[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 2384-2414]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE TO THE FAMILIES OF THE CREW OF THE 
                       SPACE SHUTTLE ``COLUMBIA''

  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution (H. Res. 51) expressing 
the condolences of the House of Representatives to the families of the 
crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia, and for other purposes, and ask 
unanimous consent for its immediate consideration pursuant to the 
following order:
  Debate on the resolution shall be limited to 2 hours equally divided 
and controlled by the majority leader and the minority leader or their 
designees; and the previous question shall be considered as ordered on 
the resolution to final adoption without intervening motion.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to

[[Page 2385]]

revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 51.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) and the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) each will control 1 hour.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay).
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I begin by observing that Members of this House share a 
special reverence and appreciation for Americans who risk their lives 
in the service of freedom. So on their behalf, let me extend our 
deepest gratitude and condolences to all the people who have entrusted 
the United States with their loved ones aboard Columbia.
  Let us also offer the same spirit of solace to the men and women of 
Israel.
  We hope that, through faith, God's healing comfort will lift our 
friends with heavy hearts to the ``place of broad rivers and streams'' 
with their grief receding upon the far shores.
  Space is an American mission. And our accomplishments in space have 
led to some of our proudest hours as a country. During wartime, it is 
even more important to pursue goals that are more capable of rallying 
all of us.
  Americans will not be motivated by petty goals or timid objectives. 
Appeals of this sort fall on deaf ears. Only bold ideas and audacious 
goals seize our attention in this country. So what will it take?
  We need daring dreams that strain the bonds of conventional wisdom. 
We need to begin journeys that are capable of challenging innately 
American qualities of ingenuity and determination, curiosity and 
courage.
  An American always seeks to climb the next hill, to cross the next 
river, and to reach the next valley. We are born with an insatiable 
hunger to look over the horizon. It is a quality that runs through the 
special clay from which our maker formed us, and it holds true for 
Americans wherever they are born, because the magic of our principles 
exerts a magnetic pull upon people who are destined to be Americans. 
They are drawn home to us, just as Colonel Ramon, a man of determined 
actions and courageous curiosity, was drawn to Texas to share life's 
dream with our six intrepid Americans.
  We are special. The people of this country will reject shallow goals. 
We need a space program that aspires to meet our lofty expectation. 
Ronald Reagan liked to quote the poet Carl Sandburg who wrote, ``The 
Republic is a dream. Nothing happens unless first a dream.''
  We know what we have done, but only in our dreams do we learn what we 
can do. Space exploration is destined to remain the highest expression 
of our national dreams.
  President Theodore Roosevelt properly summed up the spirits that have 
driven so many of our fellow citizens to cross countless boundaries.
  ``Far better it is,'' said Roosevelt, ``to dare mighty things, to win 
glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to take rank 
with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because 
they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.''
  For 4 decades, Americans have known that human space flight is the 
most dangerous and daring endeavor human beings have ever attempted. 
The seven men and women of Columbia risked their lives to dare bold 
dreams and advance the boundaries of human knowledge. This courage is 
the work of our creator.
  As we lost sight of our heroes through flames in the forehead of the 
morning sky, we can take great solace in knowing that they are now 
beyond pain. All of them have now been safely returned to the folds of 
our master's cloak.
  For comfort and for consolation, let us turn to the Psalmist: ``The 
highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the Earth he has given to man. 
It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to silence; 
it is we who extol the Lord, both now and for evermore. Praise the 
Lord.''
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) 
is recognized for 1 hour.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to join the distinguished majority leader in 
introducing the House Resolution honoring the crew of Space Shuttle 
Columbia. I wish to express my condolences to the distinguished 
majority leader and our colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Lampson), in whose district the Johnson Space Center is domiciled; and 
to all of our colleagues from Texas, to them and to their constituents 
we offer our deepest, deepest sympathy.
  The astronauts trained and lived in Houston, traveled 6 million miles 
away; and as President Bush said so eloquently yesterday, ``We lost 
them so close to home.''
  Yesterday I had the privilege of joining many of my colleagues in 
traveling to Houston for a memorial service honoring the seven heroic 
astronauts who were lost on Saturday morning when the Space Shuttle 
Columbia exploded just minutes before its scheduled landing.
  These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice so that we 
might enhance our understanding of the universe. They have the eternal 
gratitude of an entire Nation and, indeed, the entire world.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge and pay my respects to 
Sean O'Keefe, the administrator of NASA, and the people who work at 
NASA, for their dedication, for their courage and to acknowledge the 
suffering they are going through having lost their friends.
  The world mourns the deaths of Air Force Colonel Rick Husband, the 
shuttle's commander; Navy Commander Willie McCool, the mission's pilot; 
Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael Anderson, the payload commander in 
charge of the science equipment; Dr. Kalpana Chawla, an aerospace 
engineer, an exceptional young woman; Navy doctors Captain David Brown 
and Commander Laurel Salton Clark; and Colonel Ilan Ramon, the first 
Israeli in space.
  I want to extend my condolences to Prime Minister Sharon and the 
people of Israel on the loss that they and we have suffered in losing 
Colonel Ilan Ramon. We are all blessed to have had such outstanding men 
and women serving in our space program.
  For more than 4 decades, the space program has been a bold expression 
of American optimism. Who can forget the burst of national pride when 
our former congressional colleague John Glenn first orbited the Earth 
in 1962, and again 7 years later when Neil Armstrong took that one 
small step for man, that one giant leap for mankind?
  Perhaps that spirit was best expressed by the philosopher Socrates, 
who lived thousands of years before space travel began. He said, 
``Humanity must rise above the Earth, to the top of the atmosphere and 
beyond, for only then will we fully understand the world in which we 
live.''
  Space travel has been driven by more than a sense of adventure and 
curiosity. Our forays into space have been about advancing the human 
conditions in science and discovery. NASA and the space program have 
helped put the United States on the technological cutting edge, 
strengthening our economy and fortifying our national defense.
  Space exploration has led to life-saving medical research, high-
performance computers, and ground-breaking satellite technologies. 
Driven by the need to provide energy to satellites and spacecraft, NASA 
spurred the development of solar photovoltaic cells and fuel cells. By 
collecting data about Earth's geology, atmosphere and water, the space 
program helps us protect the environment and use our natural resources 
wisely.
  The space program alone has contributed to the development of 
everything from life-saving heart pumps to ultraviolet-protection 
suits, to increasing our knowledge of global warming and the aging 
process.

[[Page 2386]]

  The exploration of other worlds has allowed us to enhance our 
understanding of our own world. The search for life elsewhere in the 
universe has enriched our lives here on Earth. But like any ambitious 
mission worth undertaking, space travel is not without risk; and in 
this case, tragically, the risk is measured in human lives.
  During these days of mourning, our thoughts and prayers are with the 
families of the astronauts. I hope that it is a comfort to them that 
the whole world mourns their loss and is praying for them at this sad 
time. And so it is with great sadness that I join my distinguished 
colleague, the majority leader, in introducing this resolution honoring 
the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia. 
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Blunt), the distinguished majority whip.
  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for recognizing me and 
him and the gentlewoman for introducing this resolution.
  Just a week ago, America remembered the anniversary of the loss of 
the Space Shuttle Challenger and its crew as it headed toward orbit. 
This week America is grieving the loss and praying for the families of 
the seven-person crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia which was destroyed 
suddenly and unexpectedly as it headed back to Earth.
  America's manned space program has used science, technology and 
experience to reduce the risk of space travel. Exploring space and 
space travel have never been risk free, but they have given us the 
ability to keep improving things on Earth, as well as to keep improving 
the program itself.
  We learned when three Apollo I crew members perished in January of 
1967 in a fire during a test that the use of purified oxygen in a space 
craft's cabin was hazardous. We made improvements. We learned when 
seven astronauts were killed in January of 1986 when the Challenger 
broke apart during launch that there were design flaws with the O-ring 
system in the booster rockets. We made improvements.
  Whatever we learn from last Saturday's tragedy will push our space 
program further than it has been before and make it safer than it has 
been before.
  We will soon see an international space station built and completed. 
America has led the way, pushing the limits of space and for people 
that were Earthbound a little more than a century ago.
  The pursuit of space with an international coalition was reflected in 
the brave crew that perished on Saturday.
  Kalpana Chawla told Mission Control how beautiful the Earth looked 
from miles above as she summoned the crew to the shuttle window. Chawla 
logged more than 376 hours in space.
  Colonel Ilan Ramon, as the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) 
just mentioned, was the son of a Holocaust survivor, Israel's first 
space traveler. He spoke about the quiet of space and was quoted 
saying, ``I only hope that the quiet can one day spread to my 
country.''

                              {time}  1530

  Ramon was selected as a payload specialist by the Israeli Air Force 
and approved by NASA in 1998. He reported for training at NASA's 
Johnson Space Center in Houston in July 1998 and was making his first 
space flight.
  Navy flight surgeon Laurel Clark liked to say, ``Life continues in a 
lot of places.'' She was selected by NASA in 1996. It was her first 
space flight.
  Air Force colonel Rick Husband, the shuttle commander, loved the hymn 
``How Great Thou Art,'' which includes the phrase, ``I see the stars. I 
hear the mighty thunder. Thy power throughout the universe displayed.'' 
Selected in 1994, Husband logged more than 235 hours in space.
  As a boy, Navy flight surgeon David Brown thought of astronauts as 
movie stars and grew up to be a physician, an aviator who could land on 
the deck of a carrier in the middle of the night. Later, he became a 
shuttle astronaut.
  Columbia pilot William McCool was a former Eagle Scout and test 
pilot. He was in space his first time.
  Payload commander Michael Anderson said recently to his pastor, If 
this thing does not come out right, do not worry about me; I am going 
on to a higher place. Commander Anderson has told people he could not 
recall a time when he did not want to be an astronaut.
  Congress will be asking questions and will provide oversight in an 
attempt to understand the loss of Columbia and its crew. The goal is to 
further reduce the risk for future shuttle flights.
  May the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia be with God and may God be 
with those they have left behind.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson). The Johnson Space 
Center is domiciled in his district. He probably had more constituents 
affected by this tragedy than any other Member, and in yielding him the 
3 minutes I also yield him the privilege of managing the rest of the 
time on this important resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Miller of Florida). Is there objection 
to the request of the gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman, the minority 
leader, for yielding me the time, and also it is a pleasure to have 
joined her and our majority leader yesterday and all of our colleagues 
who came to Houston to express their condolences at the wonderful 
memorial service there.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution honoring the 
Columbia shuttle and her crew. Many of my colleagues have and will 
express the impact that this tragedy has had on our Nation far more 
eloquently than what I can.
  I share their feelings, but I would also like to talk about what the 
loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia means to the 9th Congressional 
District of Texas, the home of the Johnson Space Center.
  While the Clear Lake area shares the national vision for an 
aggressive and exciting manned space program, back home the space 
shuttle and the international space station take on even more personal 
dimension. All of the astronauts in the NASA program, including the 
seven aboard the Columbia, are part of our community. They are our 
friends and our neighbors. Their kids go to school with our kids. They 
shop at the same grocery stores and pray at the same churches and 
synagogues.
  The employees and contractors at the Johnson Space Center are 
connected to the astronauts not just at work but in their everyday 
life. The community at JSC is an extended family. Amidst all the lofty 
talk, ceremonies and resolutions, let us not forget that a community 
and seven families lost friends, brothers, fathers, sons, wives, 
sisters, mothers, and daughters.
  Back in Clear Lake, right off the Johnson Space Center campus, there 
is a place called Frenchy's. It is a place where the astronauts and 
employees often go for dinner, gather after work, share their 
experiences and bond in a very special way. I stopped by there Saturday 
evening and wanted to report back to my colleagues what I saw and 
heard.
  Ironically, the traditional after-mission autographed crew mission 
picture hung on the wall where it belonged. For some reason, they went 
by before their mission instead of after.
  There was a feeling of crushing sadness and loss but also a hope that 
the vision and dream that those seven heroes died for will not be lost 
but, instead, will be reborn; that their loss will remind the American 
people of the great challenge we face and the prospect of a better 
world that the space program gives us.
  I speak today not just as a Member of Congress but as part of a 
community that firmly believes in what Rick Husband, William McCool, 
Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Blair and Ilan 
Ramon gave their lives for. On behalf of the 9th District of Texas and 
the people of the Johnson Space Center, I urge this country and this 
body to go forward, support this resolution and support the continued 
presence of America in space.

[[Page 2387]]

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart).
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority 
leader for yielding me the time.
  Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers today here in the Congress of 
the United States are with the seven heroes of the Columbia and with 
their families.
  The space program is emblematic of the American people: daring, self-
confident, brave and determined to do great things.
  I think the seven heroes of the Columbia would be pleased if we here 
and now determine and resolve to support the space program with renewed 
and increased vigor and seriousness. Commander Rick Husband; pilot 
William McCool; payload commander Michael Anderson; mission specialists 
David Brown, Laurel Clark and Kalpana Chawla; and the Israeli astronaut 
Ilan Ramon, they gave their lives to improve all of our lives; and we, 
Mr. Speaker, owe them our full support for the continuation of space 
exploration.
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, if I could, in order to even out the time, I 
yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth).
  Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution; and, oh, how I wish we were not in this well at this time 
to express such sentiments.
  Mr. Speaker, we differ on issues. That is the hallmark of a free 
people, and yet this afternoon we rise as one to remember and 
memorialize the contribution and the sacrifice of the Columbia Seven.
  Of the seven aboard, Mr. Speaker, several had connections to Arizona, 
perhaps the most pointed and poignant that of payload specialist 
Michael Anderson. Though Michael called Spokane, Washington, home, he 
spent some of his younger years in the State of Arizona, attended 
Avondale Elementary School and carried with him on this flight a T-
shirt from that school and that student body. The principal at Avondale 
Elementary now says another type of special memorial will be there in 
the school to remember that special student.
  Indeed, also in our West Valley, Mr. Speaker, there is the Challenger 
Learning Center, so named for another group of seven who paid the 
ultimate price; and at Central Arizona College there is a NASA 
Aerospace Education Center.
  Mr. Speaker, we are reaffirming some difficult lessons today, even as 
we memorialize and celebrate America's mission and indeed mankind's 
mission to the stars, as we think that over four decades ago President 
Kennedy stood at the podium behind us, challenging this Nation to land 
a man on the moon and bring him safely back home to earth before the 
decade of the 1960s is out.
  Mr. Speaker, we remember the message of the Australian Prime Minister 
upon the landing on the moon when he said, We salute the spirit of 
dangerous adventure that has brought mankind to this accomplishment.
  The danger remains apparent. The spirit of adventure remains, Mr. 
Speaker. We remember and memorialize the Columbia Seven; and as we 
remember, as we rededicate, as we conduct the inevitable oversight that 
our Constitution mandates, let us make the vow not to retreat but to 
advance, to think beyond what has gone before, to revisit the moon, to 
one day be involved in manned exploration of Mars, to continue the 
advancement of human knowledge for which the Columbia Seven gave their 
all. That is the true memorial to these heroes who soared in the 
heavens and embraced the spirit of dangerous adventure.
  God bless them and their families and all affiliated with them and 
our great country.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), my colleague from the Committee on 
Science.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me express my 
appreciation to the leadership for bringing this forth and to say how 
important it is that we take the time to give recognition to those 
heroic persons who did lose their lives. I am very certain, however, 
that they did not lose their lives in vain.
  This space exploration research program has been one of the most 
successful research programs in the history of this country, and I know 
that we will investigate well to see what happened and improve upon it.
  I also know that, over 40 years ago, the foresight of persons that 
came along before us caused us to get into this type of research. We 
also owe those leaders some homage for their foresight, and I am hoping 
that we will then have the foresight to continue this type of research.
  The scientific technological advances made possible by space research 
include much: arteriosclerosis detection, ultrasound scanners, the 
automatic insulin pump, portable X-ray devices, invisible braces, 
dental arch wire, palate surgery technology, clean room apparel, 
implantable heart aid, the MRI, the bone analyzer and the cataract 
surgery tools and on and on, the digital imaging breast biopsy system.
  So many, many lives have been saved because we have lost a few in 
trying.
  The life-saving light that saves lives through the application of 
lighting technology initially developed for plant growth experiments on 
space shuttle missions. The doctors at the University of Wisconsin in 
Milwaukee use light-emitting diodes in a treatment called photodynamic 
therapy, a form of chemotherapy to treat brain tumors in children and 
aid significantly in wound-healing treatment.
  A consumer product, the toy for tots, many, many toys have been made 
because of that, that has increased the economy, and I could go on, 
with the artificial heart device known as the miniaturized ventricular 
assist pump. The vehicle tracking system, and many of us drive cars 
that have the night-extended sight vision, came from space exploration.
  Mr. Speaker, I will end by simply saying the best way to show our 
appreciation for these heroes is to continue this research and be a 
visionary for the future. Without vision, we perish.
  Human space exploration is inherently risky. Distance, speed and an 
environment that can not support human life combine to make human space 
flights particularly precarious.
  Unfortunately the world has new evidence of the dangers associated 
with space exploration. Millions watched as images of a singular, 
brilliant point of light in the sky became two, three, and four points 
of light as Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart over my home State of 
Texas.
  I join the rest of the country and the world in mourning the seven 
brave astronauts whom we lost in this national tragedy. The outpouring 
of sympathy from the citizens of the world is recognition that the crew 
heroically put their lives on the line in the name of science and 
research.
  More than a decade ago, January 28th, 1986, our country's space 
program was dealt another tragedy as we lost the crew of the Space 
Shuttle Challenger. The findings of the ``Report of the Presidential 
Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident'' (referred to as 
the Rogers' Commission Report) have changed NASA procedures to make 
human space flight safer. It is incumbent upon the federal government 
to conduct a vigorous and comprehensive investigation to uncover and 
alleviate the events that led to Columbia accident.
  I pledge to do what I can to help our space program recover from this 
terrible setback so these important endeavors can flourish in the 
future. As a Senior member of the Science Committee, I will work 
closely with my House colleagues to assist NASA and Harold Gehman Jr. 
who will lead the special investigative commission.
  I am the ranking member of the Science Subcommittee on Basic 
Research. In this important capacity, I have taken a major leadership 
role regarding America's commitment to technological development and 
scientific research and application. As such, I am a firm believer that 
the United States will continue our space program that has accomplished 
so much in the areas of research and science.
  This important and beneficial program is essential to advancing 
technology.
  Specific technological advances made possible by space research 
include the arteriosclerosis detection, ultrasound scanners, automatic 
insulin pump, portable x-ray device, invisible braces, dental arch 
wire, palate surgery

[[Page 2388]]

technology, clean room apparel, implantable heart aid, MRI, bone 
analyzer, and cataract surgery tools.
  The Space Shuttle Program has yielded many lifesaving medical tests, 
accessibility advances for the physically challenged, and products that 
make our lives more safe and enjoyable. Such as:
  The Digital Imaging Breast Biopsy System developed from Space 
Telescope technology incorporates the advanced Charged Coupled Devise, 
a high tech silicon chip, used as part of a digital camera system that 
sees the breast structure with x-ray vision. The CCD images breast 
tissue more clearly and efficiently through a procedure known as 
stereotactic core then-needle biopsy.
  With the help of companies like FIDE and LORAD, this procedure 
provides patient with non-invasive procedure which reduces pain, 
scarring, radiation exposure, time and cost. The Space Shuttle was the 
vehicle used to assist in the space telescope repair mission and 
development of the technology.
  Lifesaving Light Saves Lives through application of a special 
lighting technology initially developed for plant growth experiments on 
Space Shuttle missions. Doctors at University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee 
use light emitting diodes in a treatment called photodynamic therapy, a 
form of chemotherapy, to treat brain tumors in children and aid 
significantly in would healing treatment.
  A Consumer Product Toy for Tots was developed using NASA wind-tunnel 
and aerodynamic expertise from the Space Shuttle program. Hasbro, Inc. 
improved the flying distances and loop-to-loop stunts for its toy 
gliders designed for a child to fly.
  Public Safety takes a Byte out of Crime using image processing 
technology initially used to analyze Space Shuttle launch video and 
study meteorological images. This Space Shuttle mission technology 
helps law enforcement agencies improve crime solving videos.
  An Artificial Heart device known as the miniaturized ventricular 
assist pump, developed by NASA and renowned heart surgeon Dr. Michael 
DeBakey, was derived from technology used in Space Shuttle fuel pumps. 
The tiny pump--2 inches long, 1 inch in diameter and weighing less than 
four ounces has been successfully implanted into more than 20 patients.
  A Vehicle Tracking System tracks information originally used onboard 
Space Shuttle missions now helps track vehicles on Earth. This 
commercial spinoff allows vehicles to transmit a signal back to a home 
base. Municipalities today use the software to track and reassign 
emergency and public works vehicles. It also is used by vehicle fleet 
operations, such as taxis, armored cars and vehicles carrying hazardous 
cargo.
  As witnessed, the Space Shuttle can be configured to carry many 
different types of equipment and scientific experiments. The Space 
Shuttle is essential in the assembly of the International Space Station 
(advancing life sciences & technology through long-duration missions) 
and repairing and servicing the Hubble Space Telescope (enabling many 
new discoveries in Space Science).
  As an enabling function, the Space Shuttle is fully engaged in 
providing services for earth and physical science research. The Space 
Shuttle also engages the private sector in the development of space by 
providing flight opportunities for industry, academia and government to 
conduct applied research relevant to NASA's mission through access to 
the space environment. I will foresee that cooperative activities with 
the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science 
Foundation (NSF), the Department of Defense (DoD) and other U.S. 
agencies will continue to advance knowledge of health, medicine, 
science and technology.
  STS-107, which was lost on February 1, 2003, was a 16-day mission 
dedicated to research in physical, life, and space sciences, conducted 
in approximately 80 separate experiments, comprised of hundreds of 
samples and test points. With two Americans and a Russian still 
stationed at the International Space Station, it is imperative that 
this program not come to a halt. This most unfortunate and tragic loss 
of five men and two women, representing a mosaic of races and 
nationalities, will be mourned and these great American heroes will not 
be forgotten.
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Boehlert), the Chairman of the Committee on Science, 
manage the remainder of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Feeney) and send condolences because the gentleman's wife 
is part of the NASA family and has also suffered this loss.

                              {time}  1545

  Mr. FEENEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gracious majority 
leader and minority leader also for their resolution today.
  Mr. Speaker, the Columbia's crew made remarkable use of their gift of 
life. To borrow thoughts from the late Christopher Lasch, these 
astronauts belonged to a band of people who achieve selflessness by 
dedicating themselves to a tremendous challenge, mastering arduous, 
risky pursuits, meeting impersonal standards, and struggling towards an 
ideal of perfection.
  As you listen to the crew's family members and loved ones, you grasp 
that their strivings were not solitary. Each astronaut was surrounded 
by those who supported his or her calling. Many people have calls, but 
few are blessed to be so unconditionally loved and supported, 
especially when their pursuit involves danger, risk, and the unknown. 
During their all-too-brief lives, each member of Columbia's crew 
achieved greatness because somebody told them they should follow their 
hearts.
  Columbia's crew pursued life with passion. But Saturday reminded us 
of that word's Greek roots. Passion means ``to suffer.'' And to follow 
one's passion requires the acceptance of suffering as well as the joy 
of living life with fullness and with purpose.
  The space family is large and extended. Although Kennedy Space Center 
employees, many of my constituents, remain here on Earth, each mission 
carries their hopes and dreams into space. They are bonded to the 
astronauts as comrades. My family belongs to that space family. My 
wife, Ellen, has been an engineer at Kennedy Space Center for 18 years. 
Tommy, my 10-year-old, who is in fifth grade, attended space camp this 
summer. Hanging on Tommy's wall at home, next to a poster of Michael 
Jordan, is another Michael, Michael Anderson, the payload commander on 
Columbia, who autographed a picture for Tommy, which is inscribed, 
``Tommy, always do your best.''
  Michael Anderson and the other courageous astronauts and the entire 
NASA team always do their best. At an all-hands meeting of the KSC team 
last Saturday, actually this Monday, KSC Director Roy Bridges affirmed: 
``You are the best team on the planet.'' So this large and talented 
team shares many triumphs.
  Still, every generation of this Cape Canaveral family unexpectedly 
bears witness to manned space flight's inherit dangers. In 1967, the 
Apollo 1 crew was lost on Pad 34 in an accident known simply as ``The 
Fire.'' In 1986, the Challenger rose majestically from Pad 39B only to 
break up over the Atlantic on a beautiful winter day. On February 1, 
2003, the landing crew waited at the Shuttle Landing Strip for voyagers 
who never returned home.
  On each occasion, the people of NASA grieved terribly. They asked 
tough questions, and they learned from adversity. But then they 
rededicate themselves to their mission and ultimately achieve their 
striving. America landed on the Moon after ``The Fire.'' The shuttle 
returned to pursue scientific discovery and construct the International 
Space Station. And we will continue that legacy by returning men and 
women to space, completing the International Space Station and turning 
our dreams of new exploration towards the planet Mars and others.
  Exploration, journey, and bravery define the American people and 
their history. Each of us comes from a heritage where someone with 
great courage took a passage to new beginnings, many times with 
difficult endings. But the living stubbornly persevered, pushed back 
vast frontiers, and built a great and glorious Nation. Adversity, 
including Saturday's loss, can never extinguish America's spirit.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, as Ronald Reagan said in the aftermath of the 
Challenger disaster, ``The future belongs not the to fainthearted but 
to the brave. That defines us as a Nation.''

