Tribute to the Space Shuttle; Columbia Astronauts ; Douglas, Rick ; Mccool, William C

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2003-02-04 Tribute to the Space Shuttle; Columbia Astronauts ; Douglas, Rick ; McCool, William C. ; Kalpana, Chawla ; Anderson, Michael P. ; Clark, Laurel Blair Salton ; Ramon, Ilan ; Brown, David M.

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Vol. 149 : no. 20 Congressional Record ; S1847 - S1864 http://hdl.handle.net/10945/24507 E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 108 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

Vol. 149 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2003 No. 20 Senate The Senate met at 4 p.m. and was SCHEDULE EXPRESSING GOOD WISHES called to order by the President pro Mr. BOND. Mr. President, on behalf Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I join with tempore [Mr. STEVENS]. of the majority leader, I announce that my good friend from Nevada in express- The PRESIDENT pro tempore. To- today the Senate will be in a period for ing our good wishes to the distin- day’s prayer will be offered by our morning business from now until 6 guished Senator from Kentucky, as guest Chaplain, Dr. William J. Carl III, p.m., with the time equally divided. well as our good friend, the distin- First Presbyterian Church, Dallas, TX. Senators have requested time to me- guished Senator from Florida, who also morialize and reflect upon the Space has undergone a very serious oper- PRAYER Shuttle Columbia disaster. ation. We are a family and our The guest Chaplain offered the fol- There will be no rollcall votes today thoughts and concerns of those in this lowing prayer: because many of the Senators are in body who have had illnesses are with O God, who made Heaven and Earth, Houston for the memorial service for them. We wish them a very speedy re- we pause in this moment of national the space shuttle crewmembers. An covery. The Senate will be a bit duller grief to remember heroes who have early adjournment this evening is ex- and quieter until they return, but I am gone on before us. We watched a tear pected. confident they will do so soon. streak across Heaven’s face as Colum- I yield to the distinguished assistant f bia’s brave crew gave their lives for us minority leader. all. Into Thy hands we commit their TRIBUTE TO THE SPACE SHUTTLE f spirits as we recommit ourselves to the ‘‘COLUMBIA’’ ASTRONAUTS causes for which they died. WISHES AND HOPE FOR A SPEEDY Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise As they reached for the stars, they RECOVERY today with a heavy heart, which was lifted with the inspiring and thoughtful touched pioneer places that gave us Mr. REID. Mr. President, I want the words of our guest Chaplain. I thank glimpses of Heaven and Earth. So we record to reflect my expectation that him for helping us see the greater de- here on Earth release them into Heav- the majority whip will return to work sign, the hope for the future, and the en as we say, ‘‘Well done, good and soon. I was saddened to learn that Sen- good news that we have been given by faithful servants.’’ Recalling the sober ator MITCH MCCONNELL had triple by- the Lord. days of September 11, we realize how pass surgery. We all know the spunk, As did millions of Americans, I spent fragile all our lives are, and yet how re- spirit, and tenacity he has, and I am Saturday watching the dreams of seven silient our Nation can be. When our confident he will return stronger than brave astronauts streak back to Earth lives come apart, You are always there ever from that surgery. in sadness. The sadness we still feel to help us pick up the pieces. On behalf of all Senators, I extend to today, and we will feel for many days, Pick us up now, Lord. Give us cour- MITCH and his lovely wife, the Sec- is because those seven astronauts car- age and hope for the future that lies retary of Labor, Elaine Chao, our best ried our dreams with them. ahead as we continue to be one people, wishes and hope for a speedy recovery. under God, with liberty and justice for That is the wonder and the magic of all. Amen. f our space program. Our astronauts go RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME into space in large part for those of us f who cannot go. Our hearts and our spir- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE its are their cargo. We soar and ride CHAFEE). Under the previous order, the with them into a realm that is beyond The President pro tempore led the leadership time is reserved. the grasp of most men but not beyond Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: f the grasp of mankind. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the Even while we engage in the somber United States of America, and to the Repub- MORNING BUSINESS work of recovering from this terrible lic for which it stands, one nation under God, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under accident, in recovering the crew and indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the previous order, there will now be a the Columbia itself, our thoughts have f period for the transaction of morning already returned to the work of ensur- business not to extend beyond the hour ing the safety of the U.S. manned space RECOGNITION OF THE ACTING of 6 p.m., with the time to be equally flight program and of the remaining MAJORITY LEADER divided between the two leaders or shuttles. That is one of the responsibil- The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The their designees. ities entrusted to us with the funding acting majority leader is recognized. The Senator from Missouri. and oversight of the space agency.

