[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5049]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE HEROIC LIVES OF ASTRONAUTS AIR FORCE 
    LIEUTENANT COLONEL MICHAEL ANDERSON AND NAVY COMMANDER WILLIAM 
                           ``WILLIE'' McCOOL

  Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 73, submitted earlier 
today by Senators Cantwell and Murray.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution, S. Res. 73, remembering and honoring the 
     heroic lives of astronauts Air Force Lieutenant Colonel 
     Michael Anderson and Navy Commander William ``Willie'' 
     McCool.

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I would like to be added as a cosponsor of 
the resolution.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent the resolution and preamble be 
agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and 
any statements relating to this measure be printed in the Record, 
without any intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 73) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 73

       Whereas mankind lost 7 heroes with the tragic explosion of 
     the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003;
       Whereas the families and friends of the 7 astronauts, the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the entire 
     Nation, and people around the world who followed the historic 
     mission will deeply miss the 7 crew members of the Space 
     Shuttle Columbia;
       Whereas the astronauts made an important contribution as 
     models of bravery, courage, and excellence for men, women, 
     and children around the world;
       Whereas 2 of these heroes, Air Force Lieutenant Colonel 
     Michael Anderson and Navy Commander William ``Willie'' 
     McCool, are particularly close to the hearts of residents of 
     the State of Washington;
       Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Anderson was a beloved son of 
     the Spokane community since moving there at the age of 11, 
     and a cherished hero for men, women, and children in 
     Washington;
       Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Anderson was a hero, long before 
     accepting the challenge of the Columbia mission, for leading 
     a life characterized by courage, achievement against many 
     odds, and sacrifice for this country;
       Whereas the story of Lieutenant Colonel Anderson is even 
     more remarkable in light of the barriers to success that 
     young African-Americans in this country have had to overcome;
       Whereas this remarkable story has long been shared at the 
     childhood church of Lieutenant Colonel Anderson and 
     throughout the Spokane African-American community, and has 
     inspired a generation of children;
       Whereas throughout his early education in Spokane area 
     public schools, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson focused on 
     voyaging to space as an astronaut and became an exceptional 
     science student;
       Whereas since becoming an astronaut in 1994, Lieutenant 
     Colonel Anderson took to heart the special responsibility of 
     serving as a role model for children around the country and 
     back home;
       Whereas after his 1998 flight on the Space Shuttle Endeavor 
     to the Mir Space Station, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson 
     returned to Cheney High School in Spokane and told a crowd of 
     enthralled students that dreams such as his of becoming an 
     astronaut can be achieved with hard work and clear goals;
       Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Anderson embodied excellence and 
     provided a triumphant example of accomplishment for Americans 
     of all colors, races, and backgrounds;
       Whereas the Washington family lost another dear friend in 
     Commander McCool, who made Anacortes, Washington his home 
     during 2 periods of service at Naval Air Station Whidbey 
     Island;
       Whereas community members remember Commander McCool for his 
     kindness, professionalism, and love of his children;
       Whereas Commander McCool continued to pay visits to the 
     Anacortes community and was a cherished member of the 
     community; and
       Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Anderson and Navy Commander 
     McCool will be missed but never forgotten: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate remembers and honors the heroic 
     lives of astronauts Lieutenant Colonel Michael Anderson and 
     Commander William McCool.

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