[[Page 2389]]


  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Hinojosa), who is now the ranking member of the select 
Committee on Education and the Workforce.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
expressing my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the 
seven Columbia astronauts who tragically lost their lives Saturday over 
the skies of Texas. This tragedy is a reminder of the risk involved in 
exploring the frontiers of space and furthering human knowledge.
  Every child, at one time or another, has dreamed of becoming an 
astronaut to explore distant planets and stars. Unfortunately, many 
children lose their dream as they grow up. These seven extraordinary 
people never lost that dream. They dedicated their lives to studies and 
training to develop the technical skills they needed to become an 
astronaut.
  I attended the memorial service yesterday in Houston, wanting to 
provide the astronauts' family members some comfort. They are all at 
different levels of grieving. Everyone spoke of the joy and pride the 
Columbia crew felt in being astronauts and their commitment to sharing 
their love of space exploration with the next generations. I admire 
them tremendously.
  I know firsthand how inspiring astronauts can be to children. This 
past fall I hosted the Hispanic Engineering and Science Technology Week 
in my congressional district. Over 17,000 students and teachers filled 
the baseball stadium of the University of Texas Pan-American. They 
listened to speeches about the importance of becoming proficient in 
science, math and technology in order to expand their career 
opportunities. But the highlight of the day was when former astronaut 
Alan Bean rose to speak. The students were transfixed as they listened 
to him talk about the wonders of space and its potential for mankind's 
future. The awed and excited expression on those faces as he fired 
their imaginations is something I will never forget. This is a legacy 
we must preserve.
  I urge my colleagues to continue their support for NASA and the dream 
for which these seven heroes gave their lives.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Bell), who represents a great many employees of the Johnson 
Space Center.
  Mr. BELL. Mr. Speaker, when President Kennedy challenged America to 
dream space travel was possible, he came to Houston, Texas, where I 
live. On an autumn day in 1962, he laid out the following challenge: 
``We choose to go to the Moon. Not because it is easy, but because it 
is hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best 
of our energies and skills; because that challenge is one that we are 
willing to accept; one we are unwilling to postpone.''
  That challenge, delivered to America 40 years ago, has come to define 
the mission for the brave men and women of NASA, and it has also come 
to define the spirit of Houston. The seven astronauts of Shuttle 
Columbia STS-107 embodied that spirit. And in losing them, we have lost 
part of ourselves.
  The final crew of the Shuttle Columbia were all men and women of 
courage. They lived and died as heroes. But for many in the Houston 
area, the seven members of the Columbia crew were more than fallen 
heroes. They were our neighbors; and they were our friends, friends 
that you might see at the grocery store or church or at a parent-
teacher conference.
  Monday night I had the opportunity to visit with Ilan Ramon's 
grieving father at Beth Yeshuron Synagogue. Ilan had made his home in 
Houston for the past 4 years. People knew him to be kind and 
extraordinarily down to Earth. I told Ilan's father what he already 
knew, that his son was a hero. He thanked me and then said something 
that none of us should ever forget. He told me that the space program 
must continue.
  As a tribute to the lives of the fallen crew and those that have gone 
before them, as an acknowledgment that we can never simply go back to 
the way it was before John Glenn, Alan Shephard, or the Moon landing, 
we must continue to answer the call of the Space Shuttle Columbia. For 
those who grieve today, but will hope again tomorrow, we must continue 
the space program.
  As we begin anew, let us remember the words of President Kennedy on 
that fateful day in Houston: ``As we set sail we ask God's blessing on 
the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man 
has ever embarked.''
  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, with sadness, I want to join my colleagues in 
memorializing the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia. All of us on the 
floor today are trying to do the same thing: we are trying to fill a 
palpable absence with tangible words. It is quite literally an 
impossible task and all the more heartrending because we witnessed the 
moments when the shuttle vanished into thin air.
  I can only begin to imagine the pain felt by the crew's colleagues 
and friends and family and those who knew these men and women not just 
as the brave heroes that we have come, perhaps too late, to fully 
appreciate, but also as individuals, each with his or her unique 
personality, accomplishments, and responsibilities. They, much more 
than us, must live with the absences created by Saturday's tragedy.
  But it is not just absence we are acknowledging in our remarks. It is 
also a presence. The names and faces and stories of the Columbia crew 
are now engraved in our hearts and minds, not just because they died, 
but because they lived. They were brave, dedicated, and talented; and 
they set an example for us all. They are as much an inspiration in 
death as in life, and they join a long line of explorers who have 
sacrificed their lives charting the future for all of us. We are in 
their debt.
  Yesterday, at the memorial service in Houston, I was taken with the 
quiet dignity so evident on the part of so many. We, in an hour of pain 
and sorrow, took our lead from the families. They must know that the 
Nation, indeed the world, is grieving with them. And as I sat there 
thinking about lifetimes of achievement snuffed out in a moment of 
tragedy, I did what so many of us have done. All of us associated with 
the investigation are determined to find out what went wrong and to fix 
it. And then we must move on with exploration, with the search for new 
frontiers. That will be the enduring legacy for the Columbia Seven.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm).
  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution 
today.
  It is a sad honor to come to the House Floor today to speak about the 
lives of seven heroes who put a face and personality to the United 
States space program. And what a face it is--one of strength, optimism, 
discipline, adventure, humor, compassion--in other words, much of what 
we strive for as the best of the American Spirit.
  These brave Americans gave their lives for the good of our Country 
and we will never be able to repay them or their families for the 
sacrifice they made. They were our brightest and best and their passion 
for advancing and improving our Nation has inspired us all.
  Once again, we Americans find ourselves responding to national 
tragedy with a mixture of strong emotions. We feel great sadness as we 
mourn this loss of human life and noble endeavor. We know that no 
matter how great our own sadness might be, it cannot compare to the 
great weight of grief the astronauts' families and coworkers bear. Our 
hearts have broken as we have watched the spouses and children deal 
with their private grief in such a public way. In response, we simply 
hope that the families can sense the warm embrace of our thoughts and 
prayers.
  But we also feel a great sense of admiration, respect and gratitude. 
How many of us have stood under a canopy of stars, looked to the 
heavens and wondered ``What is up there?'' We have admired our space 
explorers as heroes since before the first launch of the Mercury 
program. Perhaps some of us have even dreamed of becoming a part of 
this intrepid cadre of astronauts. The Columbia crew belonged to that 
special family of explorers who dare to risk themselves in the name of 
exploration, discovery and knowledge which will benefit all of 
humankind. Over the past

[[Page 2390]]

five days, as we have learned more about that crew of seven 
individuals, we also have learned about the heart and soul of the space 
program and also about ourselves.
  Just as the planet Earth is home to a diverse people, the Columbia 
carried a crew of numerous nationalities and ethnicities. They learned, 
as we all must, that it is our diversity, our different skills and 
traits, which become our strength when focused towards a common goal.
  When we humans find ourselves grappling with so many strong emotions, 
we turn to the Divine Comforter to help us cope and understand; that is 
precisely what our Country has done this week. Even these astronauts 
who traveled to the stars understood that they were not the master of 
those stars. The held a deep and abiding faith in the One who created 
all which they longed to explore. And now, we must content ourselves in 
believing that each of these brave men and women is home with that 
Creator, discovering still more wonders beyond our wildest dreams.
  On behalf of the residents of the 17th Congressional District of 
Texas who I am privileged to represent in the House of Representatives, 
I extend both sympathy to the families who have lost so much and 
gratitude for their indomitable spirit. You will never be forgotten.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Scott).
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to join my colleagues as 
we express profound sympathy and condolences to the families, friends, 
and associates of the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia and to pay 
tribute to the seven heroic men and women who gave their lives in 
service of their countries and all mankind. I also join my fellow 
Virginians in a special mourning of the loss of our native son, David 
Brown, mission specialist of the Columbia.
  Mr. Speaker, the labors and sacrifices of the Columbia crew will not 
be in vain. The information from over 80 scientific research 
experiments will unlock discoveries which will reshape the world to the 
benefit of all of humanity. And so I believe the most profound tribute 
that we can pay to the seven Columbia heroes is to continue the work 
that they dedicated their professions and ultimately their lives to 
further. I am proud, Mr. Speaker, that much of that work will take 
place at NASA Langley in Hampton, Virginia.
  Mr. Speaker, the names Apollo 1, Challenger, and now Columbia will be 
revered throughout time for the supreme contributions and sacrifices of 
their crews. So I say to the families of those who were lost: weep not. 
The dreams of the great men and women who dared to explore the outer 
boundaries of humanity will not be forgotten.
  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Burns); and before he begins, I ask unanimous consent that 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) be allowed to control 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Miller of Florida). Without objection, 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) will control the 
remainder of the time of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert).
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, Helen Keller once reminded us that ``no 
pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an 
uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.''
  The seven crew members aboard Columbia were optimists, one and all, 
who saw the uncharted lands of space as an opportunity, not an 
obstacle. They were willing to open new doorways for humanity at the 
cost of their own lives.

                              {time}  1600

  Mr. Speaker, they left a Nation at war on a mission of peaceful 
exploration of space. While fate did not return them to us, the memory 
of their courage, their determination and their optimism for a brighter 
future will stay with us forever. I support this resolution as one 
small way of carrying on their memory.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Ms. Bordallo).
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues and our 
Nation in expressing our profound sorrow on the occasion of the 
Columbia Space Shuttle tragedy. The people of Guam join their fellow 
Americans today in mourning for the Columbia crew.
  Guam has a unique tie to one of the crew members, Lt. Commander 
William McCool, the pilot on the Space Shuttle Columbia. Lt. Commander 
McCool lived on Guam and attended Dededo Middle School and John F. 
Kennedy High School. He later married Lani Vallejos of Dededo, Guam, 
whom he met on the island. We are so proud to have had a member of our 
island community in the space program. America indeed lost a hero, and 
Guam lost a son.
  Commander McCool was very proud of his ties to our island. He carried 
the Guam flag on this tragic mission, and I show Members a picture as 
he stands before the shuttle with our flag.
  Willie McCool was a dedicated husband and father. He leaves behind 
his wife, Lani, and their three sons, Sean, Christopher and Cameron. 
Lani's parents, Atilana and Albert Vallejos, from Dededo, Guam, proudly 
attended the launch 16 days prior to the tragedy.
  Commander McCool is fondly remembered by those whose lives he touched 
as a student while on Guam. He was an exceptional student and a very 
talented athlete. While at Dededo Middle School, young Willie McCool 
wrote a poem that was published on the front page of his school 
newspaper that revealed his love of Guam and his early ambition to be 
an astronaut. He was probably about 12 years old, and this is the poem:
  ``I came to an island in the middle of the sea. It was so nice that I 
jumped for glee. There are palm trees, coconuts and bananas, too. Plus 
birds and fish, so unbelievable but true. It was so nice that no one 
can complain. But he who does must be insane. This is such a nice and 
beautiful place, you'd think it was heaven--or outer space.''
  Willie pursued his dream with vigor and passion. He lived his dream, 
and we on Guam are amazed that someone we knew from our island 
community was the pilot of a space shuttle.
  Teachers on Guam point to his remarkable life to inspire school 
children to dare to dream big things, to believe in themselves, and to 
reach for the stars. Although we are saddened by this tragedy, we take 
solace in knowing that Willie McCool will be forever remembered by our 
Nation and by the people of Guam as an inspiration to our children and 
as a hero for all.
  ``Pues adios, Willie, in guiya hao.'' In our Chamorro language, that 
means, good-bye, Willie, we love you.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 11 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, today we mourn the life of seven heroes, the crew of the 
Space Shuttle Columbia: Rick Husband, William McCool, David Brown, 
Kalpana Chawla, Michael Anderson, Laurel Clark, and Ilan Ramon.
  These heroes are now departed from us, and they find their place in 
the memory and the hearts of all Americans who are grateful to them and 
grateful to the others who have given their lives to make sure that our 
country and all humankind advances into this next frontier and conquers 
the next frontier of space. There are casualties in the conquest of 
every frontier, and this is no exception.
  Just as our heroes of the past frontiers are remembered and honored 
by this country, we will, once the space frontier is conquered, look 
back on these pioneers, and we will remember them on the honor roll of 
heroes.
  The Columbia reminds me a bit of another vessel, another American 
vessel from 200 years ago, the good ship Columbia. Americans were 
always known as the leaders in transportation, whether it was railroad 
transportation or, before that, ship transportation; and we had some of 
the mightiest and most impressive ships on the oceans and one of those 
ships was the good ship Columbia.
  Americans were so proud of the good ship Columbia that one of our 
first patriotic songs dealt with our pride in that ship, and that song 
went as follows, and every American knew these

[[Page 2391]]

 words and sang this song 150 years ago: ``O, Columbia, the gem of the 
ocean, the home of the brave and the free, the shrine of each patriot's 
devotion, a world offers homage to thee.''
  And, yes, today our thoughts go to the crew of the Columbia, another 
magnificent vessel that charted unknown waters, carried Americans and, 
yes, carried the admiration of the entire world.
  I think one of the things that I have gleaned from this tragedy is 
just how much the American people associated themselves and identified 
with America's space program. Yesterday, as we went to Texas, it was 
not so much the ceremony that I remember as it was the people of Texas 
and how they took this tragedy personally. As we rode in our 
congressional buses to and fro to that ceremony of remembrance and 
dedication at which the President spoke, the people of Texas lined the 
roads and the streets. Little children were waving American flags. 
People would rush out of their houses as we drove by with their flags 
and little signs of support and encouragement.
  I believe that if there is anything we can be grateful for when 
Columbia went down, it went down over friendly territory. It went down 
over Texas, where the people of that State feel so strongly about the 
space program and about their country.
  I am proud to say that my constituents and others in California have 
had a long association with the space program as well, and we are just 
as proud of the achievements. But, yesterday, it touched my heart that 
the people of Texas were reaching out to us and to the families.
  The Columbia tragedy has not diminished the commitment of the people 
of Texas nor the commitment of the people of the United States towards 
space exploration and space utilization. Our space program must and 
will go forward because the American people remain as committed today 
as they were last week, and today we have seven heroes to give us 
inspiration.
  The American people over the last few years have been lulled into a 
false sense of security about space travel. We always considered the 
astronauts our heroes. Children would come out to see astronauts, but 
most Americans felt that manned flight into space was far less risky 
than it really is. They have been lulled into this false sense of 
security because NASA has been doing one terrific job and our 
astronauts have been doing one terrific job and our aerospace industry 
has been doing one terrific job. But it is still the riskiest of 
propositions.
  I was in the White House in 1986 when the Challenger blew up, and I 
will never forget that day. We did what? We regrouped, we found what 
was wrong, we found the flaws, and we moved forward after correcting 
those flaws. Since then, once again, the American people came to 
believe space travel was routine. Well, pioneering a new frontier is 
never routine. The Space Shuttle Columbia's crew understood that. They 
knew the risks that they were taking.
  Today we mourn; this week we mourn; but in the future we move on and 
up. Although we hope that the shuttle will fly again, this country is 
now committed to a space program, yes, that will remember the shuttle 
system and be grateful for how efficient and what a magnificent system 
it was, but we now know we must invest in the technology that will move 
us beyond our dependency on this now old system that should not be 
allowed to become even older and us rely on it even longer. But does 
that mean we will in some way diminish our commitment to space? I do 
not think so.
  When we look back over the years of what the space program has meant 
to our lives, the benefits are beyond imagination.
  I remember as a young boy that I was able to talk to my grandparents 
perhaps once a month. I did not come from a wealthy family. Those 
telephone calls were scratchy, and they were expensive. Young people 
did not have the same contact then as they do with their grandparents 
today. I think it was $5 a minute back in those days when $5 was 
enormous. Today, thanks to our investment in space, thanks to the space 
program, people can talk to their families who are in the far reaches 
of the world every day, and it is affordable, and it has increased the 
quality of life in our country dramatically in this level of caring 
between people because space has permitted us better communication 
between each other.
  What about entertainment and television? We have now before us a 
plethora of options in which to take up our time because we have assets 
in space that are offering us communication skills that are not only 
used for entertainment but are used in the medical field to educate 
people in far-off countries how to conduct operations and also provide 
communications with schools throughout the world.
  The GPS system is a navigational system, and it would be unthinkable 
for us to not use our space-based assets for navigation purposes, 
something that has saved countless lives in giving us precise 
navigation that has saved hundreds, if not thousands, of those seeking 
transportation.
  And what about the weather and the fact that today we know when 
storms are coming? Again, thousands of lives have been saved because of 
our investment in space assets. We can predict where a hurricane will 
go or a tornado will strike, and we can prepare for it and save those 
lives, not to mention the billions of dollars saved by predicting 
weather trends in the industry of agriculture.
  Mr. Speaker, what about our national security? It was our lead in 
space, indeed the space shuttle itself created the impression for the 
communists who led the Soviet Union that they could not compete with us 
and broke down their will and eventually caused a disintegration of 
their power base in Russia, which has left the world a much safer 
place.

                              {time}  1615

  We have invested also in a defense system in space, a missile defense 
system that even today will permit us not to be so terrorized by a 
possibility of a government in North Korea that is developing nuclear 
weapons because we have assets in space that will permit us perhaps to 
defend ourselves against that potential threat. So we have invested in 
space, and also it has saved us billions and billions of dollars and 
thousands and thousands of lives. It was the space pioneers like those 
on the Challenger and on the shuttle that have already given us these 
tremendous benefits, but we have only scratched the surface of what 
space can do to uplift the condition of humankind.
  No, we will not be deterred by this tragedy. We will instead correct 
the flaws where they have been found and move on. We will move on and 
we will move upward. Will we continue? Will we Americans continue to 
move forward? Will there be another ``Good Ship Columbia'' someday 
charting the unknown waters or the unknown skies? You bet there will 
be. We remember and we will be grateful in those days to the crew of 
this ship Columbia as we were to the pioneers of generations past.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Frost) in whose district the shuttle began to fall. I also 
ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green) control 
the balance of the time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Miller of Florida). Is there objection 
to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FROST. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in expressing this body's deep 
grief over the loss of Columbia and her brave crew. I was privileged to 
attend the memorial for our seven astronauts in Houston yesterday. The 
deeply moving words in honor of the Columbia revealed how profoundly 
this tragedy has affected people in Texas and across our country.
  Today in my district in north Texas, one of those astronauts, Dr. 
Kalpana Chawla, is being remembered at her alma mater, the University 
of Texas at

[[Page 2392]]

Arlington. K.C., as she was known by her friends at UTA, was a true 
pioneer and a role model for young people on two continents. K.C. was 
the first Indian American to travel into space and her achievements 
brought great pride to people in her home country of India and her 
adopted home in north Texas.
  While aboard the Columbia, K.C. sent an e-mail to students in her 
hometown, Karnal, India. She wrote: ``The path from dreams to success 
does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get onto 
it and the perseverance to follow it. Wishing you a great journey.''
  There can be no doubt that K.C. and the other astronauts aboard the 
Columbia had the vision and the perseverance to follow their dreams. 
Those dreams led them into space on a mission of discovery that made 
them heroes. As we reflect upon the lives of Dr. Chawla and her fellow 
crew members, we have a shared responsibility to forge ahead with their 
mission. After the House passes this worthy resolution honoring our 
fallen heroes, it will be our duty as Members of Congress to commit our 
government to a full investigation of the causes of this tragedy, and, 
just as importantly, to recommit America to our mission exploring the 
frontiers of space.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Weldon), who has spent so much time and effort since he 
has been in Congress on issues of space and has diligently worked as a 
member of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics of the Committee on 
Science.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding 
me this time, and I thank him for his leadership on space policy 
issues.
  Today I join with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to honor 
the crew of Columbia. The names of these brave men and women will now 
forever be linked to the risks and rewards of exploring the final 
frontier. They were all extraordinary people.
  Commander Rick Husband was a man of strong faith who had dreamed of 
space travel since his childhood in Amarillo, Texas. He was a family 
man. He was committed to his community. He set the highest standards 
for us all.
  Pilot William McCool was a man who personified excellence in all that 
he did. He was from San Diego. Since an early age he had dreamed of 
flying and following his dream with an unending font of energy and 
skill. He was highly gifted, but evidently he rarely showed any hubris. 
In fact, he was described as always humble, something we all could 
learn from.
  Mission Specialist Michael Anderson was from Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania. He loved learning and science, and it was in following 
his passion for science that led him to NASA and to space flight. He 
knew his responsibilities as an astronaut and took every opportunity to 
talk to schoolchildren with excitement and enthusiasm about the value 
of space exploration.
  Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla lived a uniquely American life. 
Born and raised in India, she came to America as an immigrant. She 
worked hard and studied engineering and science. She became an American 
citizen and from there became an astronaut. She made both the nation of 
her birth, India, and her adopted country, America, proud of her and 
her accomplishments.
  Mission Specialist David Brown was truly a man for all seasons. He 
was a physician like myself, a Navy pilot, and a member of the 
astronaut corps. Everything he set out to do, he accomplished. He had 
many other goals he was anxious to accomplish after this mission had 
been completed.
  Mission Specialist Laurel Clark, a wife, a mother, a physician, also. 
She enjoyed scuba diving and flying airplanes. She was aware of that 
special honor that was hers to fly in space, and she was thankful for 
it. She was certainly somebody who lived life to the fullest.
  The man, of course, who was in many ways of most interest was Payload 
Specialist Ilan Ramon. He was the first Israeli in space, a national 
hero in his homeland, a dedicated husband and father, a brave pilot, 
the son and grandson of Holocaust survivors. He was an inspiration to 
his nation and to us all.
  Commander Husband, on the evening before they launched, shared with 
his crew and their families his favorite passage from the book of 
Joshua. I would like to share it with my colleagues today. It reads:
  ``Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to 
inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong 
and courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave 
you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be 
successful wherever you go. Do not let this book of the law depart from 
your mouth. Meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to 
do everything written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful. 
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be 
terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with 
you wherever you go.''
  As Commander Husband invoked those words of the Bible to encourage 
his crew to be strong and courageous, we today should take heed of 
those words. We live in a dangerous world with many challenges facing 
us. The measure of a truly great nation is one that can face its 
challenges and excel and lead the world to a higher level. That is why 
we have NASA and why we must recommit ourselves now more than ever to 
the dream and adventure of human space flight. The crew of Columbia 
would want nothing less. It was what they lived for. It was what they 
died for.
  How we decide to respond to this tragedy will be judged very closely 
by many generations that come after us. We are a nation of explorers. 
We cannot let future generations down and walk away from our destiny in 
space. The Columbia Seven crew would best be memorialized by a great, 
strong, robust commitment to space exploration.
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I first would like to thank my 
California colleague for those kind words for Texans. Texans, as you 
noticed yesterday, did take the loss of the Columbia to our heart.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Cardin).
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, in supporting this resolution, each of us 
expresses our deepest condolences to the families of our seven 
explorers, our seven astronauts, who lost their life this past 
Saturday. Each of us feels a connection to this tragedy.
  Mr. Speaker, I have the honor of representing Annapolis, where the 
Naval Academy is located. Commander McCool graduated from the Naval 
Academy. The Naval Academy family misses their comrade. This morning I 
was with a health care group talking about health care issues. The 
Columbia mission was life sciences trying to find the answers to dread 
diseases here in the United States. Each of us was affected by this 
tragedy.
  Six Americans, one Israeli lost their lives. America and Israel share 
in the loss of our heroes. In their honor, in their memory, we will 
continue our commitment to space and our commitment to understand what 
went wrong with the Columbia so that we can continue space travel for 
the benefit of future generations.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to yield 5 minutes to 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton) who has been deeply involved in 
technology issues during his long tenure here in Congress and a strong 
supporter of the space program.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when we are little boys or little 
girls, people ask us, ``What do you want to do when you grow up?''
  Most of us say we want to do something, whatever our parents are 
doing, our mother or our father, or we maybe want to be a policeman or 
a fireman or a baseball star or a football star.
  A lot of people say they want to be astronauts, because astronauts 
are heroes. When I was growing up in Texas, one of the things I thought 
about being was an astronaut. But there are so few that not many of us 
get to actually have that kind of a dream.
  This past Saturday, six American citizens and one Israeli citizen who 
were living that dream found that it

[[Page 2393]]

came to a crashing end when, upon reentry, Columbia Mission STS-107 
came apart. We are here today to first of all pay tribute to those 
brave seven astronauts who gave their lives pursuing their dream but in 
a larger sense pursuing humanity's dream, to find new knowledge, to 
reach out into space, to reach out into the future.
  I was one of the 40 or 50 Congressmen and Senators who went to 
Houston yesterday to participate in the memorial ceremony. The 
gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) was there, the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Green) was there, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) 
was there, some of the Members that are in the Chamber right now. When 
we got there, they took us up to the sixth floor of the administration 
building, and they put us in the briefing room that the administrator 
uses to be briefed on these missions.
  Around the upper walls, they had a patch of every shuttle mission 
with a brief summary, from STS-1. They had not put this one up yet 
because it was not complete. And then down on boards they had the 
profiles for the missions for this year. They had STS-107 and they had, 
launch, January 16, the number of people in the mission, the seven 
astronauts and the payload and the number of orbits and how high it was 
going to be above the Earth, 150 nautical miles, and what its degrees 
of entry was when it came back, 39 degrees. That mission will never be 
completed in the physical sense.

