[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18150]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   AIR FORCE ACADEMY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY AND NASA'S RETURN TO FLIGHT.

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I today observe two momentous occasions: 
the Space Shuttle's Return to Flight and the 50th anniversary of the 
U.S. Air Force Academy.
  Yesterday, at 10:39 a.m. eastern daylight time, the Space Shuttle 
Discovery safely lifted off from its launch pad at Cape Canaveral, FL. 
It blasted into orbit carrying seven of our Nation's finest, on a 
mission to resupply the International Space Station, test the Shuttle, 
and resume America's manned exploration of the cosmos.
  I want to thank NASA's Administrator, Michael Griffin, and the 
thousands of men and women who have worked tirelessly in the wake of 
the Columbia tragedy to upgrade the safety of our space mission. Their 
commitment and courage have helped turn our Nation's dreams to the 
heavens and stars once again.
  Also this month, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the entrance of 
the first class of cadets to the Air Force Academy.
  It is fitting that NASA's return to flight occurs at a moment when we 
are reflecting on the Air Force Academy's first half century of 
service, because the Academy and NASA are two institutions that attract 
the best men and women in our country. Due to their shared focus on 
flight, the two institutions are forever linked. In fact, two of the 
astronauts guiding the Discovery in orbit overhead right now come from 
the Air Force Academy.
  LTC Eileen Collins, a former professor in the Air Force Academy's 
Mathematics Department, is currently soaring 122 miles above us as the 
commander of the Shuttle's return to flight. Raised in public housing 
in upstate New York, Eileen Collins broke through every barrier laid 
before her to become the first woman to pilot a Shuttle. When she came 
to the Air Force Academy in 1986 she helped usher in a new era at the 
Academy, an era where women were allowed to compete and succeed on an 
equal playing field. We in Colorado are very proud that Lieutenant 
Colonel Collins' journey to space brought her to the Air Force Academy.
  Sitting next to Lieutenant Colonel Collins today in the Space Shuttle 
is Discovery's pilot, James Kelly, Air Force Academy class of 1986.
  James Kelly grew up in the small town of Burlington, IA, where the 
sounds of passing airplanes inspired dreams of spaceflight. The Air 
Force Academy gave James Kelly the tools, training, and opportunity to 
take to the skies. It gave him, and the thousands of other young men 
and women who have passed through its gates, a mission to serve our 
country and the greater good.
  Astronauts Collins and Kelly represent the best of the Academy they 
represent the best of its students and the best of its faculty. They 
remind us that the Academy's proud mission continues to be of 
immeasurable value to our nation.
  Yesterday's successful Space Shuttle launch reminds us that despite 
the challenges that still face the Academy, the institution has, for 
half a century, produced some of our finest leaders.
  The 360 civilians who took the oath on July 12, 1955, to become the 
first Air Force Academy cadets built a legacy of leadership that is at 
the foundation of the institution's mission. Three generations of young 
people have passed through the Academy and have learned to lead our 
nation in times of war and peace.
  They live by the Academy's core values, ``integrity first, service 
beyond self, and excellence in all we do.'' They inspire us all.
  They inspire us because they are American pioneers like Eileen 
Collins, first in her field.
  They inspire us because they are represented by the cadet who told me 
he chose the Academy because, quote, ``the country needs me--our 
freedoms need my protection.''
  And the Academy's cadets inspire us because they are leading our 
Return to Flight, lifting our thoughts from tragedy to the triumphant 
possibilities of space exploration.
  I congratulate the Air Force Academy, its cadets, staff, and 
graduates for 50 years of excellence.
  And along with millions of Americans, I also wish our astronauts a 
safe voyage and a speedy return.
  Our prayers are with you.

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