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

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VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04FE6.000 S04PT1 S1848 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 2003 Shuttle safety is not a new issue to flected in our reports. It is all in the be able to bring them home in com- those of us on the Appropriations Com- public record. I know NASA has always plete safety. mittee—or the authorizing com- placed the safety of our astronauts as The administration is moving for- mittee—which funds the space agency its highest priority, we have an obliga- ward with two commissions to under- and its operations. It is our job—my tion to ensure that the analysis of safe- stand what happened, and to make sure wonderful friend, the Senator from ty, no matter what the cost, is fully it does not happen again. In addition, I Maryland, Ms. MIKULSKI, and me—to disclosed, understood, and addressed. believe it is appropriate to hold a hear- ensure we know and understand each We have labored to do so in the past ing in the appropriations sub- crucial element of the budget that and will continue to do so in the fu- committee on shuttle funding upgrades safeguards the lives of our brave astro- ture. and safety needs. This is too important nauts. We recognize that Congress, NASA, an issue not to receive the full atten- Whether during my service as chair- and the administration have to live tion of the Senate. I assure my col- man or under the leadership of my able within a budget. At the same time, we leagues that we will work to provide colleague from Maryland, the direction cannot allow a budget to force our whatever funding is necessary to meet of the VA–HUD and Independent Agen- hand on safety decisions. We have not the immediate needs of the space agen- cies Appropriations Subcommittee has done so, nor will we. I do not believe cy through the remaining months of been consistent throughout. Space NASA has done so, nor this, nor the the fiscal year. shuttle safety is paramount. previous administration. Nevertheless, We are currently waiting to hear I am proud the subcommittee I cur- our concerns on VA–HUD appropria- back from NASA at this moment, and rently chair has consistently fully tions were heightened by the March clearly we will provide whatever addi- funded NASA’s request for manned 2002 NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory tional funds are necessary for NASA in space flight program safety. Neverthe- Panel Report which stated that the the 2003 supplemental, as appropriate, less, nothing about manned exploration current budget projections for the or even if we receive a request in time of space is or will ever be free of risk. space shuttle were insufficient to ac- in the conference report on the 2003 Manned space flight is, by its very na- commodate significant safety up- measure that is pending. I will convene ture, life threatening. Flying a space grades, infrastructure needs, and the a hearing on safety needs as soon as shuttle is nothing less than hurtling maintenance of critical workforce practicable, as soon as NASA has infor- across the heavens where a slightest skills over the long term. mation for us, understanding full well mistake guarantees instantaneous Our most recent report to the appro- that the immediate needs focus on re- death. priations bill endorsed these concerns covery of the Columbia, the crew, and No matter how successful we are, and as well as the need for additional fund- the twin investigations now underway. no matter how many safe shuttle ing for shuttle safety upgrades. Our At a time of such tragedy, we all launches we have under our belts, we concerns were sufficient to request function as part of a team with a single can never forget the dangers inherent that NASA conduct an assessment of mission, to find out what went wrong, in space travel. We can and should future safety needs in light of the shut- and then to take steps to make sure it never be complacent. tle’s longer than expected operational never happens again. We must and we We have an ironclad social and moral life and use. We need to know more and will leave no stone unturned. There are contract with our astronauts: In return we need to know more now. astronauts who have not yet flown but for their willingness to place them- NASA has already responded with a who will perhaps this year and in 10 selves in jeopardy on behalf of all man- request for additional shuttle upgrades years. They dream of carrying our kind, we in return have an obligation and safety funding over the next few hopes beyond this planet we call home. to provide them with all the resources years. This was the right response, but We must always keep faith with them required for a safe flight. we need to know how much more we and their families. We must honor the While it is our goal to eliminate risk, need to do to ensure that every funding contract that binds