many NASA programs that together form our Nation's efforts to reach 
space. I found more and more space related meetings on the calendar. As 
the Session progressed, the Senate led the charge to complete the first 
NASA Authorization Bill in many years. One hundred million dollars was 
added to the NASA budget to develop third generation reusable launch 
vehicle technology, a program known as Spaceliner 100. Patrick's 
ability to explain the facets of NASA's programs to legislative 
staffers and his vigilance as changes developed ensured the ultimate 
success of these endeavors. His detailed understanding of Stennis Space 
Center's capabilities and assets also proved to be of great value in 
assessing the facility's potential for commercial activities.
  Patrick has a long history with the Space Program. After earning his 
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of 
New Orleans, he made his first foray into the world of Rocket Science 
as a contract test engineer, testing Space Shuttle Main Engines at the 
Stennis Space Center. This brought him across the ``Great Divide'' that 
is the Pearl River and firmly onto Mississippi soil where the NASA 
hierarchy recognized and recruited the talented young engineer. 
Although our neighbors across the Pearl claim Patrick as a native son, 
Mississippians have adopted him for his hard work and strength of 
character. He also made the grade through his success in attracting one 
of Greater Picayune's finest, Miss Sarah Melissa Lee to be his bride. 
Together they have added to Mississippi's fame through their beautiful 
children, Chandler and Christina. Although I am sorry to lose the 
talent and expertise that Patrick brought to my staff, I am pleased 
that his return to the Stennis Space Center foretells many more years 
of innovation and success at this vital national treasure.

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