                              {time}  1630

  But it could be completed in the historical sense if we as a Congress 
and we as a country carefully think about how to honor their memory and 
how to continue the work that they gave their lives for. A 2 percent 
accident rate is unacceptable. Even though it is an experimental 
program, we can cannot have a 2 percent risk that every time we put a 
shuttle up lives will be lost. So one of the things we have to do is 
conduct this investigation, if at all possible find the cause of the 
accident and prevent it, but we also have to begin to look at a 
substitute for the existing shuttle fleet.
  I was on the committee in 1987 when we did the investigation, and we 
talked about going to new technology then, but we decided not to for 
two reasons, the cost and the fact that the existing shuttle fleet was 
still relatively young. That was 17 years ago. This time around I think 
we need, as a part of the investigation, to consider taking the next 
step, not using '50s and '60s and '70s technology. Let us use 2000 and 
2005 technology.
  We also need to reevaluate the mission of NASA. If our mission to 
have manned space activity is simply the space station, in my opinion 
that is not a sufficient mission. President Kennedy said in the early 
'60s, we will land an American on the moon by 1970. We did it in July 
of 1969. I would hope that we would take this opportunity to look at 
our mission. Perhaps we want to land a man on Mars by 2020. Perhaps we 
want to have a full-time colony on the moon by 2050. But we need to 
reevaluate the mission of NASA. We need to give our children and our 
grandchildren a vision for what America is all about, and in my opinion 
part of that vision is an aggressive space program with men and women 
in space carrying the American flag.
  God bless our seven astronauts and their families, and God bless 
America.
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Davis).
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my condolences 
and those of my constituents to the families of the astronauts of the 
Columbia. I am reminded that no greater gift can one give than his or 
her life to advance the cause of humanity.
  Michael Anderson and the other six courageous men and women aboard 
the Columbia knew the risks of space exploration, and yet they were 
willing to travel over 6 million miles to try to make the world a 
better place in which to live. Their 16-day science mission was an 
attempt to find answers to some of the questions we have about space 
and its possibilities.
  They were gifted people, well-trained, courageous, ordinary people, 
daring to do extraordinary things. They were mothers, fathers, 
brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. They were inextricably bound by 
their zest and zeal to explore the stars and heavens in an attempt to 
move humankind forward. The candle of passion by which they lived must 
never go dim. It is the collective challenge of a grateful Nation to 
ensure that their lives and sacrifices were not in vain.
  Today I, along with more than 100 of my colleagues, sent a letter to 
the Postmaster General, urging him to design a stamp that will 
memorialize the memory of the Columbia seven and fan the flame for our 
space program. This symbolic gesture is a small way of a grateful 
Nation saying thank you.
  We will never forget the Columbia seven because they represented the 
best and the brightest of the world. To the families we say thank you 
for sharing your loved ones with us and may God continue to comfort you 
with love and memories of their lives and of their contributions.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), my neighbor.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green), and I also thank the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Lampson) and offer to his constituents my sincerest 
sympathy. We are neighbors in Texas, and we are friends. My District 
borders up against the Ninth Congressional District, and we have the 
opportunity as well to share our concern about NASA on the Subcommittee 
on Space and Aeronautics.
  To the chairman, I thank him very much for his leadership and the 
comfort he gave us as he attended the memorial service yesterday, and I 
thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the leader of the House, 
and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the minority leader, 
for giving us this opportunity to pay tribute and as well giving a 
tribute to these fine and wonderful heroes.
  If I might, I think it is important to individually call their names 
on the floor of the House. So I call them with humbleness and honor. 
Rick Husband, commander; Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist; Laurel 
Clark, mission specialist; Ilan Ramon, payload specialist; William 
McCool, pilot; David Brown, mission specialist; and Michael Anderson, 
payload commander.
  Each and every one of them, heroes and patriots, the seven astronauts 
whose lives were lost aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia were truly 
extraordinary people. To the world, these astronauts were valiant 
heroes. To those of us in Houston, they were also friends and 
neighbors. They were integral members of the community, and they paid 
the ultimate price to further a mission that benefitted all of 
humanity. To their families and friends and also to their neighbors and 
the community, they represented a very special group of people. To this 
Nation, they were extremely special.
  And certainly we want to acknowledge the fact that this was an 
extremely diverse group of individuals. The courageous astronauts 
aboard the Columbia were individuals of the highest caliber, always 
striving for excellence, exemplifying the most noble of traits. They 
were skilled professionals, scientists, clinicians, adventurers, family 
men and women. The crew represented the diversity of our Nation. The 
crew even included a friend from Israel and a native daughter of India, 
the embodiment of the international goals of peace and cooperation. It 
is almost unbelievable that the Wright brothers set us on this pace and 
we have taken it further.
  I join my colleagues and say we may have gone to the Moon, but we 
must go to Mars and continue to explore the universe. It was President 
Kennedy who in 1962 in Houston, our hometown, said these words: ``This 
generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the coming age 
of space. We mean to be a part of it. We mean to lead it. For the eyes 
of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets

[[Page 2394]]

beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a 
hostile flag of conquest but by a banner of freedom and peace. We have 
vowed that we shall not see space filled with weapons of mass 
destruction but with instruments of knowledge and understanding.''
  It is extremely important to honor these very brave and wonderful 
souls, and that is why yesterday I joined and offered legislation to 
put forward a congressional gold medal for the seven patriots and seven 
heroes that have fallen, along with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Lampson). It is in this way I hope that we will remember them, and we 
will always pay tribute to these wonderful and outstanding heroes of 
our world.
  Mr. Speaker, the seven astronauts whose lives were lost aboard the 
space shuttle Columbia were truly extraordinary people. To the world 
those astronauts were valiant heroes; to those of us in Houston, they 
were also friends, neighbors, and family. They were integral members of 
the community, and they paid the ultimate price to further a mission 
that benefited all of humanity. To their families and friends, and also 
to the Israeli and Indian communities who lost a native son and 
daughter, I send my most heart-felt sympathies and condolences.
  The courageous astronauts aboard the Columbia were individuals of the 
highest caliber, always striving for excellence, and exemplifying the 
most noble of human traits. They were skilled professionals, 
scientists, clinicians, adventurers, and family men and women. The crew 
represented the diversity of our Nation. The crew even included a 
friend from Israel, and a native daughter of India the embodiment of 
the international goals of peace and cooperation.
  It is almost unbelievable that less than one century after the Wright 
Brothers made that first 12-second flight over the sandy dunes of North 
Carolina, that our astronauts would be making excursions into space 
seem almost routine. But these excursions are anything but routine. 
Every moment from liftoff to touchdown, is a spectacular achievement of 
human intellect and determination.
  The Columbia crew took great risks and made the ultimate sacrifice to 
further the mission of NASA. Why take such a risk? I believe President 
Kennedy said it well in 1962 in my hometown of Houston, when declaring 
his commitment to putting a man on the Moon by the end of that decade. 
He said,
  ``This generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the 
coming age of space. We mean to be a part of it--we mean to lead it. 
For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the Moon and to the 
planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by 
a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace. We 
have vowed that we shall not see space filled with weapons of mass 
destruction, but with instruments of knowledge and understanding.''
  I believe that President Kennedy would have been proud to see the 
fantastic progress of the program that he so inspired that day. Today, 
NASA provides insights into the origins, destiny, and wonder of the 
universe and is a source of dreams for young and old alike. It has 
pushed the envelope of human existence, and given us glimpses of the 
far reaches of the galaxy that truly take our breaths away.
  The seven courageous explorers aboard the Columbia paid the ultimate 
price to improve our understanding of the universe, to advance our 
medical and engineering sciences, and to make the nation safer and more 
secure. Before the Columbia started its tragic descent, the shuttle 
crew completed some 80 scientific experiments. Much of their research 
data had already been relayed to Houston where it has added to the pool 
of scientific knowledge.
  Beyond the technological benefits of space exploration, those 
courageous pioneers also inspired the youth of America in a way that 
only manned space missions can. The majesty and adventure of seeing 
people traversing the heavens sparks the natural curiosity and 
imagination of young people. It nudges some toward science and math and 
pushes all to strive for excellence. Seeing a team, like that on the 
Columbia, working and playing together inspires young engineers, 
scientists, and all sorts of people who want to be part of something 
truly great and noble. That inspiration may well be the Columbia's 
crew's most enduring impact on humanity.
  The ultimate tribute to the fallen crew of the Columbia will be in 
ensuring that their vital mission goes on, with our full support. There 
will always be risks to that quest, but those risks will diminish over 
time, as the fruits of our labor in space continue to grow.
  John F. Kennedy's words, stated when our space program was still in 
its infancy, still ring true today:
  ``Well, space is there, and we're going to climb it, and the moon and 
the planets are there, and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there. 
And, therefore, as we set sail we ask God's blessing on the most 
hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever 
embarked.''
  The Columbia crew lost their lives on that greatest adventure. We 
will miss them.

               A Statement From the Astronauts' Families

       On January 16th we saw our loved ones launch into a 
     brillant, cloud-free sky. Their hearts were full of 
     enthusiasm, pride in country, faith in their God and a 
     willingness to accept risk in the pursuit of knowledge--
     knowledge that they might improve the quality of life for all 
     mankind * * * .
       Although we grieve deeply, as do the families of Appollo I 
     and Challenger before us, the bold exploration of space must 
     go on. Once the root cause of this tragedy is found and 
     corrected, the legacy of Columbia must carry on for the 
     benefit of our children and yours.

  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, from the pioneering Mercury 
missions, to the Apollo voyages to the moon, to the construction of the 
revolutionary International Space Station, America's astronauts have 
boldly gone where no man has gone before. Our scientific understanding, 
quality of life, and ability to imagine a better future have been 
greatly increased by the brave men and women who volunteer and are 
selected for these difficult missions.
  In my hometown of Houston, Space City, Texas, NASA's astronauts and 
employees are part of the family. They are our neighbors and friends, 
they help us educate and motivate our schoolchildren, they attend our 
churches with us, and they serve as role models in our community.
  Since 1997, I have had the privilege of having NASA astronauts visit 
middle schools in my congressional district. These visits are meant to 
encourage students to take math and science classes and to consider our 
space program as a career opportunity. I have been fortunate to get to 
know Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman astronaut, Dr. Franklin 
Chang-Diaz, the most traveled astronaut in NASA history and Dr. Danny 
Olivas, one of the newest astronauts. I believe that all students need 
to have access to roll models like Dr. Ochoa, Dr. Chang-Diaz, and Dr. 
Olivas.
  Individuals who proudly brave the dangerous conditions of spaceflight 
in pursuit of technology and scientific research to improve life on 
earth deserve our highest respect. Along with our other heroes of space 
exploration Rick Husband, William McCool, Michael Anderson, Kalpana 
Chawla, David Brown, Laurel Clark, and Ilan Ramon will not be forgotten 
for making the ultimate sacrifice.
  NASA and Congress will have to do the hard work and ask the hard 
questions to determine what went wrong and why from both on the shuttle 
itself, and within NASA's management and operations. Then we must take 
the required action and devote the required resources to improving the 
safety of our astronauts.
  Improving safety may or may not require more money, but the NASA 
budget is extremely small within the federal budget. If safety funding 
needs to be bumped up, so be it, but it should not come at the expense 
of the other valuable activities at NASA.
  I wish to express my deep respect for those brave men and women we 
lost this Saturday and to extend my heartfelt sympathy to their family, 
friends, and fellow astronauts. They have touched many in Houston, 
Texas, our Nation, and the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Hall) control the balance of the time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Miller of Florida). Is there objection 
to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from California (Mrs. Capps).
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me this 
time; and I rise grateful for this opportunity today to speak on behalf 
of my own constituents, to give voice to their tears and their tributes 
to the seven astronauts we have lost.
  While this is a blow to the entire Nation, I am especially mindful of 
the unspeakable loss suffered by those who

[[Page 2395]]

know them best, especially the 12 children who lost their beloved 
mothers and fathers. The seven Columbia crew members had embarked on a 
journey of science and discovery so that we all might benefit from 
their experience. These men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice 
for our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, the U.S. space program has long flourished on California 
central coast, my home. Our region is home to Vandenberg Air Force Base 
and countless businesses and research centers that have benefited from 
and infused vitality into NASA's programs. In the name of the seven and 
in their memory who have given their lives for this pursuit, I pledge 
to do whatever I can to help our space program recover from this 
terrible setback so that these important endeavors can continue.
  Mr. Speaker, the Book of Isaiah teaches us that the righteous ``shall 
mount up with wings as eagles.'' Our fallen heroes flew like eagles. 
They came very close to heaven before coming very close to home. May 
they forever rest in peace.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I am here, of course, to add my strong support for the resolution 
that is before us here today. I was at the Johnson Space Center 
yesterday in Houston for the memorial service, and I listened as the 
President offered a tribute to the crew of the space shuttle Columbia. 
I think he did a wonderful job of expressing the sentiments of all 
Americans, and it gave me a good feeling to be there. I felt good to be 
a part of the condolences to the families that were in attendance.
  Today I am really pleased that the House of Representatives is 
pausing to recognize our debt as a Nation to the brave men and women 
who perished in the space shuttle. It is also fitting that this body 
offer our collective condolences to the families, which we did, and to 
the friends; and the President did a very good job of that. The 
astronaut in charge of the astronauts had something personal to say 
about each one of them. It was very fitting, and I know that I speak 
for all Members when I say that our thoughts and our prayers are with 
the families of these great American heroes. Their loss is a great loss 
to them. It is a personal loss to them as it is a great and tragic loss 
to our country.
  We all watched with horror the tragic events of last Saturday 
unfolding. There will be time I think in the coming days to turn our 
attention to examining the evidence of the circumstances that led to 
this tragedy as well as the implications for America's space program. 
We have to do that. We have to look ahead. We have to go forward. That 
is necessary and important work, and the Congress will have to do it.
  Today, however, I think should be a day for us to celebrate the lives 
of these heroes and to mourn their deaths. In that regard we must never 
forget that the shuttle astronauts were doing the important work of our 
space program. They were extending the frontiers of knowledge and 
working to benefit the lives of all of us through the important 
scientific research they were conducting on their flight.
  Our Nation's achievements in space have been so impressive. We have 
taken it for granted. Their excellence almost put us to sleep as to the 
dangers that awaited the crews that we sent. We forget that their work 
was filled with risk. They often made it look easy and made it routine, 
but space exploration is still a dangerous mission, astronauts or 
explorers who are willing to risk their lives to improve life back here 
on earth, and those are the Columbuses and the Magellans of space.
  Mr. Speaker, at a time of tragedy words are usually inadequate to 
express the depths of our sorrow. The crew members of the space shuttle 
Columbia were very special men and women. They set a shining example 
for all of us in the way we ought to live our lives. We solute them, 
and we mourn their passing.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Pence), a young and vibrant Member of the House who has 
been very active in the last few years on technology issues.
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this 
resolution expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives 
to the families of the crew members of the Columbia shuttle mission.

                              {time}  1645

  I have said on many occasions, Mr. Speaker, that the House of 
Representatives is the heart of our national government, and when the 
heart of America is grieving, it is all together fitting for us in this 
place on this blue carpet to grieve with our Nation.
  It was my privilege yesterday to travel with some 50 colleagues of 
this Chamber, Mr. Speaker, to the Lyndon Johnson Space Center in 
Houston, Texas. It was a glorious day of extraordinary sadness. Our 
President and leaders from NASA gathered in that Texas sunshine to 
commemorate seven extraordinary souls, the heroes of STS-107, the 
Columbia shuttle. As I sat in the sunshine, my mind wandered back to 
just 18 months ago when, at 3 in the morning, accompanied by my 
beautiful wife, Karen, and the previous administrator of NASA, Daniel 
Goldin, we went into the processing facility at the Kennedy Space 
Center where the shuttles are prepared for their missions, and we 
walked just a few feet underneath those now infamous tiles and we stood 
under the belly of the Columbia, a ship that as one writer suggested 
yesterday should have been retired to the hallways of the Smithsonian 
Institution, the very first of its generation of spacecraft, now lost 
to human memory forever, above us. I stood in every sense, Mr. Speaker, 
beneath the Columbia as NASA personnel prepared it for its final 
voyage. And yesterday, at the Johnson Space Center, I stood again 
beneath the weight of a national tragedy, to mourn and pray with the 
families most affected by her loss.
  It was my privilege on behalf of the people of eastern Indiana to 
join the President and leaders from the House and Senate for the 
Columbia memorial service. We came to pay respects to the brave and 
inspiring crew of STS-107. We came to represent a national sense of 
loss. We came also, though, Mr. Speaker, to affirm the ongoing mission 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to bring the Earth 
to the heavens and the heavens to the Earth.
  The Bible tells us that without a vision, the people perish. And on 
occasion, our national government has lost its vision and we argue over 
that vision, but NASA has never lost its vision since those storied 
days of the 1950s and 1960s, to lead, with America, and her ingenuity, 
to lead with freedom and democracy into the unknown realms of space. 
And as the President said yesterday, and many have said on this floor 
today, that mission must and will go on.
  The Psalms tell us that ``the heavens declare the glory of God, the 
skies declare the work of his hands.'' But truthfully, this past 
Saturday morning, the heavens and the skies declared man's glory as 
well, the courage and ingenuity of NASA written large on the skies of 
the American south.
  We will pray for these families who have suffered the loss. We will 
pray for their consolation, but we will also rededicate ourselves to 
the ongoing mission of America leading the world, as she ever has, with 
freedom and democracy into the vast expanse of space.
  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Lewis).
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Hall) for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to seven brave and 
courageous souls. The crew of the Columbia space shuttle were men and 
women of medicine and soldiers who chose science over war. They 
explored space to heal and not to kill. These astronauts were smart and 
tough.
  In their quest for the stars, they embodied the hopes, the dreams, 
and the aspirations of all humankind. These seven individuals were 
determined,

[[Page 2396]]

dedicated, and committed. In a real sense, they personified the best of 
humankind.
  To honor their memory, we must continue to look beyond our little 
planet we call Earth. We must continue to soar to the heavens.
  The Columbia crew was leading us into the future, and we will 
continue to follow them. They wished to serve, and they did. They 
served all humanity.
  Today, this day, we mourn with their families, the families in 
America and in Israel. God bless the families of the astronauts, and 
God bless our little planet Earth.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Nethercutt), who has been an active member of the 
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics and very involved over the years 
in technology development for the United States.
  Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from 
California for his kind introduction and for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to pay recognition today to 
particularly one of the members of the space shuttle who was lost last 
Saturday, February 1, knowing that America lost seven heroes, and one 
of those was from my hometown of Spokane, Washington.
  Michael Anderson, the Columbia space shuttle's payload commander, 
grew up watching planes at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane and 
graduated from nearby Cheney High School. Even as a young man, his 
dreams were far off in the stars. He once said that he could not 
remember a time when he did not want to be an astronaut.
  He followed his fine father into the Air Force and received his 
commission after graduating from the University of Washington in 1981. 
He was so proud of his service to his country and to wear his ROTC 
uniform around campus during a decade when that was not particularly 
popular, and his family and community have likewise been very proud of 
him.
  During his distinguished service as a pilot, he earned a master's 
degree in physics from Creighton University, and he kept his dreams in 
the stars.
  Finally, in 1998, he got to fly the mission he had been waiting for 
for nearly 20 years: his first flight into space was aboard the shuttle 
Endeavor.
  I had the great privilege of meeting Michael Anderson in 1999 when he 
accepted my invitation to speak to students at schools around our 
hometown about the space program. The children were wide-eyed as they 
listened to his stories, and they laughed particularly hard at his 
story about trying to catch M&Ms in his mouth without the effects of 
gravity in space.
  Michael had a warmth about him that moved those children, and his 
courage and service inspired those children to reach for their own 
dreams, be they in the stars or down here on Earth.
  Michael's accomplishments, his courage, and his discipline are 
representative of the crew he flew with and a source of pride for our 
community.
  His continued dedication to space and science tells us that after a 
full investigation we should continue to pursue human space flight. For 
Michael's sake and the sake of the other crew members, we must keep 
reaching for the stars, lest their sacrifice be in vain.
  As Americans, this tragedy should teach us all that we must not treat 
space missions as routine. All astronauts are accomplished individuals 
willing to put themselves in danger for the sake of bettering humankind 
and advancing mankind's dream of space exploration. They are 
courageous, they are committed; and we owe them all a debt of thanks 
for their service, not just in times of tragedy, but every day.
  At a time like this, it is natural to ask who is at fault and what 
happened. But I believe that this is not the time for fault-finding, 
for recrimination, and for blame. We must come together and support the 
families of these astronauts and unify to support the entire NASA 
family.
  As we move forward, I have vast confidence in Administrator Sean 
O'Keefe, Deputy Administrator Fred Gregory, and Associate Administrator 
Bill Readdy. The public face of the shuttle program over the last few 
days, Ron Dittemore, also a native of my hometown of Spokane, has also 
stepped up in a time of crisis and has performed admirably. Mr. 
Speaker, the entire NASA team deserves our thanks for pulling together 
and demonstrating firm resolve to get to the bottom of this incident.
  And as we consider what went wrong, we must also consider NASA's 
future. As a member of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, we 
know that this year we will pass a NASA authorization bill, a bill that 
even before this tragedy promised to be the most important measure 
since the start of the shuttle program.
  We will evaluate the future of the shuttle fleet. We will weigh 
upgrades to the orbiters against the substantial investment required to 
make the next-generation reusable launch vehicle a reality. We will 
examine the appropriate balance for scientific investigation and 
engineering achievement. We will prioritize between observations of our 
own planet and a better understanding of our solar system and our 
universe.
  But I am confident that at the end of the deliberations, we will 
conclude that human space flight must continue, because space continues 
to be the final frontier; and as long as we can look upward at night 
and be fascinated with the prospect of unknown worlds, human space 
flight will be part of our space program.
  I believe that Michael Anderson would not have us choose otherwise.
  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Menendez), the chairman of the Democratic Caucus; and 
pending that, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Bell) be permitted to control the balance of the time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Miller of Florida). Is there objection 
to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished ranking member 
for yielding me this time.
  As our country grieves for the tragic loss of the Columbia crew, we 
want their families to know that we are truly grateful for their sons 
and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers.
  America is not alone in mourning the loss of the Columbia heroes. We 
are joined by the entire global community. No country understands our 
loss more than Israel and India for whom that loss is particularly 
acute, having first rejoiced as two of their own realized the dream of 
participating in the American space program only to have this joy 
turned into sorrow.
  This great Nation was founded by those rare men and women who are 
willing to risk their lives in the name of exploration. The Columbia 
astronauts and their colleagues in the space program are our true 
explorers. So as our Nation mourns the loss of these seven heroes, we 
are united in our grief and sorrow and united in our determination to 
move forward in our exploration of space, and our experiments in space 
that will, undoubtedly, continue to improve our lives with new 
technologies and new medicines. The lives of these selfless pioneers 
were not lost in vain, and so we must reenergize our space program and 
make sure that Congress and the President fund NASA at levels that 
guarantee safety and progress.
  When America ventures into space, we send more than just a shuttle; 
it is more than just a mission. We send our hopes and our dreams. The 
men and women who served on Columbia represented those hopes and dreams 
for all of us; and their bravery, their courage, their imagination has 
not died, and will never die. It lives on.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite), a freshman from Tampa who 
specializes in seniors issues, but is very concerned and very 
supportive of America's space program.
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor

[[Page 2397]]

the seven Columbia astronauts the world lost this past weekend. They 
truly were the best and the brightest that the three countries, Israel, 
India, and the United States, the best and brightest that these three 
countries had to offer.
  I was at home in my district on Saturday preparing to speak to some 
Girl Scouts who were earning their badge for voting; and when we 
learned what happened, we decided not to tell the girls in the 
audience. This was their day, and it was up to their parents to give 
them the very sad news.