us in this great en- to be quite frank, we cannot. We can decision continues to make the lives of deavor. only minimize risk. That is the cruel our astronauts the paramount priority That dream has not died with Colum- reality of manned space flight. Some at NASA. bia and her proud crew. Her dream lives element of risk haunts every mission. Clearly, we had concerns, and those on in the hearts of all of us who look to And in the face of such risks, we still concerns remain. We must work to- the heavens on a quiet night in awe have Americans and international gether to gain greater confidence in and wonder, and we see the Columbia partners willing—yes, anxious—to go. NASA’s budget. still. We mourn for the astronauts and They know the risks. Their families I applaud and have the highest admi- we pray for their families. We shall al- understand they are in harm’s way and ration for NASA Administrator Sean ways remember them, along with the still they dare to live a dream that O’Keefe, who is already working hard Challenger and the Apollo crews. The very few of us can fully appreciate. It on this and many more issues at NASA. courage of all of the astronauts shall is precisely that element of human na- He took over a troubled agency drown- forever inspire our dreams and bright- ture that inspires us to seek challenges ing in cost overruns and out-of-control en our hopes for the future. greater than ourselves. spending on the International Space Manned space exploration is a great To those who question the value of Station program. He stopped the bleed- challenge, a great opportunity. Yes, our space program, I ask them: How ing of huge cost overruns and has there are dangers with it, but fulfilling can you quantify the dreams of mil- righted NASA’s ship through respon- the hopes and the dreams of those who lions of children here and across the sible program management. I look for- have gone before is our great oppor- world? How can you quantify the spirit ward, as do, I am sure, the rest of the tunity and our obligation. of discovery? What value should we Members of this body, to continuing to I yield the floor. place on our quest to understand our work with Administrator O’Keefe in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The place in the universe? our efforts to ensure the safety of our Democratic whip. Those are the questions we must ask shuttle program and the well-being of Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- ourselves during this period of recov- our astronauts. This will, as always, re- imous consent that the Senator from ery. The weeks and months ahead will main our top priority. California be recognized for up to 15 be filled with questions. So far, we Of course, we must find out what minutes after I complete my remarks. have too few answers. happened to the Columbia, fix the prob- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Our questions did not begin with Sat- lem, and move our space program for- objection, it is so ordered. urday’s terrible loss of Columbia. The ward, as the deputy administrator for Mr. REID. Mr. President, before my subcommittee has had continuing con- space so eloquently stated on Satur- friend from Missouri leaves the Cham- cerns about whether the budget re- day. But this is not a simple issue. We ber, I say to him that the work he and quests from NASA accurately reflect have three international astronauts on Senator MIKULSKI have done on the ap- the full safety needs of the space agen- the International Space Station, two propriations subcommittee that deals cy and the shuttle program. It is re- Americans and one Russian. We need to with the funding for the space program

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G04FE6.004 S04PT1 February 4, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1849 is exemplary. We have gone through self in many different ways in the skies ented individuals. You will be im- some very tough times. There are defending our country’s interests. He pressed with, and inspired by, the many Senators who have offered was later, of course, a test pilot who range and degree of their accomplish- amendments to do away with the space set a transcontinental speed record, ments. station and defund the space program. and in 1962 he piloted Friendship 7 Nevadans mourn their deaths and ex- I have always been proud of the bipar- spacecraft in the first manned orbital tend our sympathy to all of their fami- tisan relationship that Senator BOND mission of the United States. He rep- lies and loved ones. My colleagues will and Senator MIKULSKI have had in resented Ohio in the U.S. Senate for 25 speak about each of the crew members fighting for the space program. It is a years, and nearing the end of his final we lost, and I will in the future discuss program we have to protect. I know term, he volunteered to return to space more of them, but in my brief remarks there have been editorials saying do at age 77 as part of