A Year After Columbia

A YEAR AFTER COLUMBIA

A day to pause and pay tribute to the courage of those seven brave men and women who lost their lives on a mission of danger and discovery, Cornyn says

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn made the following statement regarding the one-year anniversary of the Space Shuttle Columbia explosion:

"This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of the Space Shuttle Columbia explosion, a day that will forever remind us of the risks of space exploration-but one which should not deter us from further discoveries.

"This is an opportunity to pause and pay tribute to the courage of those seven brave men and women, who volunteered for a mission of danger and discovery, and left the limits of this earth behind once and for all.

"Most Americans did not know these seven astronauts during their life. But we can all recognize them for the national spirit they represent, the hope and adventure that dwells within the heart of every freedom-loving man, woman and child. It is the voice that calls us to run faster, to climb higher, and to challenge the very boundaries of human achievement.

"The President has outlined a bold vision of optimism for the future of manned space flight and exploration, and I believe we should rededicate ourselves to this goal. As we pause to reflect on the lives of the Columbia Seven, let us never forget that our reach should always exceed our grasp."