Recognizing Space Shuttle Commander Eileen Collins, Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence, and the Contributions of All Other Women Who Have Worked...

RECOGNIZING SPACE SHUTTLE COMMANDER EILEEN COLLINS, MISSION SPECIALIST WENDY LAWRENCE, AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ALL OTHER WOMEN WHO HAVE WORKED WITH NASA -- (House of Representatives - September 20, 2005)

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Mrs. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I rise in favor of House Resolution 450, recognizing Shuttle Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence, who are an inspiration to women everywhere. They serve as role models to young women and have succeeded in fields traditionally dominated by men.

Their success is due in part to the hard work of trailblazing women who came before them. Elizabeth Blackwell, who was a resident of my native Cincinnati and the first American female medical doctor, once said: ``For what is done or learned by one class of women becomes, by virtue of their common womanhood, the property of all women.''

When we think of great women astronauts, we must remember two from the Buckeye State.

The first is Judith Resnick. She was born in Akron, graduated from Firestone High School, and earned her doctorate in electrical engineering before joining NASA. Judith died tragically aboard Space Shuttle Challenger.

The second is Nancy J. Currie of Troy, Ohio, who graduated from Troy High School, earned a degree in biological science from Ohio State University, eventually earning a doctorate in engineering. She flew four successful missions between 1993 and 2002, and in 2003 Dr. Currie was selected to lead the Space Shuttle Program Safety and Mission Assurance Office.

These women are outstanding in their field, outstanding by virtue of what they have accomplished, not because they are women. They succeeded in fields traditionally dominated by men and inspired young girls around the country to succeed in their footsteps. It is for these future female leaders that we must continue to push the envelope and recognize those who came before them.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

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