the shuttle crew today, I especially offer my condo- away with it; it is not worthwhile, but that deployed the Spartan solar-ob- lences on the loss of Columbia’s pilot, I really think it is important for so serving spacecraft. His encore flight al- William McCool, a Navy commander many reasons, not the least of which is lowed us to learn about the aging proc- who was 41 years old. His mother Au- to explore space. ess. drey is a dean at the University of Ne- The second is, I went running this John Glenn was part of that select vada Las Vegas and his father Barry morning. It was raining. It was windy group depicted by writer Tom Wolfe in both teaches part-time at UNLV and is and cold. I had on a very brief wrap, his fascinating book about the early ef- a graduate student there. thin as this piece of paper, but I was forts to explore space. John Glenn in- ‘‘Willie’’, as their son was known to warm. Why? Because it was Goretex. It deed proved he has the right stuff. family and friends, was an outstanding was invented to take people into space. Another of our Senate colleagues, student who maintained a 4.0 grade We have accomplished so much in BILL NELSON, is a veteran of space point average and graduated 2nd in a space that is scientific I think it would travel. He and I served together in the class of over one thousand at the de- be a terrible shame to stop the space House of Representatives when he was manding U.S. Naval Academy. He also programs, and it would not be a legacy chosen to be a crew member on the Co- excelled in sports, especially running, of which this country would be proud. lumbia space shuttle. In 1986, he partici- and was elected captain of the Navy I publicly acknowledge and congratu- pated in a 6-day flight that traveled cross-country team. He was well liked late the Senator from Missouri and the over 2 million miles and orbited the by all. He had a great smile, a ‘‘stun- Senator from Maryland for their exem- earth 96 times. He returned safely just ning personality,’’ is how his class- plary work on the subcommittee. 10 days before the Challenger space mates described CDR McCool. Later, Mr. BOND. Mr. President, if I may, I shuttle crew was killed. after the academy, he received ad- wish to extend sincere thanks to the Senator NELSON has applied his own vanced degrees in computer science Senator from Nevada for his remarks. experience in space to speak passion- and engineering and became an elite Senator MIKULSKI is and has been one ately about the value of such missions. pilot. He had more than 400 carrier of the foremost champions of NASA In the wake of the Columbia shuttle landings. Perhaps the most difficult and its mission. She is in Houston tragedy, it is important that we under- test for any pilot is landing on those today. I am sure we will hear from her. stand the significance of the shuttle carriers as they bob up and down in the It is her ongoing and strong commit- voyages and America’s entire space ocean. His parents were proud of him. ment to space shuttle safety that in- program. He was inspired by his parents. spires and leads all of us, and I thank Sending men and women into space Willie’s father, Barry, was a Navy the distinguished assistant minority further our understanding of the mys- and Marine pilot, a veteran of Viet- leader for his words. teries of the universe, and reveals an- nam. They built model airplanes to- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I join my swers to some eternal and profound gether when CDR McCool was a boy. colleagues in remembering the seven questions about the cosmos and the These childhood experiences influenced astronauts who perished on the Colum- heavens above. In addition, space ex- Willie to pursue aviation and serve his bia Space Shuttle. Nevadans and all ploration improves our everyday lives country, as he did so well. His example Americans, along with the people of on Earth in ways both big and small was set his by father. Barry McCool India, Israel, and all over the world, because the insight we gain has impor- will now serve on the team inves- mourn their loss, marvel at their cour- tant applications for our health, envi- tigating the disaster that claimed his age, and take pride in their accom- ronment, safety, comfort and son’s life and the other six Columbia as- plishments. Our country’s space pro- wellbeing. tronauts. gram has made remarkable success, The Columbia shuttle mission was de- Willie had more than 2,800 hours of but many people often overlook the in- voted strictly to onboard science, with flight experience. He reacted to his genuity, intelligence, and inspiration no spacewalks or space station visits journey into space with awe and that made this success possible. They involved. More than 80 experiments amazement. He said: It’s beyond imagi- take for granted the enormous dif- were conducted during the 16-day nation until you actually get it and see ficulty involved in the extraordinary flight, including