                              {time}  1700

  As I was standing there speaking to the Girl Scouts, the entire 
Columbia crew was on my mind. As I looked out, speaking to the girls 
and interacting with them, I realized that one of them could be a 
future astronaut. I could not help but think how many of them, like 
these seven astronauts, dreamed of space travel as a child.
  President Bush called the astronauts heroes. NASA administrators 
called them family members. Many children, including the ones I spoke 
to, as well as adults, called them role models.
  Most Americans did not know the astronauts personally until we lost 
them, but in their loss we as a Nation can recognize the immense 
dedication by thousands of individuals worldwide to our space program. 
We can recognize the awe in which the program is held by the rest of 
the world and the enormous risks and sacrifices that accompany space 
travel.
  As we grieve for the Columbia crew, it is important to remember that 
America is a Nation that has never shied away from new frontiers and 
exploration. We will continue to be a leader in space exploration, as 
the Columbia crew would have wanted. We will continue missions and 
experiments in space, as they, too, would have wanted. And, of course, 
we will continue to support a robust, cutting-edge space program that 
is the pride of this country and of the global community.
  We will continue to remember and honor the seven Columbia crew 
members who died serving their countries, broadening the world's 
knowledge about the vast unknown we call space and doing what they 
truly loved to do.
  Mr. BELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Moran).
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the life of a hometown hero, Dr. David Brown from Arlington, Virginia. 
His abundant passion for life and fearless pursuit of the farthest 
frontiers of space will serve as an inspiration for generations to 
come.
  A graduation of Yorktown High School in Arlington, David's 
educational path led him to the College of William and Mary, where he 
received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology. With an 
unquenchable thirst for knowledge and understanding of the world around 
him, David entered Eastern Virginia Medical School, earning his 
doctorate in 1982.
  David then heeded the call to service of his country by joining the 
Navy. For over a decade, David was a highly respected flight surgeon 
and became the first of his rank selected for pilot training. Driven by 
his childhood dream to fly, David graduated first in his flight class. 
Over the course of his exemplary medical military career, he piloted A-
60 Intruders, F-18 Hornets, and T-38 Talons.
  Not content to remain constricted beneath the blanket of Earth's 
atmosphere, David continued venturing where many have dreamed but few 
have ever gone. His acceptance of an invitation to join NASA in April 
of 1996 began a dramatic new chapter in David's life. Stationed at 
Johnson Space Center in Texas and at Patuxent Naval Air Station in St. 
Mary's County, Maryland, he trained for 7 years in anticipation of what 
would be the greatest and final thrill of his daring and accomplished 
life.
  On February 1, 2003, David Brown and the crew of the Space Shuttle 
Columbia were tragically lost during reentry. But these brave souls in 
no way died in vain. Their memory will not be forgotten as space travel 
continues to break new boundaries in the exploration of the heavens.
  Current astronauts and those of tomorrow are reminded of the risks 
they assume, but in that knowledge lies an ironclad certainty that this 
is a mission that must continue for the betterment of all mankind.
  Mr. BELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) control the balance of the time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind), who I know will want 
to pay tribute to a great citizen of his State.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, last Saturday our Nation lost seven American 
heroes. I rise today to offer condolences to the families and friends 
of the seven astronauts aboard the Columbia on its fateful mission, one 
of whom was Wisconsin' pride and joy, Laurel Clark, who was a graduate 
of Racine's William Horlick High School and a UW-Madison graduate.
  We share the sympathies of all Americans for their dedication and 
bravery and service to our Nation. This tragedy does remind us, 
however, that space travel is anything but routine. It really is rocket 
science. When we work on the cutting edge of science and technology, 
perfection is never guaranteed and chance is always a factor, no matter 
how much time, money, or expertise is invested. That is why we owe a 
debt of gratitude that can never be repaid to those brave men and women 
involved in our space program for the risks they take to explore our 
last remaining frontier.
  Last December, Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to visit Kennedy 
Space Center. I had a chance to meet with a lot of the scientists, 
engineers, and some of the astronauts on the shuttle missions. I walked 
away from that experience with a profound sense of appreciation, given 
the dedication and professionalism that our team, the NASA team, brings 
to their job every single day, and a greater appreciation of how 
terribly dangerous space travel still is yet today.
  Some may wonder why we need to go to space. I believe we do it 
because we have no other option. Since our ancestors first inhabited 
this planet, we have always had a need to explore and know our 
surroundings. Whether it is hiking the next plain, climbing the next 
mountain, sailing the next ocean, or conquering the skies, human nature 
demands that we explore the next frontier. Space is the ultimate 
frontier, and the shuttle missions NASA undertakes help expand our base 
of knowledge for the benefit of all humanity.
  As in past tragedies, we will learn from this one and we will go on. 
The NASA space program is the most advanced the world has ever seen, 
and our Nation's leadership in this area brings scientific benefits, 
opportunity, and hope to future generations.
  The mystery of space brings unknown possibilities, and the instinct 
to explore represents the best of human nature and the American spirit. 
The seven astronauts we lost on February 1 were explorers, and our 
thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sandlin), the chief deputy 
whip, and also a Member of Congress whose congressional district has 
seen, as well, an enormous impact by the tragedy of the Columbia seven.
  Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentlewoman 
from Texas, for yielding time to me.
  Mr. Speaker, this weekend our Nation was shaken with the news of a 
terrible tragedy. After a 16-day mission into space, just 16 minutes 
from home, seven brave astronauts unexpectedly changed their course and 
returned to the heavens. In what was hoped to be a joyful day of 
homecoming, it became a day filled with grief as these brave explorers 
lost their lives 40 miles above the piney woods of east Texas.
  Yesterday in Houston many of us said good-bye to the pioneers of our

[[Page 2398]]

time who manned the Space Shuttle Columbia's 28th mission. We expressed 
our condolences and sympathies to the families left at home, to NASA, 
to President Bush for the loss to our Nation, to Prime Minister Ariel 
Sharon of Israel and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of India. We 
all share a tremendous sense of loss.
  Earlier Saturday morning, thousands of pieces of the Space Shuttle 
Columbia rained down in a rain of sorrow in parts of Texas and 
Louisiana. Miles and miles of debris scattered over east Texas, and 
over 1,000 pieces of wreckage blanketed Nacogdoches County in my 
district. County officials, first responders, and volunteers in 
Nacogdoches and surrounding counties quickly pulled together and 
deployed to identify and secure the remains of the Columbia, the 
physical reminder of the crushing loss of human life. These great 
Americans in east Texas became first responders for the entire Nation. 
They have done an incredible job, working night and day to locate every 
piece of evidence that might provide a critical link in determining the 
cause of this terrible tragedy. The entire country is proud of their 
work and commitment.
  Additionally, the community at large has come together to pay its 
respects to these courageous explorers and the mission of the Columbia, 
respecting the hallowed ground they now share with these fallen 
soldiers of scientific discovery.
  The Columbia seven were equipped with high ambitions and their 
mission of scientific research. These explorers, our modern-day 
Christopher Columbuses and Lewis and Clarks, strove to break new ground 
to find answers to questions that have been impossible to find here on 
Earth. They devoted their mission to understanding prostate cancer, 
discovering new methods for refining gasoline, studying meteorological 
patterns, and experimenting with optical materials.
  These seven brave humans wanted to leave the Earth a better place, 
and they have. In their honor, we vow not to abandon the goal to which 
they have dedicated their lives.
  Throughout our history, we have risen to the call for progress in 
space exploration. Ever since Congress passed the National Aeronautics 
and Space Act in 1958 and subsequently President Kennedy called for man 
to walk on the moon, our Nation's eyes have been focused towards the 
stars. We will remain a nation of explorers and continue to push the 
limits of science and space discovery.
  Few experience the glory of slipping the bonds of Earth and touching 
the face of God. The Columbia seven touched the face of God and then 
slipped into His embrace. They are true American heroes, not because 
they died, but because they lived. We value the contribution they made.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), the distinguished chairman of the 
Committee on the Judiciary and former chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Space and Aeronautics and chairman of the full Committee on Science.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. I thank the gentleman from California for yielding 
time to me, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. Speaker, our Nation suffered a tragic loss on Saturday, when 
seven astronauts were killed in the shuttle Columbia's demise. We will 
long mourn that sad day and pray for the families of the astronauts. 
These men and women are true heroes who put their lives at risk for the 
betterment of mankind.
  Today, we come together as a legislative body to remember these brave 
astronauts and to express our condolences to their families and 
friends. My thoughts and prayers and those of my family are with the 
loved ones of the international crew of the Columbia.
  I can especially sympathize with the family of Dr. Laurel Clark, a 
Wisconsin native. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, a loving 
mother and wife, and a first-time space voyager, Dr. Laurel Clark will 
be sorely missed.
  In the coming weeks, as our shock and disbelief subside, many 
questions will emerge: How did this accident happen? Could it have been 
prevented? Should the space program continue in the face of tragedy?
  Clearly, America must work to find the answers. I commend the men and 
women of NASA for all that they have done in the aftermath of this 
tragedy. As we did 17 years ago after the Challenger accident, a 
thorough and timely investigation must be conducted to find any 
problems, fix them, and move on.
  However, America must not let these events derail the progress that 
the space program has made and will continue to make. Already, NASA's 
research has unveiled numerous secrets about our planet and the 
universe beyond. Abandoning the space program would mean giving up on 
valuable research that could lead us to the discovery of cures for 
deadly diseases or other major scientific breakthroughs.
  We must not abandon these goals and let these brave astronauts' 
deaths be in vain. Instead, we should keep their memories with us as we 
continue to explore the potential benefits that lie in space. After 
all, it was in pursuit of these noble goals that seven astronauts gave 
their lives last Saturday.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentlewoman from Indiana (Ms. Carson), a member of the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and a strong and 
committed supporter of NASA.
  Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank very much the 
distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) for yielding 
time to me, a person from whom I derive a great deal of wisdom and 
insight, particularly as it relates to the area of science and space. 
She represents her area very well in that regard.
  Mr. Speaker, the loss of the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia is a 
tragedy to their families and loved ones, as well as to the United 
States, Israel, India, and to the NASA family. Peoples around the world 
have expressed both support and condolences.
  I felt a great deal of pride when I traveled around Indianapolis with 
Colonel Wolf, former astronaut. The kids were so excited about him. I 
know that he and his family and his father, who is a doctor at one of 
the hospitals in my district, join in commemoration of this incredible 
crew.
  I speak on behalf of the people of the City of Indianapolis. The 
astronauts were people who lived and worshipped in our communities and 
who had families much like ours. They were united in learning and 
sharing to make the world a better place.
  They were extraordinary people: Rick Husband; William McCool; Kalpana 
Chawla; David Brown; Ilan Ramon, payload specialist; and Michael 
Anderson. The true tribute to these brave seven scientists, Mr. 
Speaker, and explorers lives in the memory and pride of parents, 
siblings, and loved ones. They will also live on through their 
sacrifices to science and math education.
  In my congressional district, students at the Decatur Township 
Lynwood Elementary School will learn about these brave space explorers, 
the wonders of the universe, science, and mathematics at the EdVenture 
Lab. The EdVenture Lab at Lynwood Elementary School is the first in the 
Nation for grades kindergarten through fifth grade. It works in 
conjunction with the Challenger Center for Space Science Education 
using national and State standards.

                              {time}  1715

  Adventure Lab is a multi-media rich environment which enables limited 
inquiry opportunities for all ages.
  So let me close, Mr. Speaker, in saying in the Book of Ecclesiastes 
it talks about a time for all things, a time to be born and a time to 
die.
  These scientists in the short time that they had on Earth were using 
their time very wisely for the benefits of all of us, and their 
sacrifices and contributions will live in the lives of this world 
forever.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee), certainly an area 
that has a great deal of impact on the work of NASA and aviation in 
this Nation.
  Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, America is all aware of the tragedy of our 
seven

[[Page 2399]]

losses, but I would like to pay particular tribute to two American 
stories that bear repeating as we think about our loss.
  First, I want to pay tribute to the very unique life of Dr. Kalpana 
Chawla, a woman who had such an incredible personal story that became 
now an American icon.
  Dr. Chawla was born in India and raised in a small town called Karnal 
in the Punjab region. She at an early age decided to become associated 
with space, and she went to the University of Punjab and later received 
a degree from the University of Texas, and now has become a part of the 
tradition and story of American and international progress. She served 
both in the last space shuttle flight, the Columbia, and in 1997; and 
the world is proud of her. But what I want to say particularly is I 
think Dr. Chawla's story is one that can be embraced by America in the 
sense that we have been a magnet for people of incredible ambition and 
talent that have helped America lead the world in technology in a whole 
host of ways.
  But this is also a story of success for India. India rightfully 
shares the privilege and honor of having raised and educated Dr. Chawla 
early in her life. And it is a story of success in my district where 
many people have come from India, have been educated in India, but who 
are now successful in developing software at Microsoft and other 
companies, are now providing medical services to our constituents and 
our families, are now designing aircraft at Boeing, and are part of the 
American dream of keeping America on the cutting edge of technology.
  So her heroism and success is a symbol both for the American 
commitment to continue growth but to success for other countries, and 
particularly India, in their ambitions. And we honor her and her family 
for her incredible contributions both to America and India and to the 
world.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to pay tribute particularly to Lieutenant 
Colonel Michael Anderson, who grew up in Spokane and has his picture in 
Cheney High School.
  To Lieutenant Colonel Anderson's family, we simply say that we 
believe that he has a legacy of perhaps the highest accomplishment for 
any American; and he has inspired those who will come behind him in 
Cheney, Washington and in Washington and in America. We honor him.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire if the 
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) has any more 
speakers.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, we have no more speakers. I will be 
closing the discussion.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my colleagues who have come to the floor 
today to support the resolution offered by the majority leader, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), and the minority leader, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), who have come together to 
allow us to show our remorse, our sympathy, our concern in the great 
loss this Nation has experienced. We first want to thank them.
  I want to also and would like to also thank NASA's Sean O'Keefe, the 
administrator, and all of the personnel that each day lay their 
commitment on the line so that this Nation might reach a very great 
future. To all of the staff persons at NASA and Johnson who mourned and 
who embraced in love those who were experiencing great suffering 
because of the tragedy, I thank them. To the scientists and researchers 
and contractors who were engaged in this work in and around Houston and 
throughout the Nation, we thank you.
  To my colleagues, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson) and the rest 
of the congressional delegation of Texas who have been strong 
supporters, along with our colleagues across the Nation, we too thank 
you for understanding that without exploration in space, there is no 
hope. For where there is no vision, the people will perish.
  This is not a time, Mr. Speaker, to dwell on criticisms. This is a 
time to say that we will find out the facts; and however the facts may 
fall, we will improve and correct and enhance NASA. We also want to 
thank NASA for the quick response, the quick announcing of an 
independent commission with Admiral Gehman, and we also want to thank 
them for their openness to the American people and to the families.
  For the critics who will say that everyone who spoke, from the 
President, to the administrator, to the chief of astronauts said that 
space exploration must continue, and to the religious communities, as 
well, that have prayed for us, the Grace Community Church that I 
worshipped in where Rick Husband and Mike Anderson worshipped, to Beth 
Yeshuron who acknowledged and memorialized Ilan Ramon with his family, 
to all of the various religions, the Hindu faith of which Kalpana 
Chawla was a member, and to the Indian community and to the American 
communities, we thank you.
  So I close, Mr. Speaker, by giving words on behalf of the family, and 
as I read them I would ask that these words would be allowed to be 
included in the Record. It is a statement from the astronauts' families 
that was issued. The words are as follows and I believe they speak for 
themselves: ``On January 16, we saw our loved ones launch into a 
brilliant cloud-free sky. Their hearts were full of enthusiasm, pride 
in country, faith in their god and a willingness to accept risk in the 
pursuit of knowledge. Knowledge that they might improve the quality of 
life for all mankind.
  Although we grieve deeply, as do the families of Apollo I and 
Challenger before us, the bold exploration of space must go on. Once 
the root cause of this tragedy is found and corrected, the legacy of 
Columbia must carry on for the benefit of our children and yours.''
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the conquests of the frontier and the development of new 
technology is how we have defined ourselves as Americans from the 
clipper ships to the railroads to heavier-than-air flight, which was, 
by the way, established only 100 years ago this year by two American 
bicycle shop owners. One hundred years of heavier-than-air flight, and 
now we are engaged in the conquest of outerspace.
  As man ascended into the air after the Wright Brothers successfully 
accomplished the first flight, many lives were lost in the historic 
task of creating the technology that now enables us to circumvent the 
world and has brought every person in the world together.
  Now, as in the early stages of the engineering and development of 
technology that provided us with this conquest of the air, we are 
engaged in the development of engineering and technology that will move 
us into the heavens, into space. But there is a price to pay as America 
moves forward with technology and as America moves forward in the 
conquest of this last frontier.
  Space pioneers, as those on the shuttles Challenger and Columbia, are 
those who take the greatest risk and have paid the heaviest price. That 
is why they are heroes. They risk their lives to lift all of humankind. 
It was over 20 years ago in 1981 when I first worked with President 
Ronald Reagan on his remarks when he met the first astronauts off of a 
space shuttle to return from that very first shuttle flight back in 
1981. There he was in the Mojave Desert waiting to welcome our 
astronauts from the first shuttle flight.
  The shuttle had proved itself to be a historic accomplishment, an 
inspiration to the American people; and in those days we needed 
inspiration. It helped lift our spirits as we saw it ascend to space 
and then land in California. The first shuttle, of course, that shuttle 
that landed was the Space Shuttle Columbia. Over the years it did a 
tremendous service for our country and for the world, as did all those 
astronauts that used and were on the Space Shuttle Columbia and the 
other shuttles.
  As we mourn the loss of our astronaut heroes today, let us pledge to

[[Page 2400]]

keep moving forward in their memory. Let us pledge to move forward with 
confidence that some day just as there was a Good Ship Columbia, which 
was the Columbia, the gem of the ocean that gave us such pride, just as 
there was the Space Shuttle Columbia that lifted our spirits and has 
given us such pride over these last 20 years, there will again be a 
transportation system named after Columbia, perhaps after this 
Columbia. And it will inspire Americans and the whole world in the 
future as it will lift us to new heights and new accomplishments in the 
area of science and in the conquests of those frontiers that lie ahead.
  As we move forward today, we mourn this loss. We ask that the 
families understand that the sacrifice that their family members, that 
these astronauts have made is deeply appreciated by all of us here in 
Congress, by all of the American people, and by all of the people 
throughout the world. They have done well by America. We are grateful 
that they have lived and given their lives for us, and now we will move 
forward as is the task of all generations of Americans.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution 
and to offer my heartfelt prayers on behalf of the families, friends 
and loved ones of the seven crew members who lost their lives aboard 
the Space Shuttle Columbia. Our whole nation mourns with them.
  While this has been a terrible accident, it is important to note that 
this is only the third accident in the history of the United States 
space program to result in the loss of life. My home of Grand Rapids, 
Michigan, especially feels and understands the pain of this loss, as 
one of our native sons, Roger B. Chafee, was among the first Americans 
to lose their lives in the space program when the Apollo 1 cabin was 
engulfed in a launch pad fire during testing in 1967.
  Obviously, we do not have a full understanding of what happened last 
Saturday, but I am certain that we, as a nation, will do everything we 
can to understand what went wrong. As we conduct this investigation, we 
must commit ourselves to the proposition that the cause of exploration 
in which these astronauts died will continue. I strongly urge my fellow 
Members of Congress and the nation as a whole that we must continue to 
develop our space science program. These missions serve several goals, 
including valuable scientific and technical research and fulfilling the 
call of humanity to explore and expand our knowledge.
  For example, experiments conducted by the astronauts aboard Columbia 
will enhance our earthquake preparedness and safety, foster our efforts 
for cleaner air, and assist in strengthening human health. But, beyond 
the technical value of science in space, with each mission we are 
deepening our understanding of the conditions and effects of space on 
the human body. Each piece of knowledge is a stepping stone to further 
space exploration, enabling a fuller understanding of our universe and 
satisfying the call of stepping into the unknown.
  This endeavor of exploration and discovery is the most appropriate 
way that we can honor the men and women that President Bush eulogized 
as ``Seven lives of great purpose and achievement'': Mission Commander 
Rick Husband; Pilot William McCool; Payload Commander Michael Anderson; 
Mission Specialists Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, and Laurel Clark; and 
Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon. May our continued dedication to the work 
they pursued with their lives be our most significant memorial.
  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, Today, I rise to salute the seven astronauts 
who lost their lives aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia: Commander Rick 
Husband; Pilot William McCool; Mission Specialists Michael P. Anderson, 
David M. Brown, Kalpana Chawla, and Laurel Clark; and payload 
specialist Ilan Ramon, an Israeli.
  On January 16, 2002, the Columbia left on a 16-day mission that was 
dedicated to research in physical, life, and space sciences, conducted 
in approximately 80 separate experiments, and comprised of hundreds of 
samples and test points. The men and women aboard the Columbia traveled 
over six million miles and labored 24 hours a day to complete this 
mission. On February 1, 2003, just minutes from completing its mission, 
the Columbia was lost during its reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. 
This loss was unexpected and terrible and today we remember not only 
this tragedy, but the seven heroes who were lost and their achievement.
  For the families of the seven, we share your grief in this national 
tragedy. With heavy hearts we as a nation share in your sorrow and 
pride. My sincere condolences and prayers are with you in this time of 
great loss. America was blessed to have such men and women serving in 
the space program. While our space program has experienced tragedy 
before, it never becomes easy to bear. And today we grieve the loss of 
these heroes.
  Though there are great risks involved in space travel, its benefits 
to life on earth has been tremendous. The heroes aboard the Columbia 
were fulfilling America's commitment of more than a half century to 
explore the universe. Their loss does nothing to diminish the great 
respect that American's have in the space program. Despite this great 
loss, America will continue to send people into space. The dedication 
and professionalism of astronauts have impressed us for generations and 
the crew of the Columbia continued this tradition of brave men and 
women who have traveled into space to honor the American spirit of 
exploration. These astronauts are an example of everything that we 
consider honorable. Honoring them with this resolution is just one way 
we can pay tribute to their memory and accomplishments.
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I offered my condolences to the families of 
the brave men and women who flew into the heavens, representing the 
Earth below them as well as any flight crew could. The mix of men and 
women, 6 Americans and an Israeli, reflected the international 
cooperation of the space program, and the diverse ethnic makeup of the 
United States.
  I met Payload Commander Michael P. Anderson some time ago. I saw him 
in my office in 1999 when he and other astronauts were in my office to 
see me after his previous trip into space. They gave me a collage of 
pictures from aboard their spaceship, with an American flag and mission 
patch. This hangs in my office and I will always remember Commander 
Anderson--and the other astronauts who perished with him--as special, 
courageous patriots.
  While the tragedy will again spark the debate over the need for human 
space flight, in this era of technological gains, the need is clear for 
humans in space. For this nation to be a power in space, we must 
continue to be in the forefront of human exploration of space. 
Americans are forever looking forward, dreaming of the stars. While we 
mourn the fallen astronauts, our nation looks forward at the new 
frontier of space.
  All progress in the past 40 years has taken humans only as far as the 
moon and our first colony on the International Space Station. That is 
only the cusp of the exploration of our universe. Already, we have 
placed a rover on mars and the possibilities and wonders of space 
travel and exploration are endless. We don't do that for sport; the 
science conducted in space without the confines of gravity is simply 
amazing. Today we are enjoying the benefits of the scientific and 
technological advances space scientists have brought back to Earth over 
the past 40 years--from medical science to computer chips.
  The research conducted aboard the spaceship Columbia was for the good 
of the entire human race. The small scientific steps they were taking 
for our nation, and the world, continue to be giant steps for mankind, 
the sort that propel us forward into new space and scientific 
frontiers. We must never take for granted the absolute danger of each 
trip into space. It's called a frontier for a reason: it is dangerous 
and unknown. Our astronauts all know that. They ride a rocket into 
space, fly among the stars, then re-enter our environment through the 
outer layer of atmosphere that literally burns at 3,000 degrees. That 
is an incredibly dangerous ride, each and every time a ship goes up. It 
is not 100 percent safe, nor are airplanes, yet we will continue to 
ride in them.
  The Columbia crew was conducing experiments relating to 
communications, energy, health and medicine. These are all the areas we 
must continue to explore as our Earth grows smaller, our energy 
supplies dwindle, and the cost of medicines spiral. Machines could not 
begin to conduct meticulous scientific experiments, particularly those 
on the human body. Only humans have the judgment necessary to explore 
space; we must not let our fear dictate our exploration of space.
  There is no question, as long as there are brave men and women in 
America who dream of the stars and long to travel among them, we will 
have a strong, robust space program. We must continue to send brave 
astronauts into space, complete the International Space Station, and go 
further into this planetary system and galaxy in this century--and we 
will. We are still fulfilling the challenge issued by President Kennedy 
in exploring the frontier of space. We have thrown our cap over the 
wall of space, and we have no choice but to follow.
  Lastly, let me express my concerns for citizens of East Texas 
traumatized not only by

