[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4099]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          THE COURAGE TO DREAM

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                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 12, 2003

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, risk and danger are constant companions of 
progress. And last Saturday morning, we were reminded again that 
progress at times inflicts a painful price.
  Fate has called the brave crew members of the Space Shuttle Columbia 
home, and, here on Earth, we maintain our faith that they have now 
begun a far better journey--one of our Creator's design.
  Words are small comfort today to those closest to this tragedy, the 
families and friends of Rick Husband, William McCool, Michael Anderson, 
Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, Laurel Clark and Illan Ramon. A grateful 
Nation mourns their loss and honors their courage and sacrifice.
  We also offer heartfelt condolences to those left behind, especially 
the twelve children who have lost a mother or father. We pray that 
time, and a recognition of this great mission, provide some comfort and 
help to heal this wound.
  The history of America is marked not only by sacrifice in the service 
of others, but by a yearning to explore, to discover, to progress . . . 
from the first permanent settlers in the new world at Jamestown . . . 
to the expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark . . . to the 
Wright Brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk . . . to Neil Armstrong's 
first step on the moon a mere 66 years later.
  The crew of the Columbia now joins that pantheon of American heroes 
who had the courage to dream, as well as the willingness to turn their 
vision into reality.
  Although they traveled millions of miles in space, they sought 
answers to the questions that lie closest to the human heart.
  The most fitting tribute that we can pay to their legacy is to 
fulfill this solemn pledge: We will continue the work that you have 
advanced.
  And we will do so with the realization that it is our responsibility 
to determine the cause of this tragedy and to minimize the risk to 
those engaged in the exploration of space and the unknown.
  Our Nation has always risen to a challenge and overcome adversity 
through perseverance.
  That is a measure of our greatness. And, today, that is the calling 
that our national character commands us to undertake and continue.

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