Congratulating NASA on the 25th Anniversary of the First Flight of the Space Transportation System
CONGRATULATING NASA ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM -- (House of Representatives - April 05, 2006)
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Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor all the men and women who have made our space shuttle program possible. I would like to commend Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen for being pioneers in their field. With the lift-off of the Space Shuttle Columbia on April 12, 1981, we were launched into a new era of space flight and exploration. The importance of their mission to our Nation cannot be overestimated.
Our desire to explore space, to go beyond this world, is rooted firmly in a human desire that has existed since the first of us stared into the night sky. It is a desire that has been passed down through human history and has found deep roots in America. We live in a land where pioneers stood on the frontier and bravely journeyed beyond what was known. Our space program continues that proud tradition of accomplishments.
When challenged by President Kennedy to put a man on the moon before the decades end, America could not even put a man into earth's orbit, but we answered the call. We've stood on the Moon, and have begun to unlock many of the secrets of Mars. We could not have come so far without the knowledge and experience gained from the shuttle flights.
With our accomplishments, we've also experienced tragedy. The brave men and women who gave their lives in pursuit of knowledge are a constant reminder that no matter how hard we try to ensure safety, exploration always comes with a risk. As a nation, we should not shirk these risks, just as our forbearers did not. We should use them as guideposts to remind ourselves of the challenges and difficulties of exploring space. The men and women of NASA have taken our dreams and made them real. I thank them for their vision, sacrifice, and dedication.
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