[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 2302-2303]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING CREW MEMBERS OF SPACE SHUTTLE ``COLUMBIA''

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Putnam) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the seven brave men 
and women of the Space Shuttle Columbia: Commander Rick Husband; Pilot 
William McCool; Payload Commander Michael Anderson; Specialist Kalpana 
Chawla; Specialist David Brown; Specialist Laurel Clark; and Specialist 
Ilan Ramon.
  Today America and the entire world grieves with the families and 
victims of the Space Shuttle Columbia. While there is no way one can 
adequately express in words the sense of sorrow that we all feel, know 
that our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of tragedy, and 
know their loss was part of a larger manifest destiny of human 
understanding, the continual exploration, the continual search for 
knowledge below our seas, in our heavens, around this Earth, and in 
planets beyond, a part of the continued tradition of American 
leadership in exploration, discovery, and technology.
  We have lost seven brave individuals, men and women, sons and 
daughters, mothers and fathers, husbands and wives. We will never 
forget their courage, bravery, and service to our Nation. Each of these 
individuals was a pioneer who gave their lives in the name of science 
and exploration.

                              {time}  1615

  They epitomized the best that America and mankind have to offer, and 
their efforts will not be lost or forgotten. We must finish the quest 
that they started, and we must continue on with our manned space 
exploration. I believe the crew of Columbia would expect nothing less.
  While America mourned your tragic loss, we will never forget your 
heroism.

[[Page 2303]]

You will forever be remembered in our hearts and in our minds as 
heroes.

                          ____________________