Space Shuttle "Challenger"/"Columbia"

SPACE SHUTTLE ``CHALLENGER''/``COLUMBIA'' -- (Senate - February 01, 2006)

Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I rise today to remember two events, one which occurred 20 years ago this past Wednesday, and another which took place 3 years ago today. These dates mark profound tragedies in the history of the U.S. space program.

As my colleagues will remember, the space shuttle Challenger exploded just minutes after takeoff in 1986, claiming the lives of five men and two women, among them Christa McAuliffe, who was to have been the first teacher in space. She is quoted as saying shortly before the flight, ``One of the things I hope to bring back into the classroom is to make that connection with the students that they too are part of history, the space program belongs to them.'' I believe this statement represents very well the spirit of curiosity and the hope for the future that both these brave explorers and the space program represent.

Then, just 3 short years ago, seven men and women lost their lives when the space shuttle Columbia exploded as it reentered the atmosphere. So many individuals pulled together to help in recovery efforts after this national tragedy. The police departments, firefighters, local VFWs and emergency services, as well as the thousands of volunteers from East Texas and across the State, worked remarkably well together to handle the crisis and to prevent further tragedy on the ground. Law enforcement officials, NASA, and FEMA faced such a difficult time in the aftermath--and they handled the stress with grace.

The NASA community suffered a profound loss with these tragedies. This dedicated team of professionals is a symbol of our passion for science, exploration, and the discovery of places and worlds as yet unknown, and we appreciate the service of all of these men and women.

The seven heroes who lost their lives that day had dedicated themselves to the future of our Nation's space program, seven men and women who knew the risks of climbing into a rocket, leaving the Earth, and exploring the heavens, seven men and women who volunteered for an extremely dangerous but critically important mission:

Shuttle Commander Rick Husband

Pilot William McCool

Payload Commander Michael Anderson

Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla

Mission Specialist David Brown

Mission Specialist Laurel Blair Salton Clark

Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon

These brave seven, as well as the crew lost with Columbia, as well as the three who lost their lives to the Apollo 1 fire in 1967, are all shining examples of the courage, enthusiasm, and awe that runs through the veins of all the men and women of NASA--and all the eager children across this Nation who look to the stars and see the beginning, not the end, of their universe.

These brave astronauts throughout the space program inspire not only our Nation and our children--they inspire the world. Their actions, bravery, and achievement are a challenge to humankind. A challenge to dream, to achieve more and to reach farther than ever thought possible. I thank these courageous explorers--and those they left behind--for their sacrifice for our country.

http://thomas.loc.gov/