[[Page 2401]]

the streaking explosion above them, but also by the pieces of the 
shuttle falling from the sky around them. Texans have responded as 
Texans do--we pitch in and help. I am proud of the local response in 
the areas of Texas and Louisiana where the debris field stretches. 
Texans have stepped up to the plate to stand guard over pieces of 
debris simply because there are not enough NASA officials to guard or 
collect the tonnage of debris.
  There is a certain symmetry in losing a space ship in the skies of 
Texas, the state that gave birth to the modern space program. Texas 
remains ever a part of the life and legacy of our space exploration. We 
remain dedicated to the memory of these brave men and women, and are 
working to find the clues to discover how this tragedy occurred.
  America mourns our fallen heroes; and we will always reach for the 
stars in their memory.
  I thank the leadership of the House of Representatives for sponsoring 
this resolution.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, from the earliest of time, man 
has yearned to explore the unknown--to chart the distant stars. This 
unquenchable spirit to learn what is beyond the horizon, or over the 
next hill, is part of who we are. As Americans, this character is, more 
than anything, a defining part of us as a people. Indeed the America 
that we lovingly call home is far from the distant lands of most of our 
early roots.
  From Lewis and Clark to the ``iron horse'' and the wagon train, the 
earliest quest for manned flight and, yes, even the first efforts to 
explore the heavens are celebrated mileposts on our journey for 
discovery. The Space Shuttle Columbia and the brave crew that she 
carried into space were, and is, part of this long voyage.
  We have always known and accepted the risks associated with our most 
daring of efforts. This does not, however, lessen the deep pain in our 
heart or fill the empty void in our soul brought on by this tragedy. 
Space Shuttle flights were never without risks, though many had grown 
to view them that way.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that this Congress, indeed, the nation 
and the world, honor and remember the members of this diverse and 
international space crew that was lost. We must express our deepest 
appreciation to them and their families for the sacrifice that they 
made for the advancement of humanity. For their mission was a noble 
one.
  As a Floridian, the Columbia tragedy hits very close to home. 
Florida's east coast was where the crew trained and prepared for its 
mission, and it was to be where they would be reunited with their 
families and friends after 16 days amongst the stars.
  The Kennedy Space Center, located at Cape Canaveral, is no more than 
90 minutes north of my Congressional District. On a clear day, my 
constituents can see the glow of the space shuttle as it launches 
toward the heavens. In some instances, some have even felt the Earth 
tremble beneath their feet as the Columbia and her sister ships 
departed Florida's east coast.
  We will never forget Air Force Colonel Rick D. Husband, Navy 
Commander William ``Willie'' McCool, Air Force Lieutenant Colonel 
Michael P. Anderson, Navy Captain David M. Brown, Dr. Kalpana Chawla, 
Navy Commander (Captain-select) Laurel Blair Salton Clark, and Colonel, 
Israeli Air Force, Ilan Ramon. All will occupy a space on life's honor 
role for their selfless dedication to mankind.
  On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy stood before a nation 
immersed in a race to space with the former Soviet Union and declared, 
``I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the 
goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and 
returning him safely to Earth.'' Barely eight years later, Americans 
from Florida to Honolulu and from Maine to California heard the famous 
words of Neil Armstrong as he became the first human being to step foot 
on the moon. ``That's one small step for man, one giant leap for 
mankind.''
  Since then, well over 300 men and women from more than 25 countries 
have lived the dream for which so many of us have longed. That is, to 
see what our planet looks like from the heavens. Outer space is a place 
where the beauty of the blues and greens of the Earth overshadow the 
day-to-day difficulties facing Americans and others throughout the 
world. It is a place where uncertainty is accepted, but answers are 
always sought. It is a place that every child--male and female, tall 
and short, black, white, and brown--falls asleep, at least one night in 
their lives, fantasizing about what it would be like to see the Earth 
from a place amongst the stars.
  These dreams and aspirations, as we all know, were not limited to 
American children. In Israel, Colonel Ramon's participation in 
Columbia's mission was extremely special, as Ramon was Israel's first 
ever astronaut. Israelis watched Colonel Ramon's every move with great 
enthusiasm and anticipation. Updates on his mission and conversations 
with Israeli news personalities provided the Israeli, community with a 
much-needed break from a never-ending conflict with the Palestinians. 
The tragic death of Colonel Ramon, however, means that no one will be 
returning to Israel to talk about what it was like in space, looking 
down at a world where violence and terrorism is not so obvious.
  Here in America, Dr. Chawla, the first Indian-American astronaut, was 
another example of breaking down walls for minorities. Her 
participation in the mission sent a clear message to Indian-American 
children, and other minorities, that space travel can be a reality for 
all Americans--regardless of their ethnic background and color of their 
skin.
  Realize, the studies that were being done by Dr. Chawla and others 
were to impact many of us here on Earth. Captain Anderson, the crew's 
only African American, was attempting to grow prostate cancer cells, a 
disease that disproportionately affects black males; Colonel Ramon was 
studying the effect that dust storms have on global warming; and 
Commander Clark, one of the crew's medical doctors, was examining how 
space affects the human body and the lives of other animals and 
organisms. It is under these studies and findings, as well as others 
currently underway in the International Space Center, with which the 
American space program must expand and grow.
  In the coming days, months, and years, federal agencies, from NASA to 
NORAD, will investigate what happened during Columbia's reentry. Their 
findings will make it safer for Americans and others to visit the 
heavens, but no investigation will ever replace our seven astronauts, 
our seven brothers and sisters that we lost last Saturday. And 
certainly no investigation will ever erase the glowing image of 
Columbia breaking up as it reentered the Earth's atmosphere. That image 
will forever be etched in our memory, much like those of the Challenger 
and the initial Apollo mission.
  Whether it is increasing minority participation in the space program 
or reaching a new scientific discovery that will save the lives of 
thousands, the space program remains a vital ingredient in the America 
spirit of innovation. We have overcome the odds of the past, and are 
now face to face with the difficulties of the future.
  Mr. Speaker, Socrates said in 500 B.C., ``Man must rise above the 
Earth--to the top of the atmosphere and beyond--for only thus will he 
fully understand the world in which he lives.'' Every time that we 
travel amongst the stars, we learn more about the world of which 
Socrates so eloquently spoke. For it is a world in which we one day 
hope to live, and may the memories of those who perished on the 
Columbia last Saturday forever guide us on that path.
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, our country suffered a 
staggering loss that reminds us how precious and fragile life truly is. 
As we watched the debris from the Columbia space shuttle fall to the 
ground, our hearts sank but our resolve only strengthened.
  Seven astronauts; 15 educational degrees; more than 800 space hours 
traveled; working 24 hours a day for 16 days to perform over 80 
separate experiments.
  Although these numbers are impressive and show their intelligence and 
qualifications, they do not reflect the fullness of the lives of the 
crew of the Columbia. They do not show the courage that they so 
obviously possessed. These numbers do not show the love that they had 
for their families. They don't show their faith or passion for life. 
And the numbers don't show their dedication to a program that has 
consistently proved invaluable to our nation's commitment to 
exploration and has proved necessary for our advancement as a culture, 
a society and a people.
  As we reflect today, I am especially moved by the story of Dr. 
Kalpana Chawla. Dr. Chawla was born in Karnal, India, a country that 
shares our nation's value for democracy and advancement of science. Dr. 
Chawla immigrated to the United States and was naturalized as a citizen 
before becoming an astronaut in 1994. Never afraid of chances, Dr. 
Chawala valued the pursuit of knowledge, a priority for all of the crew 
of the Columbia.
  On this day of remembrance, my thoughts and prayers are with the many 
families that lost their loved ones. These brave men and women gave 
their lives so that our innovative spirit can live on. It is with great 
gratitude that we acknowledge their sacrifice.
  As we remember the Columbia and her courageous crew, I stand 
committed to the NASA program and the spirit of exploration and the 
pursuit of knowledge that these astronauts exemplified.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the seven 
astronauts who tragically

[[Page 2402]]

lost their lives in the space shuttle Columbia disaster on Saturday. 
The crew of the Columbia, Rick Husband, William McCool, Michael 
Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Blair Salton Clark, and 
Ilan Ramon lost their lives while on a mission for all of mankind. By 
exploring, learning, and pushing the boundaries of human understanding, 
they were providing a service to us all. These men and women were more 
than astronauts; they were heroes.
  Astronauts are the modern expression of our pioneer spirit. Just as 
Lewis and Clark risked their lives two hundred years ago to explore the 
uncharted lands of the American West, our astronauts are twenty-first 
century pioneers who put their lives in danger to explore the vast 
expanse that lies beyond earth's frontier--space. The journey into 
space, however, is not exclusively an American effort. As we have 
learned by the outpouring of sympathy from around the globe, space 
exploration is an effort that knows no national borders. Columbia's 
international crew was also a testament to this fact and today our 
hearts and prayers are with our close friends and allies in India and 
Israel, as they mourn the loss of astronauts Kalpana Chawla and Ilan 
Roman.
  Columbia's crew carried with them the dreams and hopes for our 
future; dreams that the research they conducted on protein crystals 
could someday help develop new lifesaving drugs; dreams that a 
combustion experiment could help reduce pollutants in earth's 
atmosphere; and dreams that work done on prostate cancer tissue might 
someday lead to a cure. We must not let these dreams die with them. We 
must continue to push the boundaries of scientific exploration both in 
space and here on the earth.
  In the aftermath of this tragedy many have tried to quantify the 
benefits of the manned space program. But most are not quantifiable. 
How do you measure the sense of earth's fragility and unity inspired by 
those early pictures of earth from outer space? How do you measure the 
significance in human history of stepping on the moon? How do you 
measure the inspiration that man's expeditious into space have given to 
generations of school children around the world?
  As we try to understand what caused the Columbia tragedy and as we 
agonize over what we might have done to prevent it, we must not lose 
sight of the larger meaning of the space program. Our endeavor into 
space has always represented the power of the American belief in the 
possible, in the potential of humanity to achieve what seems 
unachievable. The loss of the Columbia should not put our faith in our 
potential into question because no endeavor worth undertaking is 
without risk or sacrifice.
  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution.
  How many of us when we were young dreamed of being an astronaut, to 
be one of those brave humans who left the Earth to explore the 
mysteries of space? The seven heroic men and women we remember today, 
Rick Husband, David Brown, Michael Anderson, Laurel Blair Salton Clark, 
Kalpana Chawla, Ilan Ramon and Willie McCool, lived the dream.
  They came from around the world and from every background to work 
together for the furtherance of mankind's quest of knowledge. These 
astronauts were on a mission of science, one designed to expand our 
knowledge of fire, reproduction, construction techniques, prostate 
cancer, improved crop yields, better drugs, and astronaut health as 
well as studying the Sun, the Earth, and space by conducting nearly 60 
different experiments during their 16-day mission.
  While we mourn their sudden loss, we must also prepare to use the 
knowledge gained both during their mission and from their tragic deaths 
to help those here on Earth and to prevent such accidents in the 
future.
  Hopefully, last weekend's tragic events will mark not the end of the 
Space Program, but a new beginning. We will go through a process of 
investigation, self-examination, and reflection about what happened. 
But out of that process hopefully will emerge a strengthened U.S. and 
international space program. We will rededicate our selves and our 
nation to achieving NASA's mission of advancing the state of human 
knowledge about outer space, our solar system, and our universe. As the 
same time, as we continue to explore space, we must determine as best 
we can the cause of last week's disaster, so that we can make the 
changes and reforms needed to ensure astronaut and mission safety in 
the future.
  Finally, I would like to extend my sympathies to the families and 
friends of the seven astronauts. The thoughts and prayers of a grateful 
nation are with you at this very difficult time. Your loved ones did 
not die in vain. They died doing something that they loved, but they 
also died doing something aimed at advancing the frontiers of human 
knowledge.
  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, on February 1, 2003, we lost seven of 
mankind's finest. The crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia made the 
ultimate sacrifice, not in a feat of arms, but in the noble quest to 
expand human knowledge. My deepest thoughts and prayers go to the 
families of those brave men and women lost in this accident. Their 
loved ones will be remembered with deep gratitude and admiration for 
their dedication towards advancing our understanding of new frontiers 
and discovering ways science can improve our lives.
  While space shuttles fly regularly, space travel itself is anything 
but routine. Its dangers are many but the Columbia's crew was willing 
to brave them. We in Congress have a duty to them and our astronauts to 
find the cause of this horrific accident. We can never fully eliminate 
the danger, but we can manage the risk. I realize that the NASA family 
is greiving--and they too have my sympathy--but even as we grieve 
Congress must be willing to ask serious questions about the shuttle 
program and our nation's goals for the space program.
  Can NASA implement the space program's goals with only 3 shuttles, 
and if not what next? Should a seventh orbiter be built from scratch, 
or should the Enterprise be rebuilt? If the space program can get by 
with just three shuttles should a new vehicle program be implemented? 
Five years lapsed between Challenger's loss and Endeavour's first 
mission. Could a successor program vehicle enter service in the same 
amount of time that it will take to bring the shuttle fleet back up to 
four?
  Columbia was destroyed on its 28th mission. Discovery's next mission 
will be its 31st. How many more missions does it have left in it?
  Then there's the International Space Station. If a shuttle is damaged 
prior to re-entry how much assistance could it give? Could emergency 
facilities be added? Will having a smaller fleet further delay it in 
becoming fully operational?
  Finally where does our space program go from here? Will we continue 
the trend in manned flight by going no further than low Earth orbit or 
will humanity again push out beyond our planet and return to the Moon 
or even go to Mars?
  I am confident that NASA and Congress will address these questions. 
As America's space program continues into the future, we have a 
responsibility to provide it direction. I believe that the space 
program will continue to benefit humanity, and we in Congress must do 
all we can to ensure the safety of our astronauts when they embark on 
future missions.
  Seventeen years ago President Reagan consoled our nation after 
another group of seven heroes were lost to us in similar, tragic 
fashion. He ended his remarks by briefly quoting from the poem by an 
American pilot, John Gillespie Magee Jr., who died in flight. Magee's 
stirring words are a fitting tribute to those who strive to explore and 
live in the heavens.

     Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
     And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings,
     Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
     Of sun-split clouds--and done a hundred things
     You have not dreamed of--wheeled and soared and swung
     High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
     I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
     My eager craft through footless halls of air.
     Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
     I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
     Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
     And, while silent lifting mind I've trod
     The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
     Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

  When asked by his brother about what would happen if something went 
wrong Captain David Brown, a member of Columbia's final crew, replied 
``this program will go on.'' He was right but it will not just be this 
one program that goes on. No matter what setbacks confront us humanity 
will explore the unknown, brave its dangers and continue our drive to 
create a better world.
  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday a tragedy occurred that 
touched every one of us. We lost seven brave explorers and now grieve 
along with their friends and family.
  In our modern world, we have grown comfortable with the frequent 
occurrence of space travel, forgetting that with each mission, there is 
risk. The men and women of Columbia knew the risks, and in the name of 
discovery accepted them.
  We owe each one of these brave voyagers a great deal of gratitude and 
reverence.
  As a country we hold life and freedom as our highest values, and it 
is natural for us to

[[Page 2403]]

question the meaning behind the Columbia mission to determine whether 
it was worth the loss we feel now. One of the ironies of such a tragedy 
is that the valuable work these men and women were doing is now on the 
front pages of every newspaper and in the headlines of our evening news 
programs. If the mission had been completed as scheduled, there would 
have been perhaps a column on the back page of the newspaper or a 30 
second newsbyte. Outside of the space community, few people are aware 
of the extraordinary advances being made in the fields of medicine, 
agriculture, physical and biological science by our space programs.
  Our missions into space will continue to hold a measure of risk and I 
believe we should support these missions in every way possible. Our 
country has had a tradition of leading the way in exploration in every 
field, and that tradition should continue. The exploration of space 
will go on in the name of these seven fine men and women and in the 
name of all those who went before them.
  On January 16 seven astronauts journeyed out of this world and they 
would go farther than anyone of us imagined; into the greatest unknown. 
However, their journey is not over and their legacy will never be 
forgotten God Bless.
  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, I join with the whole nation and the world 
in mourning the loss of the seven-member crew of the space shuttle 
Columbia (STS-107).
  My condolences go out to the families of Commander Rick Husband, 
Pilot William McCool, Mission Specialists David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, 
Michael Anderson, Laura Clark, and Payload Special Ilan Ramon.
  The flight of STS-107, seen as routine by many at its beginning, 
ended in tragedy on February first with the loss of the crew upon 
Columbia's re-entry in the earth's atmosphere as the shuttle was headed 
for home.
  All loss of life is tragic, but it is especially painful when those 
who represent our best and brightest are suddenly take from us. The 
crew of Columbia gave their lives doing what they loved most--pushing 
back the boundaries of the unknown while striving to better all 
humankind. For certain, their mission was not in vain.
  America is not finished with space. Indeed, our exploration beyond 
the veil of our home planet has only just begun. We owe it to the crew 
of Columbia, Challenger, Apollo 1, and all those who despite the risks 
dared to dream, to continue the beneficial programs of space 
exploration and experimentation.
  We live in an age when the ego and excess of pampered athletes and 
pop idols underservedly garner the lion's share of national attention. 
Yet there are plenty of suitable role models for America's youth. Those 
who wear the uniform of this great Nation in far away lands or while 
orbiting hundreds of miles above our earth are ``real'' heroes.
  Those who rushed the cockpit of United Airlines Flight 93 to save our 
Nation's Capitol from certain terrorist destruction are heroes, as are 
the tireless firefighters and emergency workers who labored in the wake 
of 9/11 to save lives and inspire our land.
  Today we say farewell to seven more heroes--the men and women of 
space shuttle Columbia. Their contributions and sacrifice will never be 
forgotten.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, human space 
exploration is inherently risky. Distance, speed and an environment 
that can not support human life combine to make human space flights 
particularly precarious.
  Unfortunately the world has new evidence of the dangers associated 
with space exploration. Millions watched as images of a singular, 
brilliant point of light in the sky became two, three, and four points 
of light as space shuttle Columbia broke apart over my home State of 
Texas.
  I join the rest of the country and the world in mourning the seven 
brave astronauts whom we lost in this national tragedy. The outpouring 
of sympathy from the citizens of the world is recognition that the crew 
heroically put their lives on the line in the name of science and 
research.
  More than a decade ago, January 28th, 1986, our country's space 
program was dealt another tragedy as we lost the crew of the space 
shuttle Challenger. The findings of the ``Report of the Presidential 
Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident'' (referred to as 
the Rogers' Commission Report) have changed NASA procedures to make 
human space flight safe. It is incumbent upon the federal government to 
conduct a vigorous and comprehensive investigation to uncover and 
alleviate the events that led to Columbia's accident. I pledge to do 
what I can to help our space program recover from this terrible setback 
so these important endeavors can flourish in the future. As a Senior 
member of the Science Committee, I will work closely with my House 
colleagues to assist NASA and Harold Gehman Jr. who will lead the 
special investigative commission.
  I am the ranking member of the Science Subcommittee on Basic 
Research. In this important capacity, I have taken a major leadership 
role regarding America's commitment to technological development and 
scientific research and application. As such, I am a firm believer that 
the United States will continue our space program that has accomplished 
so much in the areas of research and science. This important and 
beneficial program is essential to advancing technology.
  Specific technological advances made possible by space research 
include the arteriosclerosis detection, ultrasound scanners, automatic 
insulin pump, portable x-ray device, invisible braces, dental arch 
wire, palate surgery technology, clean room apparel, implantable heart 
aid, MRI, bone analyzer, and cataract surgery tools.
  The Space Shuttle Program has yielded many lifesaving medical tests, 
accessibility advances for the physically challenged, and products that 
make our lives more safe and enjoyable. Such as:
  Digital Imaging Breast Biopsy System--The LORAD Stereo Guide Breast 
Biopsy system incorporates advanced Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs) as 
part of a digital camera system. The resulting device images breast 
tissue more clearly and efficiently. Known as stereotactic large-core 
needle biopsy, this nonsurgical system developed with Space Telescope 
Technology is less traumatic and greatly reduces the pain, scarring, 
radiation exposure, time, and costs associated with invasive surgical 
biopsies.
  Breast Cancer Detection--A solar cell sensor is positioned directly 
beneath x-ray film, and determines exactly when film has received 
sufficient radiation and has been exposed to optimum density. 
Associated electronic equipment then sends a signal to cut off the x-
ray source. Reduction of mammography x-ray exposure reduces radiation 
hazard and doubles the number of patient exams per machine.
  Laser Angioplasty--Laser angioplasty with a ``cool'' type of laser, 
caller an excimer laser, does not damage blood vessel walls and offers 
precise non-surgical cleaning of clogged arteries with extraordinary 
precision and fewer complications than in balloon angioplasty.
  Blood Serum Research--An astronaut's body, once free of gravity's 
pull, experiences a redistribution of body fluids that can lead to a 
decrease in the number of red blood cells and produce a form of space 
anemia. Monitoring and evaluating blood serum was required to 
understand these phenomena. However, existing blood-analysis technology 
required the use of a centrifugation technology that was not practical 
in space. NASA developed new technologies for the collection and real-
time analysis of blood as well as other bodily fluids without the need 
for centrifugation.
  Ultrasound Skin Damage Assessment--Advanced instrument using NASA 
ultrasound technology enables immediate assessment of burn damage 
depth, improving patient treatment, and may save lives in serious burn 
cases.
  Lifesaving Light--Special lighting technology developed for plant-
growth experiments on Space Shuttle missions is now used to treat brain 
tumors in children. Doctors at the Medical College of Wisconsin in 
Milwaukee use light-emitting diodes in a treatment called photodynamic 
therapy, a form of chemotherapy, to kill cancerous tumors.
  Human Tissue Stimulator--Employing NASA satellite technology, the 
device is implanted in the body to help patient control chronic pain 
and involuntary motion disorders through electrical stimulation of 
targeted nerve centers or particular areas of the brain.
  3-D Biotechnology--Developed for Space Shuttle medical research, a 
rotating cell-culture device simulates the microgravity of space. This 
allows researchers to grow cells in three dimensions. The device may 
one day help researchers find cures for dangerous infectious diseases 
and offer alternatives to patients who need organ transplant surgery.
  Cool Suit--Custom-made suit derived from space suits circulates 
coolant through tubes to lower patient's body temperature, producing 
dramatic improvement of symptoms of multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, 
spina bifida and other conditions.
  Programmable Pacemaker--Incorporating multiple NASA technologies, the 
system consists of the implant and a physician's computer console 
containing the programming and a data printer. Communicates through 
wireless telemetry signals.
  Ocular Screening--NASA image processing techniques are used to detect 
eye problems in

[[Page 2404]]

very young children. An electronic flash from a 35-millimeter camera 
sends light into the child's eyes, and a photorefractor analyzes the 
retinal reflexes, producing an image of each eye.
  Automated Urinalysis--NASA fluid dynamics studies helped development 
of system that automatically extracts and transfers sediment from urine 
sample to an analyzer microscope, replacing the manual centrifuge 
method.
  Medical Gas Analyzer--Astronaut-monitoring technology used to develop 
system to monitor operating rooms for analysis of anesthetic gasses and 
measurement of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen concentrations to 
assure proper breathing environment for surgery patients.
  Voice-Controlled Wheelchair--NASA teleoperator and robot technology 
used to develop chair and manipulator that respond to 35 one-word voice 
commands utilizing a minicomputer to help patient perform daily tasks, 
like picking up packages, opening doors, and turning on appliances.
  Land Mine Removal--The same rocket fuel that helps launch the Space 
Shuttle is now being used to save lives--by destroying land mines. A 
flare device, using leftover fuel donated by NASA, is placed next to 
the uncovered land mine and is ignited from a safe distance using a 
battery-triggered electric match. The explosive burns away, disabling 
the mine and rendering it harmless.
  Rescue 911--Rescue squads have a new extrication tool to help remove 
accident victims from wrecked vehicles. The hand-held device requires 
no auxiliary power systems or cumbersome hoses and is 70 percent 
cheaper than previous rescue equipment. The cutter uses a miniature 
version of the explosive charges that separate devices on the Space 
Shuttle.
  Byte Out of Crime--Image-processing technology used to analyze Space 
Shuttle launch videos and to study meteorological images also helps law 
enforcement agencies improve crime-solving videos. The technology 
removes defects due to image jitter, image rotation and image zoom in 
video sequences. The technology also may be useful for medical imaging, 
scientific applications and home video.
  Product Labeling--NASA needs to identify, track, and keep records on 
each of the thousands of heat-shield tiles on the Space Shuttle. This 
required a labeling system that could be put on ceramic material and 
withstand the rigors of space travel to be readable after a flight. 
NASA developed high data-density, two-dimensional, machine-readable 
symbol technology used to mark individual tiles. This novel method of 
labeling products with invisible and virtually indestructible markings 
can be used on electronic parts, pharmaceuticals and livestock--in fact 
on just about anything.
  Keep Cool Under Fire--Materials from the Space Shuttle thermal 
protection system are used on NASCAR racing cars to protect drivers 
from the extreme heat generated by the engines. This same material is 
also used to protect firefighters.
  Fire Resistant Foam--A unique foam developed for Space Shuttle 
thermal insulation and packing is now being used as thermal and 
acoustical insulation in aerospace, marine and industrial products. 
Since it's also fire resistant, it's being used as well for fire 
barriers, packaging and other applications requiring either high-
temperature or very low-temperature insulation in critical 
environments. For example, use of these foam products by airframe 
manufacturers such as Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, and Airbus provides 
major weight savings, while retaining good thermal and acoustical 
properties in the various products.
  Fire Sighting--A sensitive, gas infrared camera, used by NASA 
observers to monitor the blazing plumes from the Space Shuttle's solid 
rocket boosters is also capable of scanning for fires. Firefighters use 
this hand-held camera to pinpoint the hotspots of wildfires that rage 
out of control. Gem Jewelers no longer have to worry about inhaling 
dangerous asbestos fibers from the blocks they use as soldering bases. 
Space Shuttle heat-shield tiles offer jewelers a safer soldering base 
with temperature resistance far beyond the 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit 
generated by the jeweler's torch.
  Jet Stripping--NASA developed a tool that uses powerful jet streams 
of water to strip paint and primer from the Space Shuttle's solid 
rocket boosters. A commercial version of this water jet is now used to 
treat turbine-engine components, airframe components, large aerospace 
hardware, ships and other mechanical devices, using only pure water. No 
hazardous chemicals are needed.
  Quick Fit Fasterners--Fastening items in space is a difficult task. A 
Virginia company developed a fastener that can be pushed on, rather 
than turned. These quick-connect fasteners are flexible and strong, and 
have been used by NASA astronauts since 1989. The product is now in use 
by firefighters and nuclear power-plant repair technicians, and has 
other commercial applications.
  Computer Joysticks--Computer games can now be played with all the 
precision and sensitivity needed for a safe and soft Space Shuttle 
touchdown. A game-controlling joystick for personal computer-based 
entertainment systems was modeled after controls used in shuttle 
simulators. Astronauts used the joystick to practice runway landings 
and orbit maneuvering.
  Toys For Tots--Already successful with its Nerf toy products, Hasbro, 
Inc. wanted to design a toy glider that a child could fly. Benefitting 
from NASA wind-tunnel and aerodynamic expertise used in the Space 
Shuttle program, Hasbro improved the flying distances and loop-to-loop 
stunts of its toy gliders.
  As witnessed, the Space Shuttle can be configured to carry many 
different types of equipment, spacecraft and scientific experiments. 
The Space Shuttle is essential in the assembly of the International 
Space Station (advancing life sciences & technology through long-
duration missions) and repairing and servicing the Hubble Space 
Telescope (enabling many new discoveries in Space Science). As an 
enabling function, the Space Shuttle is fully engaged in providing 
services for earth and physical science research. The Space Shuttle 
also engages the private sector in the development of space by 
providing flight opportunities for industry, academia and government to 
conduct applied research relevant to NASA's mission through access to 
the space environment. I will foresee that cooperative activities with 
the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science 
Foundation (NSF), the Department of Defense (DoD) and other U.S. 
agencies will continue to advance knowledge of health, medicine, 
science and technology.
  STS-107, which was lost on February 1, 2003, was a 16-day mission 
dedicated to research in physical, life, and space sciences, conducted 
in approximately 80 separate experiments, comprised of hundreds of 
samples and test points. With two Americans and a Russian still 
stationed at the International Space Station, it is imperative that 
this program not come to a halt. This most unfortunate and tragic loss 
of five men and two women, representing a mosaic of races and 
nationalities, will be mourned and these great American heroes will not 
be forgotten.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
late crew of the space shuttle Columbia. Like many of my colleagues, I 
had the privilege of traveling yesterday to the NASA Johnson Space 
Center in Houston, Texas to attend a memorial service for the seven 
heroes we lost on February 1, 2003.
  On behalf of the people of American Samoa, I now express American 
Samoa's deepest condolences in this time of national tragedy. As the 
Governor of American Samoa noted in his general memorandum issued on 
February 3, 2003, American Samoa shares a special relationship with the 
U.S. space program. Five Apollo missions had splashdown landings near 
American Samoa. For four of those landings, American Samoa was also the 
first landfall for our nation's astronauts.
  Like Americans everywhere, we grieve for the lost crew of the space 
shuttle Columbia. We also grieve for the families they left behind. 
Although our astronauts did not make it back to earth, we join with 
President Bush in praying that they made it safely home. That their 
sacrifice may not have been in vain, the United States of America will 
remain committed to space exploration and we will also fully 
investigate the cause of Saturday's accident.
  Once again, and on behalf of the people of American Samoa, I extend 
my deepest condolences and heart-felt sympathy of the families and 
friends of our lost crew. I also pay special tribute and offer my 
personal condolences to the good people of Israel. The thoughts and 
prayers of American Samoa are with you. In this time of national and 
international mourning, may we find peace and may God bless America.
  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
condolences to the families of the crewmembers of the Columbia Shuttle 
Mission. I am truly saddened by the loss of these American heroes, and 
I will support efforts to ensure that the future of exploratory science 
research lives on for our future generations.
  The state of Ohio is known as ``The Birthplace of Aviation,'' and is 
also the home of 24 astronauts. This exclusive list includes 
individuals such as: John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Carl Walz, Michael T. 
Good, and Tom Henricks.
  Cleveland, Ohio is the home of the NASA Glenn Research Facility; one 
of eight facilities

[[Page 2405]]

that conduct ground-based research for NASA in North America. On March 
1, 1999, NASA renamed its Cleveland center the ``John H. Glenn Research 
Center at Lewis Field'' in honor of John Glenn.
  John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth. He served as a 
United States Senator from Ohio and made a historic return to space 
aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on October 29, 1998, returning on 
November 7, 1998. The mission included three microgravity science 
payloads from NASA Lewis Center.
  Ohio astronaut and Cleveland native Carl Walz spent six months in a 
home away from home: the International Space Station (ISS). Mr. Walz 
was a part of the Expedition 4 crew that traveled to the ISS aboard the 
Space Shuttle Endeavour when it lifted off on December 5, 2001 to begin 
the STS-108 mission. He returned to earth on June 5, 2002 during the 
STS-111 mission. During their stay aboard the ISS, Walz and Expedition 
4 crewmate Dan Bursch broke the U.S. space flight endurance record. Mr. 
Walz also holds the U.S. record for most cumulative time in space, 
spending 231 days.
  Since 1945, NASA Glenn has been a pioneer in rocket engine and 
propellant technology. This research resulted in the development of the 
Centaur upper stage, one of NASA Glenn's most significant achievements. 
The technology made significant contributions to the Apollo program, 
enabling the massive payloads to support human missions to the moon. 
Likewise, NASA Glenn has been a pioneer in low-gravity research.
  The NASA Glenn Research Center specifically developed experiments for 
the 16-day Columbia mission, STS-107, in the areas of biology, physics, 
chemistry, and Earth science. These experiments were located both 
inside and outside the Shuttle, and were the primary focus of the 
flight crew given that they made up over 60 percent of the mass and 45 
percent of the crew time for NASA's Biological and Physical Research 
portion of the flight.
  Some examples of these projects included experiments on: Laminar 
Soot; Structure of Flame Balls at Low Lewis-number; Water Mist Fire 
Suppression Experiment; Combustion Module-2 Facility; Critical 
Viscosity of Xenon; and Space Acceleration Measurement System and 
Orbital Acceleration Research.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support efforts to ensure that 
the future of exploratory science research lives on for our future 
generations.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
the life of Dr. Kalpana Chawla, who died tragically aboard the Space 
Shuttle Columbia, along with six other crew members. Dr. Chawla was the 
first Indian-American woman in space, and an inspiration to the world.
  Born in Karnal, India, she was the youngest of four children. 
Determined to achieve her dream of space flight, Kalpana was one of the 
first women ever to enroll in aeronautical engineering at India's 
Punjab Engineering College. Later she immigrated to the United States 
in the 1980's and was educated at the University of Texas and the 
University of Colorado.
  Dr. Chawla joined NASA in 1988 with her first flight into space in 
1997, as a mission specialist and prime robotic arm operator. She is 
symbolic of the growing importance of Indian-Americans to our nation's 
culture.
  I join with my fellow House India Caucus Co-Chair Joseph Crowley, in 
extending to her family our sincere condolences. The people of the 
United States owe Dr. Kalpana Chawla a debt of gratitude for her 
bravery and good work, and join with the people of India in mourning 
her loss.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on February 1, 2003, the space shuttle 
Columbia and its crew of seven were lost during Columbia's re-entry 
into the Earth's atmosphere. Like many Americans, I am deeply saddened 
by this national tragedy, and my prayers and condolences go out to the 
families of our fallen astronauts.
  The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been 
sending crews to space and the moon for over four decades, and space 
flight has long been accepted as ``routine.'' However, space 
exploration continues to be dangerous endeavor as there is risk 
associated with each space flight. The crew of the Columbia bravely 
accepted these dangers and faced them for the benefit of all.
  Since its creation in 1958, NASA has accomplished many great 
scientific and technological feats in air and space. As a nation, we 
can be inspired by the scientific advances accomplished through space 
exploration. Discoveries made through space research benefit both space 
science and the quality of our lives on Earth. Just a few examples 
include laser surgery, computer bar codes, smoke detectors, pacemakers, 
and water purification.
  These amazing developments could not have been accomplished without 
the brave men and women who perform experiments in space. Though this 
is a terrible tragedy, we must keep looking forward. NASA and space 
research will continue to better the everyday lives of people, and the 
dreams of present and future space explorers will lead to benefits for 
everyone on Earth.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, spaceship Shuttle Pilot Commander William 
McCool, 41, a beloved father, husband, son and brother was a man who 
most of the world could only aspire and dream to become. Commander 
McCool spent his life in the service of his country and in the service 
of humanity. He dedicated his life to not only his family but to his 
dream of one day becoming an astronaut. McCool was an experienced Navy 
pilot with more then 2,800 hours in flight. He graduated second in his 
1983 class at the Naval Academy, went on to test pilot school and 
became an astronaut in 1996. His excitement for space travel was 
solidified when on his first and last mission he exclaimed, ``there is 
so much more than what I ever expected, it's beyond imagination, until 
you actually get up and see it and experience it and feel it.''
  The tragic loss of the Columbia Space Shuttle crew and their 
sacrifices will never be forgotten, not by William McCool's family, the 
families of the other crew members, and not by his countrymen. They 
were as gracious, courteous and giving in the last weeks of their lives 
as they were in all the other weeks.
  William McCool will forever be remembered for his dedication and 
contributions to science. His adventurous and brave personality is what 
made this man into an American hero. The legacy of Commander McCool 
will vicariously live through the next generation of space explorers, 
for his bravery in the face of death will surely inspire others to pick 
up where he left off.
  We thank you William McCool for your dedication and love of country. 
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleagues in remembering 
the seven extraordinary men and women aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia 
who gave their lives for the pursuit of science and discovery, and in 
expressing my condolences to their families. Until the tragic events of 
last Saturday, shuttle flights for many had become routine events; 
however, each mission is a high-risk endeavor. We are fortunate to have 
an astronaut corps comprised of highly trained men and women who 
regularly bear this risk. Their strong passion for space exploration 
has immeasurably benefited our nation and the world. We will never 
forget the dedication and sacrifice of the crew of the Columbia.
  As a member of the Science Committee, I have followed the space 
program closely for many years. But its full impact was brought home 
for me and my constituents in April of 1996, when our hometown hero, 
Dr. Sandra Magnus, joined NASA. Sandy was born and raised in 
Belleville, Illinois where she attended Central Junior High School and 
Belleville West High School. I had the pleasure of accompanying the 
Administrator of NASA, Mr. Sean O'Keefe, to the Kennedy Space Center 
for Sandy's first launch on October 7, 2002. To witness a launch is to 
truly know that space flight is inherently dangerous. But it is also a 
vital part of the American spirit and the advancement of knowledge, and 
it is these elements that drive the men and women in the astronaut 
program to strive for the unknown. If we are to gain a greater 
understanding of our universe, we must continue the cause of the heroes 
we lost on Saturday and take every step we can to make future space 
travel as safe as possible.
  We come together today in a period of national and international 
mourning. Our prayers are dedicated to the heroic crew of Columbia and 
their families. Their names--mission commander Rick Husband, pilot 
William McCool, payload commander Michael Anderson, mission specialist 
David Brown, mission specialist Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist 
Laurel Blair Salton Clark, and payload specialist Ilan Ramon--will live 
forever in our hearts and minds as dedicated pioneers yearning to reach 
the stars and who never lost their sense of adventure. I again express 
my deepest condolences to the families of the crew of the Space Shuttle 
Columbia.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution 
before the House, which expresses the condolences of the House of 
Representatives to the families of the astronauts who were lost on the 
space shuttle Columbia. The crew of Columbia died doing something 
important. None of us will forget their courage, dedication and 
sacrifice and we stand with their families during this difficult time.
  In the wake of Saturday's tragedy, we're left with a lot of 
questions. How did this accident happen? What systems aboard the 
shuttle failed? Were there warning signs that Columbia would be in 
peril when it returned from

[[Page 2406]]

orbit? Can the remaining space shuttles be made safe? These questions, 
and many others, must be candidly answered before the space program can 
recover from this accident and move forward.
  The damage to our nation goes well beyond the loss of Columbia and 
seven extraordinary individuals, and it will not be repaired solely by 
technological fixes, such as stronger heat-resistant tiles or better 
insulation on the external fuel tank. I have a young friend named 
Patrick who was simply devastated when he heard the first news reports 
that Columbia had been lost with no survivors. Patrick is an eight-
year-old student in 3rd grade. Like the rest of us, he has many 
questions. He wanted to know why the astronauts had to die and why 
there was no way for them to escape from the shuttle when the problem 
became apparent.
  For young children, the space shuttle is much more than a way to 
launch people and material into orbit. The shuttle embodies a space 
program they admire and want to be a part of. Many children, like 
Patrick, are old enough to know about the 1986 Challenger accident, but 
had come to believe the problems had been fixed and that the shuttles 
were safe. When we lost Columbia and its crew on Saturday, we may have 
also lost a dream shared by many young people of one day growing up to 
be an astronaut. We need to find a way to repair this damage as well.
  All of us know that space flight is inherently risky. This is not a 
fact we should be comfortable in accepting. We need to spend the time, 
effort and resources to find ways to make space flight less risky. This 
is the most important task before us as we look to the future of the 
space program.
  I commend the Leadership on both sides of the aisle for sponsoring 
this resolution and urge its passage by the House of Representatives.
  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the crew of the 
Space Shuttle Columbia. To their families, I offer my heartfelt 
condolences. As a nation, we deeply mourn their loss.
  These seven brave men and women aboard the Columbia represented the 
best of our country, the community of nations, and of humanity. I have 
had the privilege of working with NASA scientists, engineers, and 
astronauts. To these dedicated men and women, their work is a mission, 
their colleagues are family. Working together across ethnic, religious, 
and geographical boundaries, they exemplified the synergism of 
teamwork, in which the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Just 
as they did so well, we must continue to display the courage to take on 
new challenges, seek answers to the mysteries of nature and the world 
around us, and we must do so together.
  Through their spaceflight, the Columbia crew inspired us to think, 
imagine, and dream beyond the world we can see. They bravely faced 
daunting challenges in order to reveal the wonders of science. Their 
lives were dedicated to scientific exploration and the betterment of 
humankind.
  They were truly pioneers, bridging the gap between the known and the 
unknown, venturing into the depths of space. As scientific voyagers, 
they expanded the boundaries of knowledge, enabling us to learn more 
about our universe and our own planet. Their quest to answer as yet 
unanswered questions embodied mankind's continual search for knowledge 
and truth.
  In honor of their memory and their legacy, we must carry on where 
they have left off. We must reaffirm our commitment as a nation to 
space exploration and scientific discovery. We must continue to fund 
our national space program, to explore our solar system and beyond. We 
must set ambitious and daring goals, such as landing man on Mars. We 
must, and we shall, continue the journey that the crew of the Columbia 
so bravely began.
  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the lives of the 
crew of the space shuttle Columbia.
  The loss of the space shuttle Columbia is a tragedy of tremendous 
proportion. The seven Columbia astronauts possessed an unquenchable 
passion to explore and push the boundaries of science and technology. 
Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, Rick 
Husband, William McCool and Ilan Ramon were not names familiar to most 
Americans until Saturday's catastrophe. But as the pain of the loss of 
these seven brave explorers ebbs with time, the resolve to keep their 
work ongoing must remain ever vigilant.
  I, like many Americans, remember huddling with classmates in 
excitement as Alan Shepard blasted off in the first American manned 
space flight in May 1961. Ever since then, I followed both the highs 
and lows of the space program.
  From the outset of our manned space program, it was known that lives 
could be lost exploring space--just as when man explored previous 
frontiers. Despite the recent tragedy, there are schoolchildren 
throughout the world that will be inspired by the Columbia seven.
  As the nation grieves over its terrible loss of this past Saturday, 
we must also strengthen our resolve to press forward. Those who died 
did so as heroes. We must not let them die in vain.
  I know all Americans share in the sadness brought about by this 
event. One measure of mankind is the amount of risk taken for the 
greater good. These astronauts are clearly heroes whose acts we will 
remember for all of history. My thoughts and prayers are with the crew 
of Columbia and their families.
  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Resolution honoring 
our fallen NASA heroes who perished last Saturday high above the 
southwestern skies of the United States. I was stunned and heart broken 
after hearing the news of this tragic event. My mind quickly thought 
back to the time of 10:44 AM, January 16th, when NASA's Columbia 
Shuttle Mission STS-107 launched into space from the Kennedy Space 
Center Pad 39A. I was fortunate enough to attend this event with NASA 
Administrator Sean O'Keefe, along with a number of students and 
teachers from Fowler High School in Syracuse, my hometown in New York. 
The Fowler students were there because they had spent three years 
researching and analyzing a science project that was carried aboard 
space shuttle Columbia.
  As I watched the liftoff, I couldn't help but think of the brave men 
and women aboard Columbia as pioneers who were furthering America's 
vision of discovery that started in 1958 with the creation of NASA. 
Actually, this vision started long before NASA and space travel. We are 
a nation of pioneers. NASA and its mission of human space flight and 
exploration seems to be a natural extension of the Lewis and Clark 
expeditions commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in the early 
1800s.
  Similar to Lewis and Clark's expedition, Columbia's mission was 
primarily scientific in nature, furthering mankind's understanding of 
our universe. I was very proud that my district's small corner of the 
world was part of historic science mission. On their 16-day journey, 
Columbia's international crew of seven worked 24-hour-a-day shifts to 
successfully complete all of the research projects in the space, life 
and physical sciences. The crew, all from diverse backgrounds--
including the first Israeli astronaut, was a true reflection of America 
at its best. They completed their work, did it well, and no doubt were 
looking forward to their return home to Cape Kennedy last Saturday.
  As our Nation and the world watched in horror, we saw Columbia 
literally explode before our eyes some 200,000 miles in the heavens 
above. The crew of Columbia and their families knew and accepted the 
risks associated with their work. They also realized they were 
representing something much greater than themselves. They were a 
shining symbol of America. They were explorers on a great new adventure 
to benefit mankind. For this I thank both the crew and their families.
  As we honor the crew, their families, and NASA itself, we will always 
hold the Columbia astronauts in a special place in our hearts. Their 
sacrifices were great. With the United States flag at half-staff across 
the Nation to honor the crew of Columbia, NASA and space exploration 
will move forward. We will find the problem that created the disaster, 
fix it, and move forward. They may well be the legacy left by Columbia; 
a better, safer shuttle for those who follow them. Somehow I think they 
would like that. God Bless the crew of Columbia, we're deeply proud and 
grateful for their contributions to both our country and the world 
community. They will not be forgotten.
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleagues in expressing 
my deepest condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of the 
seven crewmembers lost aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. The American 
people and the Untied States' space program have suffered a great loss 
in this tragedy.
  These explorers bravely undertook this journey, fulfilling a dream 
that many work a lifetime to achieve yet few accomplish. Columbia's 
crewmembers were pilots, physicians, soldiers, scientists, and 
patriots. Above all they were fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, and 
friends. It is my hope that this legacy will continue to encourage 
people around the globe to look beyond the confines of earth for new 
challenges and inspiration.
  There these heroes traveled so far and were so close to returning to 
their loved ones makes this loss even more upsetting. What had 
otherwise been a routine and successful mission turned tragic on 
Saturday morning, and I trust there will be a full investigation into 
this shocking accident to ensure that future shuttle missions do not 
meet the same fate.

[[Page 2407]]

  I join all Rhode Islanders in mourning the tragic loss of Shuttle 
Commander Rick D. Husband, Pilot William C. McCool, Payload Commander 
Michael P. Anderson, Mission Specialists David M. Brown, Kalpana Chawla 
and Laurel Clark and Israel's first astronaut, Ilan Ramon.
  My thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones as we remember 
their lives and honor their immense contributions to space exploration.
  Mr. CLAY. I rise today to pay tribute to a very brave and valiant 
pioneer, Astronaut Michael P. Anderson, one of seven courageous crew 
members who perished when the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated on 
February 1, 2003. Air Force Colonel Anderson was a Payload Commander 
aboard space shuttle Columbia which had just completed a 16 day 
scientific journey through space. Tragically, it broke apart just after 
re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere and only 15 minutes before its 
scheduled landing at [Kennedy] Space Center.
  The entire world was shocked to learn of this tragedy and the 
citizens of the St. Louis area were just as numbed to learn that 
Colonel Anderson was the nephew of one of its favorite sons. The 
reality of this devastation truly hit home and was even more heart 
wrenching when the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Dr. James 
DeClue, a friend, constituent and highly respected ophthalmologist, was 
among the many close relatives to suffer this tragic loss.
  Born on Christmas Day, 43-year-old Colonel Anderson considered 
Spokane, Washington his hometown. He earned a Bachelor of Science 
degree in physics/astronomy from the University of Washington in 1981. 
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force and spent 
four years flying for the strategic Air Command. He later earned a 
Master of Science degree in physics from Creighton University in 1990 
and was selected by NASA as an astronaut in 1994. As Payload Commander 
aboard Columbia, Colonel Anderson was responsible for the shuttle 
science mission.
  As the first African-American to visit a space station during a trip 
to the Russian Mir outpost, Colonel Anderson will serve as inspiration 
to minority youth everywhere. He bravely ignored the dangers associated 
with space travel and risked his life because he believed that what he 
was doing would have great consequences and benefit all mankind for 
generations to come. By all accounts he was a man of faith who believed 
that life was a gift and a blessing. Colonel Anderson fulfilled his 
life's mission on Earth as a scientist and explorer. He had logged more 
than 211 hours in space and will always be remember for his faith in 
the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my condolences to Colonel 
Anderson's family and let them know how very proud the St. Louis 
community is of his remarkable accomplishments. Colonel Anderson set 
lofty goals for himself and accomplished them. He will live forever in 
our memories. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Colonel 
Michael P. Anderson.
  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, our nation was 
unified in sorrow, as we suffered the shocking loss of seven courageous 
individuals aboard the space shuttle Columbia. Among the astronauts who 
gave their lives in service to our country and in pursuit of knowledge 
for the betterment of our world was Commander Laurel Clark of Racine, 
Wisconsin.
  Laurel Clark was an inspiration to the people she came in contact 
with and to many others who read or heard about her numerous 
achievements. She dared to dream great things and worked hard to make 
those dreams a reality. A graduate of Racine's Horlick High School as 
well as the University of Wisconsin, Doctor Clark is a fine example for 
our students of how much one dedicated person can accomplish when she 
sets her mind to it.
  Clark was a Commander in the U.S. Navy, a flight surgeon who was 
trained as an undersea medical officer and served with a submarine 
squadron in Scotland prior to becoming an astronaut. While her 
education and career achievements are unquestionably impressive, 
Clark's inquisitive mind, adventurous spirit and positive outlook are 
even more remarkable. The e-mail message that she sent to her mother 
the day before the Columbia was to return exemplifies this.
  She wrote of seeing ``some incredible sights: lightning spreading 
over the Pacific, the Aurora Australia lighting up the entire visible 
horizon with the cityglow of Australia below, the crescent moon setting 
over the limb of the Earth, the vast plains of Africa and the dunes on 
Cape Horn. . . '' among other spectacular sights. She reported flying 
over Lake Michigan and seeing Wind Point clearly. And Laurel Clark 
wrote: ``I feel blessed to be here representing our country and 
carrying out the research of scientists around the world.'' She add: 
``Thanks to many of you who have supported me and my adventures 
throughout the years. This was definitely one to beat all. I hope you 
could feel the positive energy that beamed to the whole planet as we 
glided over our shared planet.''
  Laurel Clark was not simply admired and respected; she was and is 
greatly loved. In addition to being a doctor, a scientist, and a 
pioneer, Laurel Clark was a beloved wife and mother, a sister, a 
dautghter, a niece and a friend. Our sympathy and prayers are with her 
family and those close to her. May God bless them and the families and 
friends of her fellow Columbia crew members.
  We honor the memory of these heroes, we pray they have found eternal 
joy and peace, and we take comfort in having been touched by their 
soaring spirits during their time on Earth.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on the morning of Saturday, 
February 1st, the men and women of Columbia Mission STS-107 were on 
their way home when they were suddenly and tragically taken from us. 
Today we offer the respect and gratitude of a grateful nation for their 
service and their sacrifice.
  Over the last few days our Nation has prayed for the family and 
friends of the lost and have learned of the lives of seven truly 
extraordinary individuals. Commander Rick Husband, Pilot William 
McCool, Payload Commander Michael Anderson, Mission Specialist David 
Brown, Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist Laurel 
Clark, and Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon understood the risk and were 
willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the advancement of humanity.
  The crew conducted more than 80 scientific experiments in the 
physical, life, and space sciences during their voyage. The objective 
of their mission was to help us solve problems here on Earth through 
experiments such as growing bone and prostate cancer tissue in search 
of new treatments; testing new techniques of encapsulating anti-cancer 
drugs to improve their efficiency; and examining the physics of 
combustion and fire quenching to gain insights into fire-suppression 
that cannot be obtained on Earth. Their mission is a reminder of the 
importance of our space program and the benefits that can be achieved 
through these efforts.
  Our search for understanding and our basic desire to reach into the 
darkness just beyond our grasp are both the hallmark and the calling of 
our humanity. As we take these moments to grieve for the lives lost and 
the families and friends left behind, we also stand here today resolved 
that space exploration and the cause of research and discovery must go 
on.
  Perhaps it is testimony to the greatness of our society when sending 
men and women into the heavens seemingly becomes commonplace--and 
perhaps it is regretful that many of us take notice only when a tragedy 
such as this occurs. Nevertheless, we were reminded on Saturday that 
all great endeavors involve great risk. We will go on and continue the 
work these seven astronauts began. They will go down in history as 
heroes who paid the ultimate price as pioneers in the frontier of space 
exploration. For their memories and in their names, we rededicate our 
efforts to unlock the mysteries of the heavens.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution 
mourning the loss of the seven astronauts aboard the space shuttle 
Columbia and expressing our deepest sympathies to the loved ones they 
left behind.
  For those of us on the ground, space shuttle flights sometimes almost 
seem routine. But to those brave few who actually achieve space flight, 
it is anything but ordinary--in its glories, in its possibilities, and 
in its risks.
  On Saturday we watched in horror as the Columbia came crashing down 
to earth. Our hearts and prayers go out to the friends and families of 
those on board.
  Seven courageous souls reaching for the stars were aboard. Israel 
lost a beloved son, and India a native daughter who first went out into 
the world and then dared to soar above it; those nations join us in our 
grief. All seven on board--Commander Rick Husband; Pilot William 
McCool; Mission Specialists Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana 
Chawla, and Laurel Clark; and Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon--were 
explorers, fliers, scientists, and heroes.
  Astronauts floating in space are almost always awestruck by the 
beauty of the earth shining before them and they often comment on how 
peaceful our planet looks from space. As they were returning home, 
filled with thoughts no doubt of the family and friends awaiting them, 
I hope such a vision comforted these seven brave souls.
  The 19th Psalm begins, ``The heavens declare the glory of God, and 
the sky above proclaims His handiwork.'' The crew of the Columbia 
reached upward to get a closer look at that handiwork, and though today 
we deeply

[[Page 2408]]

mourn their deaths, we also celebrate their lives.
  To the parents, husbands, wives, friends, and especially the children 
of those who were lost, our hearts and prayers are with you as we too 
mourn their loss.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my heartfelt sympathy 
to the families of the seven astronauts who lost their lives Saturday 
morning. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the crew and 
the communities that loved and supported them. This was a terrible 
tragedy that no family should ever have to endure.
  Commander Rick Husband, Pilot William McCool, Payload Commander 
Michael Anderson, Mission Specialist David Brown, Mission Specialist 
Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist Laurel Clark, and Payload Specialist 
Ilan Ramon gave their lives in the pursuit of knowledge. The seven 
brave men and women, who composed this crew rose to the top of their 
fields through hard work and determination. The international crew of 
the space shuttle Columbia was a group of men and women of 
extraordinary intelligence, brave hearts and dedication to one of the 
greatest endeavors that mankind has ever known.
  The crew was as diverse as America itself. The six Americans were 
joined by Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli to go into space. Together, 
regardless of race, religion or national origin, they worked to ensure 
the integrity of the mission and to conduct scientific experiments that 
someday might improve the lives of thousands. They accomplished the 
mission's goals in outstanding fashion.''
  I thank these remarkable individuals for their dedication. As a 
Member of Congress I will not rest until we know why this tragedy 
happened and I will do everything in my power to ensure that this does 
not happen again. In the wake of this horrific accident, as we search 
for the cause, we must not abandon our space program. It has brought so 
many wonderful innovations in technology and medicine. What we must do 
is find the root of the problem and provide the means to ensure that 
the Columbia and Challenger tragedies are never repeated.
  I call on the President and Congress to honor the memories of these 
heroes by ensuring that NASA has all the necessary resources to protect 
future astronauts from tragedy.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, on February 1, 2003, our nation was faced 
with a tragedy that occurred hundreds of miles above the earth but hit 
close to our homes and our hearts. The mission of the space shuttle 
Columbia came to an unexpected end in the midst of the Texas skies 
sixteen minutes away from its destination.
  My heart and the hearts of all Americans go out to the families of 
the seven honorable and courageous astronauts on board. These men and 
women were heroes fulfilling their goals and dreams in the space 
program.
  Sadly, this tragedy happened almost exactly seventeen years after the 
January 28, 1986, loss of the seven heroes of the Challenger mission. 
During their mission, astronauts on the Columbia took time to honor 
their fallen comrades from both the Challenger and Apollo missions. As 
a nation mourns, the memories of all three tragic events will be 
remembered with mixed feelings, for the lives lost and for the missions 
they were set forth to accomplish.
  The Columbia mission was assisted by the Lyndon B. Johnson Space 
Center located in the state of Texas. The primary responsibility of the 
center is for the designing and developing of space shuttles used for 
human journey into space as well as training them and participating in 
programs devoted to medical and engineering experiments. We in Texas 
are proud to be the home of this integral part of the space program. I 
commend them in every effort and share their deep sorrow for this 
tragic loss.
  I would like to extend my appreciation and that of a grateful nation 
to those who assisted in the search for debris. Their ranks include 
volunteers, fire fighters, and National Guard members. Among those 
working are local East Texas residents who have taken the time to aid 
their country by collecting the remnants of Columbia and protecting the 
locations of debris. These volunteers have helped authorities document 
the information from this tragic event. The combined efforts of the 
volunteers represent the caring, giving spirit of Americans.
  The space shuttle symbolizes the hope for our global future, to reach 
out as one world into the stars. On Columbia, the United States was not 
the only country represented. Astronaut Kalpana Chawla was the first 
Indian-born woman to enter space. Her native India and her adopted 
United States will always remember her efforts and accomplishments. 
Ilan Ramon, a distinguished colonel in the Israeli Air Force made 
history as the first Israeli astronaut to ever venture the realms 
beyond Earth. Israel's pioneer into space was lost, but his spirit of 
exploration and international cooperation will live on.
  Space exploration has been an important part of the technological 
advancements achieved during this last century. As we embark upon a new 
one, the need to explore the unknown and venture beyond remains 
compelling. The families of the Columbia astronauts have made bold 
statements on behalf of their loved ones urging us to keep their dreams 
alive, ``Their hearts were full of enthusiasm, pride in country, faith 
in their God, and a willingness to accept the risk in pursuit of 
knowledge. Knowledge that might improve the quality of life for all 
mankind.'' This knowledge that we grasp and the essence to know more 
has kept our nation's space exploration program alive as it will 
continue to do so for the sake of our children. We best honor these 
fallen heroes by continuing their work, building a more robust space 
program for the future.
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the House 
resolution honoring the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia and 
expressing our condolences to the families of those heroes on STS-107. 
I also rise in support of our national space program, to which the 
Columbia crew dedicated their lives.
  Shuttle flight seems like almost a routine event. Another space 
shuttle leaves Cape Canaveral to conduct experiments, launch 
satellites, or link up with the International Space Station. Sometimes, 
a shuttle launch isn't even deemed newsworthy. As a result, many had 
begun to forget the tremendous contributions to science and peace that 
result from the shuttle program. Many also had forgotten that these 
missions were fraught with danger. But every shuttle launch is 
dangerous, not because of a lack of skill or dedication in NASA, but 
because of the nature of the mission--taking fragile people and 
machines through the atmosphere and into the unforgiving environment of 
space.
  The world received a tragic reminder of the danger of space travel 
when we lost the Columbia on Saturday morning. It was a mission that 
reflected the best values of the space program. The crew of STS-107 
included the first Israeli astronaut, Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon, 
and Indian-born Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla. The other crew 
members were Commander Rick D. Husband, Pilot William C. McCool, 
Mission Specialist David M. Brown, Mission Specialist Michael P. 
Anderson, and Mission Specialist Laura B. Clark. My sympathies go out 
to the families of these heroes and also to the people of Israel and 
India.
  Columbia was the first Shuttle flown in April 1981. In its 28th and 
final mission, Columbia conducted important experiments to benefit life 
sciences and microgravity research.
  NASA has now appointed both internal and external boards to 
investigate the accident. The House Science Committee will also 
initiate an investigation as it did after the loss of the Challenger in 
1986. Of course, it is too early to determine the cause of the 
accident. However, I urge that the investigators be given all the 
resources necessary to find that cause and be given the authority to 
made specific recommendations to avoid similar tragedies in the future. 
These changes must be completed as soon as possible to avoid 
unnecessary delays that could set back the progress and security that 
comes from our manned space flight program. For the crew of Columbia 
and their families, I cannot reiterate enough the profound grief we all 
share. My sympathy and prayers are with them all.
  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers go out to the 
families and friends of the seven men and women of space shuttle 
Columbia. All seven astronauts were talented and dedicated.
  Columbia was commanded by Commander Rick Husband, 45, an Air Force 
colonel from Amarillo, Texas. Pilot William McCool, 41, was a Navy 
commander from Lubbock, Texas. Payload commander Michael Anderson, 43, 
was an Air Force lieutenant colonel. Mission specialist David M. Brown, 
46, was a Navy captain, pilot and doctor. Mission specialist Laurel 
Blair Salton Clark, 41, was a Navy diving medical officer aboard 
submarines, then a flight surgeon who became an astronaut in 1996.
  Payload specialist Ilan Ramon, 48, a colonel in Israel's air force 
whose mother and grandmother survived the Auschwitz death camp, marked 
the first Israeli citizen in space. Kalpana Chawla, 41, emigrated to 
the United States from India in the 1980s and became an astronaut in 
1994. It was her second flight.
  Many of the lost astronauts have children. All were loved. They are 
heroes and they will be missed.
  May God care for our fallen heroes and their families and friends.

[[Page 2409]]


  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution expressing condolences to the families of the crew of the 
space shuttle Columbia.
  The loss of space shuttle Columbia is felt deeply across the nation 
and the globe, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of 
the astronauts. These shuttle missions have become so routine that many 
take them for granted, but these astronauts are truly pioneering 
American heroes, pushing the envelope in the pursuit of science. 
America and my constituents in North Carolina continue to support NASA 
and its mission to explore the universe to expand human knowledge about 
God's creation.
  As a member of the House Science Committee overseeing NASA I am 
confident that we will get to the bottom of this tragedy and that 
Americans will continue to reach for the stars.
  Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, among the many tributes to the brave men and 
women aboard the space shuttle Columbia, let me add my condolences to 
each of the families that suffered a loss in this tragedy. These seven 
individuals devoted their lives to advancing our dreams of space 
exploration. In their hometowns, in our schools and communities, as 
well as in space, they worked to enhance our appreciation for their 
mission. They took time to educate everyone from the youngest aspiring 
astronauts to those of us who simply marveled at their achievements.
  In particular, Michael P. Anderson affected the constituents of 
Nebraska's second Congressional District. Michael was born in 
Plattsburg, NY, but was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska 
from 1986 to 1990. At Offutt, Michael flew EC-135s, or Looking Glass, 
missions. By 1990 he had earned his master's degree in physics from 
Creighton University in Omaha. Then in 1994, Michael was selected to 
join NASA as a future astronaut. In 1998, on his first mission to 
space, he became the first African-American to visit a space station. 
Even though he logged over 211 hours of space flight time, Michael 
never forgot his time in Nebraska.
  Michael's friends and former professors at Creighton frequently 
corresponded with him via email, even when he was in space. His 
continued relationship with the university provided unique 
opportunities to students and faculty. Michael's determination to 
inspire young people was evident in his visits to schools not just in 
the district I represent, but in communities across the country. His 
lessons still resonate with the students of Jesuit Middle School he 
visited in 1998. Before making his visit, Michael stepped into his NASA 
uniform and just as easily stepped into the role of hero to his young 
audience.
  Michael, as well as the other six astronauts aboard the Columbia, 
left a legacy of proud service. They were all active in their 
communities and all of them touched many lives. We will miss them, in 
Nebraska and around the world, and we will not forget their inspiring 
influence.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, the seven astronauts who perished last 
Saturday on the space shuttle Columbia are heroes who gave their lives 
serving our Nation and mankind. Their loss has been felt deeply not 
only across America, but in Israel, India, and elsewhere around the 
world.
  The Panhandle and South Plains of Texas have been particularly hard 
hit by this tragedy because two of the astronauts came from our part of 
the State. Columbia Commander Rick Husband was born and raised in 
Amarillo. He grew up wanting to be an astronaut and earned his pilot's 
license at the age of 17. He attended Amarillo High School and 
graduated from Texas Tech University. Rick and his wife Evelyn were 
married in Amarillo.
  Columbia pilot Willie McCool graduated from Coronado High School just 
down the road in Lubbock. There he earned the nickname ``Cool Willie'' 
and made his mark in the classroom. He also made his mark as a member 
of the track and cross country teams and as an area runner. In 1978, he 
won a road race in the Lubbock area. Among those competing that day was 
a local resident by the name of George W. Bush.
  The Panhandle and South Plains of Texas join the Nation and the world 
in mourning the loss of the seven astronauts of Columbia. We pray for 
their families. We honor their courage, their enthusiasm for the 
mission, and their determination to advance the frontiers of knowledge. 
And of course, we will always be proud of Rich Husband and Willie 
McCool. They are not only heroes for the ages, they are also--and 
forever will be--heroes of our own.
  Mr. Speaker, at this point I would like to formally submit for the 
Record an editorial from the Amarillo Globe News, which explains in 
greater depth how our area feels at this time.

              [From the Amarillo Globe News, Feb. 4, 2003]

              Editorial: Husband's Roots a Source of Pride


                     Amarillo should honor its own

       Rick Husband never forgot where he came from.
       In many ways, he was the perfect example of Amarillo--
     humble, friendly, dedicated, faithful and committed to 
     achieving his dreams.
       These qualities are found in abundance in Amarillo and the 
     Panhandle, an area known for its wide expanses and 
     breathtaking sky but also cherished for the people that truly 
     make the Golden Spread golden.
       Col. Husband epitomized these characteristics.
       Even those who didn't know him personally felt as if they 
     had a connection.
       He was raised here, went to school here and worshiped here.
       And though his aspirations took Rick Husband far away, even 
     to the far reaches of space, he remained, indeed, one of us.
       This is what made Saturday's tragedy so horrific, so 
     painful and so unbelievable.
       When the space shuttle Columbia came crashing down in 
     pieces, it seemed as if Amarillo lost a piece of itself.
       As the plans to memorialize one of Amarillo's greatest sons 
     begin, this is what needs to be remembered about Col. 
     Husband, not only out of respect and remembrance, but also 
     for the benefit of future generations.
       The community has a difficult task in trying to capture the 
     legacy of Rick Husband.
       While there are many possibilities, Rick Husband was first 
     and foremost an individual willing to assume the sacrifice 
     and risk of his dream to become an astronaut.
       It seems only fitting that a statue of Rick Husband, 
     proudly clad in the uniform he earned, be a strong 
     consideration. In turn, this statue should be prominently 
     displayed, perhaps near City Hall.
       Col. Husband was proud of his hometown, and a state highway 
     road sign signifying Amarillo as the home of Rick Husband, 
     Columbia commander, also should be a possibility.
       There are many ways Amarillo can honor Col. Husband's 
     memory.
       What should be remembered is that no matter how far he 
     went, even to places where few have gone before, Rick Husband 
     stayed true to the values and beliefs of home.
       Amarillo should be proud.
  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, people in Georgia's Second 
District tell me they felt a deep personal loss when they learned about 
the fate of Columbia and her crew of seven. From what I've read and 
observed on television, this is the way people felt throughout the 
country and around the world--not only in India and Israel where two of 
the crew members were from, but also in places that have no direct 
connection with the international space program.
  People, everywhere, felt as if they had lost members of their own 
family.
  And, of course, we did.
  Although those of us who serve together in Congress may not always 
want to claim each other as relatives, we are, in fact, all part of one 
family--as American citizens . . . and as children of God.
  The Columbia was on a scientific mission.
  The magnificent men and women who flew in her risked their lives to 
explore the unknown and expand the boundaries of understanding.
  Their cause was the cause of humanity.
  As we mourn their loss, let us pledge to keep their cause alive.
  Mr. HOBSON, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution to 
express my sincere condolences to the families of the crew members of 
the Space Shuttle Columbia.
  It is with great sorrow that the U.S. House of Representatives is 
considering this resolution. It is rare that the United States, as a 
whole, experiences such a sense of loss, and I have not personally 
known it since the events of September 11. There is not one American 
who has not been affected by this sad and terrible accident. This 
tragic loss does not, however, end with the United States. With a 
diverse crew aboard the shuttle, this loss is truly being felt around 
the world.
  Last Saturday morning as I began my day as routine as anyone else in 
America, seven brave astronauts began their triumphant return home from 
space. Their mission had been one of scientific research and 
experimentation, and had been highly successful. So many missions 
before them had ventured into the great mystery known as space, and 
helped put the United States at the cutting edge of space exploration. 
Most have returned to us safely. In the coming weeks, NASA and a team 
of investigators will determine exactly what happened last Saturday 
morning, and why Columbia did not return safely.
  We will go back to space. Every time a shuttle mission launches into 
space, everyone aboard the orbiter knows they are putting themselves 
into harms way, and have chosen one of the most dangerous professions 
known. While we have been visiting space for several decades, and 
safety has always been our number one priority, each astronaut knows

[[Page 2410]]

the dangers associated. It is now time to reassess our safety measures, 
insure that never happens again, and press forward with our manned 
space flight program as those seven brave souls would want us to do.
  This tragedy has so profoundly impacted our public consciousness 
because space travel resonates with the human desire to move forward 
and to learn more about our existence and our place in the universe. 
The men and women of the space shuttle Columbia were pioneers just like 
the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Wright Brothers, the 
expedition to the North and South Poles, the Apollo Moon landings and 
other great exploits in human exploration and discovery.
  We will always mourn the loss of the crew of the shuttle Columbia but 
we will never give up our quest for knowledge.
  Mr. Speaker, I join today with my colleagues, the families and 
friends of all those in the NASA family, and people across the globe in 
support of this resolution.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor 
today to honor the men and women tragically lost on the space shuttle 
Columbia.
  These seven astronauts represent the very principles--honor, bravery 
and dedication--that Americans have looked up to since the beginning of 
space travel. These heroes are the epitome of what every child in 
modern times aspires to be. Exploring the last undiscovered frontier is 
one achievement that only few have done, but all have eagerly sought to 
do.
  While America will mourn the loss of these brave heroes for years to 
come, let us never forget the importance of space travel. Like 
explorers from Columbus to Amelia Earheart, the crew of the space 
shuttle Columbia reached frontiers that are only a dream to most of us. 
In doing so, they have provided mankind with a better understanding of 
a world we have only begun to discover.
  These young men and women leave behind families that have been 
equally dedicated to the goals of this crew and the future of space 
travel. I extend my deepest gratitude to these families for the 
sacrifices they have made in order to help this crew achieve their 
dreams of space travel.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the seven members of the 
space shuttle Columbia crew who have brought the heroic bravery of past 
explorers to the horizons of future frontiers.
  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in grief and 
gratitude to remember the seven brave men and women who perished in the 
February 1st disaster of the space shuttle Columbia. In the words of 
the President from the memorial service on February 4, ``We remember 
not only one moment of tragedy, but seven lives of great purpose and 
achievement.'' Commander Rick D. Husband, pilot William C. McCool, 
payload commander Michael P. Anderson, payload specialist Ilan Ramon, 
mission specialist David M. Brown, mission specialist Kalpana Chawla, 
and mission specialist Laurel Clark now take their places in our 
collective memory, alongside the seven astronauts lost in the 1986 
Challenger disaster.
  The President, NASA, the House Science Committee and the Senate 
Science Committee have each begun their investigations. What we learn 
from these inquiries will enable us to improve our international space 
program for the betterment of mankind.
  My heart goes out to the families who have just lost their loved ones 
who gave themselves to the greater service of mankind. While the world 
mourns the loss of the Columbia crew, my community joins the extending 
condolences to the family of Commander Laurel Clark, whose sister lives 
in Kansas City. Laurel's sister, Lynne Salton, joined the observers for 
the launch of Columbia on January 16th and was anxiously awaiting her 
older sister's return on Saturday. We cannot know the magnitude of the 
loss they feel.
  In memory of their bravery I wish to share a poem by John Gillespie 
Magee, Jr., entitled ``High Flight''. It was quoted at the memorial 
service for the 1986 Challenger disaster, and is etched on the memorial 
plaque at Challenger Memorial Park in Clear Lake, Texas.

     Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
     And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
     Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
     Of sun-split clouds,--and done a hundred things
     You have not dreamed of--wheeled and soared and swung
     High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
     I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
     My eager craft through footless halls of air . . . .

     Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
     I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
     Where never lark, or ever eagle flew--
     And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
     The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
     Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

  Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in honoring the memory of the seven 
brave souls who were aboard the illfated space shuttle, Columbia, and 
who will now dance above us in the ether.
  Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join with my colleagues in paying 
tribute to the five brave men and two brave women of the space shuttle 
Columbia, whose lives were tragically lost Saturday morning:
  Col. Rick Husband, a husband and father, faithful member of his 
church's choir, and an astronaut.
  Kalpana Chawla, Ph.D., born in India and emigrated to the United 
States. She loved both her countries, and she was an astronaut.
  Commander William McCool, a husband and father, recipient of multiple 
Navy medals, and an astronaut.
  Captain David Brown, a physician and humanitarian, and an astronaut.
  Commander Laurel Clark, a wife and mother, recipient of numerous Navy 
medals, and an astronaut.
  Lt. Col. Michael Anderson, a husband and father, recipient of 
multiple Air Force medals, a Sunday school teacher, and an astronaut.
  Col. Ilan Roman, a husband and father, a hero to his people in 
Israel, and an astronaut. He is said to have carried with him on 
Columbia's fateful flight a small Torah scroll used at a bar mitzvah in 
a Nazi concentration camp.
  Not just their families, but their Nations--and the world--mourn the 
passing of these seven individuals because of what they represent, the 
very best in humanity: bravery, a pioneering spirit, the desire to 
learn, and the peaceful advancement of mankind.
  We will forever remember and always be grateful for the heroic 
sacrifices made by these courageous souls, along with their families, 
on behalf of all humanity.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I join people from around the world in 
paying tribute to the men and women of the space shuttle Columbia who 
were lost on Saturday, February 1st. I offer my deepest condolences to 
their families and loved ones. On that sad day, the United States, the 
State of Israel and India lost seven brave visionaries. But during 
their time on our planet, those heroes were living their dreams of 
reaching out for the stars. They risked their lives for the sake of 
improving the lives of all humanity.
  To truly honor the legacy of these fallen heroes and their 
accomplishments, the United States must remain committed to lead the 
world in space exploration. These courageous individuals were well 
aware of the risks involved with space travel, but that did not deter 
them from pursuing their goals. We have experienced tragedy in this 
arena before, but we have never forgotten the spirit of those lost. It 
is unfortunate that tragedy has struck again but we must learn from the 
past and carry on. The United States must continue to improve and stay 
dedicated to its space program.
  The crew of the Columbia represented so many different parts of our 
world. There was Mission Commander Colonel Rick Husband, a NASA veteran 
since 1994. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Anderson, the Payload Commander, 
had logged more than 211 hours in space. Dr. Kalpana Chawla emigrated 
to the United States from India and was the first Indian woman to 
travel to space. Payload Specialist Colonel Ilan Ramon was Israel's 
first ever astronaut. Pilot William McCool, Mission Specialist Dr. 
David M. Brown, and Mission Specialist Dr. Laurel Blair Salton Clark 
were all making their first ever space flight. All will be remembered 
as patriots who sacrificed their lives for the greater good.
  When we peer into the night sky and observe the stars shining above, 
let us never forget all those that strived to reach them. We thank them 
for their sacrifice in the name of discovery for humankind.
  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the lives of 
the seven astronauts who perished on Saturday as they returned from 
space aboard the space shuttle Columbia: Commander Rick D. Husband, 
Pilot William C. McCool, Payload Commander Michael P. Anderson, Mission 
Specialist Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist David M. Brown, Mission 
Specialist Laurel B. Clark, and Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon. These 
brave people risked their lives to further mankind's understanding of 
science, medicine, and the universe in which we live.
  While we send our condolences to their family, friends, and co-
workers, we remember that these individuals died while living out a 
dream. We cannot forget or neglect this dream. It is our obligation to 
continue this legacy.
  Our hearts go out to the families of these courageous individuals. We 
will never forget them nor their quest to advance mankind.

[[Page 2411]]


  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the loss of the 
brave and dedicated seven-member crew of the space shuttle Columbia. 
This tragic event has left an indelible mark on all Americans. Columbia 
was the first operational shuttle built for NASA. It was used for the 
very first shuttle flight on April 12, 1981. We mourn Commander Rick 
Husband, Pilot William ``Willie'' McCool, Payload Commander Michael P. 
Anderson, Mission Specialist David M. Brown, Mission Specialist Kalpana 
Chawla, Mission Specialist Laurel Blair Salton Clark, and Israeli 
Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon. Columbia's seven-member crew represented 
America's best as well as a growing international partnership in 
meeting this important challenge of the future.
  From John Glenn's first orbit of the Earth, to the Apollo Eleven's 
landing on the moon, and now the final stages of completion of the 
first international space station, the United States has been and will 
continue to be the world's leader in space exploration. As the nation 
mourns and NASA begins its investigation to determine the cause of this 
tragic event, I believe the people of Delaware and the nation remain 
strongly committed to the U.S. space program.
  Delaware has strong ties to the US space program. ILC Dover Inc., a 
company based in Frederica, Delaware, has made space suits for NASA 
since the days of the Apollo program and Neil Armstrong's first steps 
on the moon. Its workers made parts of two spacesuits onboard during 
Columbia's mission. These suits would have been worn during any space 
walk portion of the mission. ILC Dover is now in the process of 
constructing impact bag systems that will be used on probes scheduled 
to fly to Mars this summer. All the employees of ILC Dover, Inc. work 
with heavy hearts these days as they remember loss of the crew they 
have worked all these years to protect.
  Delawareans enthusiasm for the space program is evident in their 
desire to educate their children about our space program. This past 
year, I was very pleased to visit the future campus of the Delaware 
Aerospace Education Foundation's Innovation, Technology and Exploration 
Center. This $25 million facility will have its ground breaking this 
Spring in Smyrna, Delaware. It will feature 40,000 square feet of an 
interactive museum, planetarium, and theater. Through the leadership of 
Dr. Stephanie Wright, the foundation sponsors numerous programs that 
promote math, science, and technology education through youth 
academies, presentations, symposiums, events, and professional 
development for teachers. I hope the new Aerospace Education Center 
will work to honor the sacrifices made by the Columbia crew through 
their upcoming programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I salute the crew and supporting members of this 
Columbia mission. Americans understand the excitement and risks that 
come with the important job that NASA undertakes everyday. It is this 
bold and courageous effort that demonstrates America's commitment to 
leading the world in the future of space exploration. Although I am 
saddened by our nation's tragic loss, I am very proud to be an American 
and will continue to work for an effective space program to benefits 
NASA's mission in Delaware, the nation, and the world and beyond.
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, exploring the unknown has 
always been perilous. Magallan died in the Philippines defending his 
men as they were circumnavigating the globe. Lewis and Clark faced 
numerous dangers as they were exploring the bounds of the American 
frontier. There is no longer any terra incognita, so man's curiosity 
has led him to explore space. We are still literally light years away 
from exploring what our grandchildren will one day be familiar with. As 
we embark on our quest to find out what our galaxy holds, we have 
almost forgotten that it takes a great deal of bravery to strike out 
into the unknown, and that it is not without great risk.
  On February 1 we were reminded of the danger that we had almost 
forgotten. Among the seven crewmembers was Dr. Kalpana Chawla. Dr. 
Chawla grew up in an impoverished small town in India where women are 
not expected to get an education, much less float in the weightlessness 
of space. Nevertheless, she persevered, and is an inspiration to anyone 
in grinding poverty whose dreams may be laughed at. Pilot Willie McCool 
was the son of a Vietnam veteran who finished second in his Naval 
Academy class, evidence that we are sending the best and brightest out 
on these dangerous missions so they may accomplish these important 
objectives. Navy Captain David M. Brown was a gymnast at the College of 
William and Mary, and when he addressed the campus in September he 
noted that what he was doing was similar to what the College's founders 
did when they came over from England, and that they faced similar 
risks. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael P. Anderson watched Neil 
Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the historic Apollo 11 flight in 1969, and 
the excitement never left him. He served as an inspiration to minority 
children across the United States as he was one of the first African-
Americans to join NASA in 1994. The shuttle's commander, Rick D. 
Husband, was a model of perseverance. He tried and failed three times 
to get into NASA, but he never gave up hope that one day he too could 
soar into the cosmos, and on the fourth try was accepted. He was a 
talented pilot who had been able to fly since the age of 18. Navy 
Commander Laurel Blair Salton Clark was no stranger to the dangers of 
the unknown; she had conducted medical evacuations from submarines 
before joining NASA.
  Finally, there was Illan Ramon. He was the son of a Holocaust 
survivor and had fought in the Yom Kippur War and the Iraeli-Lebanese 
conflict, so his bravery was proven well before that fateful Saturday 
morning. he was an Israeli Air Force pilot who served as an inspiration 
to his country, which is in a time of turmoil, doubt and suffering. He 
showed us all that space does not belong to America, but that it is for 
all of mankind to experience, regardless of nationality or religion.
  Columbia's name comes from Christopher Columbus. He too faced the 
dangers of hurtling into the unknown, yet without him America would not 
be what it is today. We were the first nation to put men on the moon 
because we are instilled with Columbus's spirit of wonder, curiosity, 
and adventure. We want to learn and explore, know everything there is 
to be known and then share it with the world. This is why we have NASA, 
why we have space shuttles, and, regrettably, why these seven souls 
lost their lives over Texas that blue morning.
  For their service and dedication to this vision, I thank them on 
behalf of my constituents and my children. Their lives will be filled 
with inspiration and wonder thanks to these brave heroes' dedication 
and commitment to the noble enterprise of scientific discovery.
  Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I humbly rise in support of H. Res. 51. I want 
to thank the Majority and Minority Leaders for bringing this resolution 
to the House floor on a completely united basis.
  Mr. Speaker, what happened on the morning of February 1st was truly a 
world tragedy. The crew of the space shuttle Columbia, returning from a 
productive sixteen day scientific mission to the International Space 
Station, was lost over Texas. My heart goes out to the families of 
Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, Rick 
Husband, William McCool, and Ilan Ramon, the heroic crew now known as 
the Columbia 7.
  On Saturday, we were all again reminded of the dangers of space 
exploration. Many Americans, my self included, vividly remember January 
28, 1986, when the space shuttle Challenger was lost a minute and 
thirteen seconds into its launch. That tragedy, as well as Saturday's, 
shocked our nation and focused national attention on the space program 
and the courageous men and women who risk their lives in the name of 
science and exploration. The heroic crew of the Columbia was composed 
of seven of our best and brightest men and women, who reflected the 
diversity of our nation and world and embodied a new spirit of 
international cooperation.
  The Columbia tragedy was especially trying and painful for my home 
state, for one of our heroes met the same fate in the 1986 Challenger 
tragedy. Lt. Col. Ellison Onizuka was from my home island, the Big 
Island of Hawaii.
  Lt. Col. Onizuka was the ultimate local boy made good and the first 
Japanese-American to fly into space. Like those on the Columbia 7, he 
was a strong advocate for exploration, education and adventure. He once 
said, ``From your vantage point, your education and imagination will 
carry you to places which we won't believe possible . . . Think of the 
new horizons you can explore.''
  He knew the risks, that there was a significant chance that something 
could go wrong on a space mission. But he was a dreamer, just like all 
heroes and leaders. In reinforcing his strong support for man's 
commitment to exploring new boundaries, he said: ``Make your life count 
. . . and your world will be a better place because you tried . . . 
Every generation has the obligation to free men's minds for a look at 
new worlds . . . to look out from a higher plateau than the last 
generation.''
  Ellison's words still ring true today, and his actions embody the 
spirit of space exploration and scientific experimentation. He 
certainly would have said, notwithstanding the loss of the Columbia, 
that we must go on.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in extending my 
condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the seven 
Columbia crew members.
  Many of us watched with awe and pride as the Space Shuttle Columbia 
lifted off on its

[[Page 2412]]

first mission on April 12, 1981. It made history as the first shuttle 
to orbit earth, a tangible expression of human aspiration.
  The destruction of the Columbia is a tragedy for our country, for the 
families of the lost astronauts and for the nation of Israel. These 
brave men and women deserve our admiration and respect and their 
families deserve our love and support.
  Forty years after President Kennedy challenged Americans to reach the 
moon, this disaster is a sober reminder that space travel remains a 
daring and dangerous endeavor. The Columbia crew willingly braved those 
dangers to help improve the lives of all mankind.
  As we celebrate their courageous spirit and mourn their death, we 
must dedicate ourselves to conducting a complete and thorough 
investigation of what went terribly wrong at the outer ring of the 
Earth's atmosphere, forty miles above Texas. Our history, our thirst 
for knowledge and our curiosity about what lies beyond demands that we 
learn from this tragedy and ensure the safety of future missions.
  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the lives of the seven 
astronauts onboard the Space Shuttle Columbia Mission STS-107. The 
group of brave men and women can never be replaced. They were truly 
among the best and the brightest, and America--as well as the entire 
world--has suffered a tremendous loss.
  However, in the midst of our grief, we must use their sacrifice as 
inspiration to continue our efforts to explore space. As we've heard 
through their families and friends, the Columbia crew would have wanted 
their colleagues to continue in their footsteps.
  Harry Truman once said, ``Men make history and not the other way 
around . . . Progress occurs when courageous, skillfull leaders seize 
the opportunity to change things for the better.'' These great leaders 
on the Space Shuttle Columbia sought to change things for the better, 
and would want future generations to continue to reach for those same 
goals.
  Space exploration is not only a critical part of our heritage, but it 
is vital to the future of our nation. It increases our understanding of 
the world that we live in and the Universe around us. The extreme 
conditions that can only be found in space provide us with a unique 
research laboratory that we could never recreate on Earth. Our nation 
has established itself as the leader in space exploration, which 
contributes greatly to the American spirit. Space exploration inspires 
our youth and leads to a more scientifically literate society.
  The astronauts onboard the Shuttle Columbia believed all of these 
same things, which is why they declared--and sacrified--their lives for 
their mission of scientific discovery. I'd share to share with you 
something Gus Grisson, who lost his life to a fire on Apollo 1 in 1967, 
once said: ``If we die, we want people to accept it. We're in a risky 
business, and we hope that if anything happens to us it will not delay 
the program. The The conquest of space is worth the risk of life.''
  While the crew of Apollo 1 had different missions, the goal of space 
exploration remains the same. Judging by the lives the Columbia crew 
members led and their dedication to space exploration, I believe they 
lived by these same words. These astronauts knew and accepted the risks 
of space travel, and gave their lives performing a research mission 
with the purpose of improving our lives back here on Earth.
  We must press on and continue the mission they began. While we grieve 
today, we soon must focus on the astronauts that have been onboard the 
International Space Station since November and the astronauts who will 
continue to explore in space. They must know that we are dedicated to 
doing our best to provide for their safety. For the health of our 
nation and for the future generations that will no doubt benefit from 
the research conducted in space, we must continue with their missions.
  Mr. Speaker, we must demand that these astronauts did not die in 
vain, instead we should cherish and learn from their sacrifice to 
ensure the safety and success of future missions.
  I'd like to close with a quote by Dr. Laurel Clark. One experiment 
she was working on during orbit was to study a silkworm cocoon 
hatching. When we saw the moth, Dr. Clark remarked, ``There was a moth 
in there, and it still had its winges crumpled up, and it was just 
starting to pump its wings up. Life continues in lots of places, and 
life is a magical thing.''
  I think we can learn from Dr. Clark's faith in life and trust that 
the lives of these seven men and women will continue in some other 
places, just as she witnessed a moth's life continue in space.
  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in 
honoring the brave men and women of the Space Shuttle Columbia, in 
celebrating their lives and marveling at their achievements; in 
mourning their passing and extending whatever solace and comfort we can 
to their families and loved ones.
  Space travel is important to our country, but it is particularly 
important to my State of Florida. All Floridians take pride in Cape 
Canaveral. Thousands of Floridians are part of the team that puts the 
shuttle together, loads up its space cargo and launches it into space.
  Everyone who has ever seen a shuttle launch goes away feeling 
differently; about our country, certainly, but also about the nature of 
human beings on this Earth. For we are a curious species.
  Our entire history, in countless tales that preceded Jason and the 
Argonauts, and in countless voyages that followed the voyage of 
Columbus, is a long, long saga of people trying to go places no one has 
ever been; seeing things no one has ever seen; and learning things that 
no one has ever known. And this is the type of people that the men and 
women of the Columbia were.
  As is so often the case in life, we have learned more about them 
after their deaths than we knew when they were living. But what we have 
learned is that they were truly remarkable people--people with dreams 
who worked hard, studied hard, exercised discipline, raised their 
families, served their communities and their country. Each of these 
astronauts would be a fine role model for our sons and daughters.
  Our hearts and prayers go out to their families. I hope they can take 
some comfort in knowing how much their strength and the lives of their 
loved ones have touched so many they have never met.
  In the words of Abraham Lincoln, speaking about another great 
national tragedy at the Battle of Gettysburg, ``It is for us the 
living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they  
. . .  have thus far so nobly advanced.''
  Mr. Speaker, almost 100 years ago, Orville Wright took off from a 
launching rail in North Carolina and flew for 12 seconds and a distance 
of 120 feet. Space shuttle Columbia took off from Florida and flew for 
16 days at a distance of 6.6 million miles. Because of the special 
people that these astronauts were, I marvel to think about how long and 
how far our great, great grandchildren will fly 100 years from today.
  Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, Saturday's tragedy was both unexpected and 
shocking. It evoked memories of an earlier American tragedy, the 1986 
Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. But we must remember that this 
terrible loss shows the continued bravery of the American space 
program. We forget so easily the immense risks associated with space 
exploration, and I commend those individuals who continue to put 
themselves at great risk in order for all of us to live in a more 
enlightened and advanced society.
  In the wake of this tragedy, NASA and the Congress must work together 
to initiate the most complete and thorough investigation possible in 
order to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The work of 
exploration is ongoing and we must be vigilant in maintaining standards 
of safety. Larger questions about the future of our journey into space 
must also be addressed by Congress.
  It is important that we also remember the three crewmembers still on 
board the International Space Station who lost valued friends and 
peers. I am hopeful that they will safely return to Earth as soon as 
possible.
  I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of the heroic crew of 
Space Shuttle Columbia. I am certain that the men and women at NASA are 
struggling with their grief, as well, and my thoughts are with them 
also.
  Let us all remember the remarkable individuals who reached the stars 
and lived lives of great American accomplishment.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, words are not sufficient to describe how I 
felt on Saturday morning when the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus 
announced that the space shuttle Columbia had gone down. My heart goes 
out to the families and friends of the seven courageous men and women 
astronauts. We mourn the tragic loss of Columbia's crew, whose lives 
were precious to all Americans.
  Today, as NASA and the Nation continues to struggle with shock and 
sadness, I want to take this opportunity to commend three Dorsey High 
School Students from my Congressional District--Atiabet Ijan Amabel, 
Christina Mojarro, and Juan Carlos Ortega--for participating in the 
STARS Academy Research Mission with an experiment that was placed 
aboard space shuttle Columbia.
  The STARS Academy is an online cultural and scientific global 
learning program. It incorporates a standards based curriculum in math, 
science, language arts, geography, and technology. On the STS-107 
mission, schools

[[Page 2413]]

from six countries developed life and physical sciences experiments, 
while working with astronauts, space scientists, engineers, and other 
experts. For this mission the participating schools came from:
  Australia, Spider Experiment;
  Israel, Crystalline Fiber Growth;
  Japan, Medaka Fish Growth;
  USA, Syracuse Ants Experiment;
  Liechtenstein, Carpenter Bee Experiment; and
  China, Silk Worm Experiment.
  These students were involved for over two years.
  Just over one year ago this wonderful project came to my attention, 
and I immediately approached Principal Mahmud of Dorsey High School 
with the idea. The Dorsey science students were required to write an 
essay explaining why they wanted to participate in the STARS Academy. 
The three students represent some of the best and finest that Los 
Angeles Unified School District has to offer. If you do nothing else 
but read their essays you will know why.
  Although the Dorsey students joined STARS late in the program, I was 
pleased that they could participate in this most worthy and highly 
sophisticated scientific experiment. It is this kind of event that can 
provide the inspiration to a young man or woman to pursue a career in 
science and space exploration.
  After the July 2002 launch postponement, and the Chinese students' 
visa problems, the Dorsey students were challenged to move from 
observers to collaborators on the Silk Worm Experiment. This bi-
national experiment investigates the effects of microgravity on 
silkworm larvae development and silk production. Juan, Christina, and 
Amabel fully constructed the silk worm habitat and installed it aboard 
the payload module, prior to Columbia's launch.
  I applaud the dedication of LA Unified Instructional Technology 
Administrator Joe Oliver for his work with the students to instruct 
them in a short amount of time. Joe changed his focus from a little of 
everything to Silk Worm 101, and was pleasantly surprised at how 
quickly the students learned the new material. I am especially proud of 
Christina Mojarro, Juan Ortega, and Amabel Atiabet who have represented 
themselves, their families, Dorsey High School, LAUSD, California's 
33rd District, and Los Angeles, so well.
  Mr. Speaker, despite the tragic events, this is an historic moment 
for Dorsey High School and its students who participated in the Silk 
Worm Experiment. Their projects and dedication to science are fitting 
honors to the astronauts who lost their lives and an inspiration to all 
future space explorers.
  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I wish to offer my strong support for the 
resolution.
  As they have been since Saturday, my prayers and thoughts are with 
the families and friends of the seven space shuttle Columbia astronauts 
who lost their lives. Our Nation mourns with them and the people of 
Israel and India who each lost a native hero in this terrible disaster.
  The tragedy that has befallen our Nation touches each and every 
American deeply and personally. Throughout our modern history, the NASA 
program and the astronauts who have courageously committed their lives 
to space exploration have represented the hope and promise of the 
future. In an endless universe with so many unknowns, these brave men 
and women are the ones who set out to find the answers that further the 
understanding of our existence and provide the keys to the technology 
of the future.
  When that promise of our future is suddenly struck with great 
tragedy, we feel an emptiness deep within us. While we mourn, we must 
remember that space travel must go on and that we must continue to 
explore space in order to advance the causes and abilities of 
humankind.
  As a Congressman, I have had the honor of personally getting to know 
a number of our NASA astronauts, having brought them to speak to 
students at several Bergen and Hudson County elementary and middle 
schools. As the astronauts made their presentations and discussed their 
experiences, I saw the eyes of the children light up with wonder, 
amazement, and admiration. Our astronauts, who are some of the 
brightest people on our planet, are heroes and as inspiration to all of 
us, and in particular to our children, who see the hope of a better 
tomorrow for themselves through the eyes of our space explorers.
  As we try to find the answers behind this disaster, all Americans 
must unite and draw strength from one another in order to heal and move 
forward. May God bless our heroes who were lost as well as their 
families and loved ones, and may God bless America.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this 
resolution and in tribute to the Columbia seven. Today we mourn them 
all. We mourn Commander Rick Husband, Pilot William McCool, Mission 
Specialists Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, and Laurel 
Clark, and Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon.
  All seven of the Columbia left behind husbands and wives and family 
and friends. They were role models to young people everywhere who 
dreamed of space. They symbolized possibility and achievement to 
Americans, Indians, Israelis, and citizens of the world. They gave 
their lives in exploration for America and the world. They hold a 
special place in all of our hearts.
  I would like to say a few words about Dr. Chawla, who earned her 
doctorate in aerospace engineering at the University of Colorado. Dr. 
Chawla was the second former CU student to be lost on a NASA mission, 
joining Ellison Onizuka, who died in the Challenger accident in 1986.
  Mr. Speaker, I've included an article from the Denver Post detailing 
how Dr. Chawla spent five hours on Columbia salvaging the broken space 
experiment of students at the Colorado School of Mines. Because of Dr. 
Chawla's help, the students were able to download almost all of the 
data they had hoped for through a satellite link.
  Those who knew Dr. Chawla talk about her incredible determination and 
drive and her ability to achieve against so many odds. A friend of hers 
from India said that ``She never had the feeling that because she was a 
girl, there were things she should not do.'' She left India, but she 
never forgot it. Beginning in 1998, at her urging, NASA invited high 
school students from India to take part in a summer space experience 
program in Houston. One of the students who visited Houston remembered 
something Dr. Chawla said to her there: ``Whatever you believe in, do--
just follow your dreams.''
  In his State of the Union address announcing his vision to put a man 
on the moon, President Kennedy said that ``it will not be one man going 
to the moon . . . it will be an entire nation.'' And it has been an 
entire nation supporting our men and women in space, dreaming their 
dreams along with them, following their adventures, as a way to satisfy 
our own curiosity, to stimulate our own sense of discovery and wonder.
  I am committed to doing all I can to honor the memory of our brave 
astronauts. The House Science Committee's Subcommittee on Space and 
Aeronautics, of which I am a member, will be conducting hearings to try 
to understand what happened to Columbia, to make sure such a tragedy 
never happens again, and to help NASA recover and begin anew its 
mission of discovery. I intend to take an active part in those 
hearings.
  The exploration of space remains one of the great adventures of all 
time. I am committed to keeping the dream alive, and along with it, the 
spirits of the Columbia seven.

                  [From the Denver Post, Feb. 2, 2003]

                            (By Dave Curtin)

       Astronaut Kalpana Chawla became a hero to students at 
     Colorado School of Mines when she went beyond NASA protocol 
     to spend five hours Monday salvaging their broken space 
     experiment.
       But more than that, Chawla and her six crewmates made the 
     students feel like their best friends and equals in space 
     science as they worked closely together during the past week.
       ``They were real people. They didn't put themselves above 
     anyone else. They made us feel important,'' said Ned Riedel, 
     who helped design the Mines experiment, a system designed to 
     fight fire in space and on Earth. He worked directly with the 
     astronauts from Johnson Space Center in Houston until he 
     returned to Colorado on Friday.
       Chawla worked tirelessly to fix a pesky leak on the Mines 
     firefighting experiment as five students and professors 
     watched, riveted, from payload control at the space center.
       When she was finished with the fixes, the experiment worked 
     like a charm and data flowed to the students on the ground 
     for a week, saving the future of the project.
       Students couldn't believe the time Chawla and the other 
     astronauts devoted to their experiment. It was only one of 80 
     aboard the 16-day flight, including one by international high 
     school students coordinated by the University of Colorado.
       And they couldn't believe how unassuming the astronauts 
     were since meeting them 2\1/2\ years ago and training them on 
     the experiment.
       ``They were incredibly nice people. Easy-going and down-to-
     earth people,'' said Riedel. ``Working the mission with them, 
     they were just fantastic. The timeline in space didn't allow 
     the time we needed to get it online, and they gave it to us 
     anyway,'' he said.
       ``We learned things we never expected. We celebrated all 
     the way to the end. We were ecstatic, which makes this even 
     more horrible,'' Riedel said. ``When I head, I cried. I

[[Page 2414]]

     thought of their families. Now I'm just shocked. I can't get 
     over it.''
       ``They sacrificed time from their meals and other things to 
     give us time not scheduled for our experiment,'' said David 
     Petrick, a Mines graduate who also returned Friday from 
     Johnson Space Center, where he worked with the astronauts.
       The school's new-generation firefighting system produces a 
     fine-water mist in spacecraft and has commercial applications 
     on Earth, including in office towers.
       A 1996 international ban on ozone-depleting Halon 1301 as a 
     chemical fire suppressant has created an urgent need for 
     other environmentally friendly fire suppressants. The ban 
     went into effect in 2000.
       Using water droplets one-tenth the size of a human hair, 
     the Mines mister creates a fog that sucks the heat out of 
     fire, preventing its spread and saving lives.
       It's preferable to conventional water sprinklers because it 
     causes less damage to expensive equipment such as computers. 
     It's also an attractive alternative for planes and ships 
     traveling with weight limits, said Frank Schowengerdt, 
     director of Mines' Center for Commercial Application of 
     Combustion in Space, one of 17 NASA-funded commercial space-
     research centers in the country.
       The experiment on board Columbia was a tightly sealed 1\1/
     2\-foot cannister with a tiny propane flame that ignited a 
     gas mixture so researchers could examine how the mist worked 
     in space.
       Thanks to the astronauts' devotion, the students were able 
     to download 90 percent of the data they had hoped for through 
     a satellite link last week.
       ``This experiment that the shuttle crew worked so hard to 
     repair a few days ago will move forward in their honor, and 
     we will use the data they gleaned in space to build a 
     firefighting system they would be proud of,'' Schowengerdt 
     said. ``And we will think of a way to name it after them. 
     They made all the difference.''
       The students were stunned at how humble the shuttle crew 
     was as they worked together over the months.
       ``What makes them extra special is you could walk up to 
     them and they would remember your name and have a beer with 
     you,'' Riedel said.
       That happened to Riedel and Petrick in December during 
     final simulation exercises, when the students bumped into the 
     shuttle crew at Petey's, an astronaut after-hours hangout 
     near Johnson Space Center.
       ``I knew Ilan Ramon because he's an astronaut, but it 
     floored me that he remembered my name and started introducing 
     me around like I was his best friend,'' Riedel said. ``That's 
     just the kind of people they all were.''
       The students were grieving on Saturday, feeling the loss of 
     their science partners--astronauts they had come to call 
     friends.
       ``We were walking on sunshine Friday,'' Petrick said. ``The 
     Mission Control folks were smiling at us because we were 
     dancing and singing, we were so happy. Then on Saturday we 
     woke to this happening.''
       ``I thought on Monday it was going to be a tragedy because 
     we wouldn't be able to get any data for our experiment,'' 
     Riedel said.
       ``Now I know the definition of tragedy,'' he said, breaking 
     into tears.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). All time for debate has 
expired.
  The Clerk will report the resolution.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H. Res. 51

       Whereas the House of Representatives has learned with 
     profound sorrow of the tragedy during re-entry of the space 
     shuttle program of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration, involving the Columbia Shuttle Mission STS-
     107 and its crew consisting of Rick D. Husband (commander), 
     William C. McCool (pilot), Michael P. Anderson (payload 
     commander), David M. Brown (mission specialist), Kalpana 
     Chawla (mission specialist), Laurel Blair Salton Clark 
     (mission specialist), and Ilan Ramon (payload specialist): 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives expresses its 
     condolences to the families of the crew members of the 
     Columbia shuttle mission; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions to 
     the families of the Columbia crew; and be it further
       Resolved, That when the House of Representatives adjourns 
     today, it adjourns as a further mark of respect to the memory 
     of the valiant crew members of the Columbia shuttle mission.

                              {time}  1730

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). Pursuant to the order of the 
House of today, the previous question is ordered.
  The question is on the resolution.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this resolution are postponed until later today.

                          ____________________