a study of how zero- it and experience it and feel it . . . I achievement, asking: If we can put a gravity affected low-level combustion have had the opportunity to be on the man on the moon, why can’t we solve that might have helped reduce auto- flight deck probably more than most of other problems to overcome other chal- mobile pollution, observations of the my crew mates, to look outside and lenges? sun that could teach us more about really soak up the sunrises, the sun- The moon landing was a great tech- global climate change, research into sets, the moonrises and the moonsets, nological and engineering achieve- water conservation and reuse, and med- the views of the Himalayas. ment. That event and subsequent space ical research intended to fight cancer. For someone who appreciated nature travel testify to American determina- So space travel is important to and spending time outdoors hiking and tion, know-how, and our can-do spirit. Americans and has benefits for all of us camping, it must have been such a joy But sadly, as the Columbia shuttle trag- on Earth. I will continue to be a strong to witness the Earth from the heavens edy reminds us, space travel remains supporter of our space program. where Willie now resides. My thoughts difficult and extremely dangerous. The Certainly, we must investigate what and prayers are with CDR McCool’s brave men and women who embark on caused the Columbia’s demise—and we parents, with his wife, his three sons, journeys into the skies are pioneers. must ask difficult questions and get all and all of his loved ones. One of the original explorers of outer the answers in order to improve the Let me also note that David Brown, a space is our former colleague in the safety of future astronaut heroes—but Navy captain, aviator, and flight sur- Senate, John Glenn. He is a true pa- now is a time to remember the lives of geon, who was also lost aboard the triot who served our great Nation so wonderful crew and to grieve. flight Columbia, was an instructor at well in so many capacities. He was a I encourage everyone to read the Fallon Naval Air Station in Nevada, fighter pilot in World War II, a fighter newspaper articles about this diverse the premier tactical air warfare train- pilot in Korea, who distinguished him- team of courageous, dedicated and tal- ing facility.

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G04FE6.006 S04PT1 S1850 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 2003 Even after the loss of their children NASA assignment capped a distin- Commerce Committee, which has over- in the Columbia shuttle tragedy, the guished Navy career as a test pilot, sight over NASA, I will be asking many mothers of both these crewmembers avionics researcher, and administra- questions in the weeks ahead. Could want the space program to continue. tive and operations officer. the Columbia disaster have been pre- Dorothy Brown said in an interview: Dr. Kalpana Chawla lived and worked vented? We know that space travel can- We’re a nation of explorers. That’s why in California from 1988 to 1994. After 4 not be completely foolproof, but are this great Nation has come to what it years at the Ames Research Center there steps that could have been taken is, and the space program will go on, near Sunnyvale, she joined Overset to prevent this weekend’s tragedy? Was too, for that reason. Audrey McCool, Methods, Inc., of Los Altos, as vice the shuttle program compromised by CDR McCool’s mother said: We’re very president and research scientist. There budget cuts and cost-cutting? distressed, but we want the space mis- she formed and headed a research team I support a strong space program, but sions to go on. that made important advances in com- you can’t do it on the cheap. Were safe- What strong women these grieving putational field dynamics, particularly ty warnings ignored or, worse yet, sup- mothers are. We can surely be inspired in streamlining the flow of air over ve- pressed? Were members of NASA’s safe- by them, as well as their sons and the hicles during launch. ty advisory board removed after rais- entire Columbia crew. Like Willie McCool, Kalpana Chawla ing these questions? I am reminded of a poem that came had character traits that are often as- Yesterday, the New York Times re- about as a result of a revolution in Ire- sociated with California such as a great ported that five members of NASA’s land. The poem that came from that I sense of adventure and a desire to Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel—that have on my desk. I read to the Senate stretch the boundaries in her case of is more than half the panel—were dis- today ‘‘The Mother.’’ traditional women’s work—and she did. missed shortly after warning about I do not grudge them: Lord, I do not grudge Rick Husband, Columbia’s com- safety problems. And a sixth member My two strong sons that I have seen go out mander, served as an instructor pilot of the panel was so disgusted with the To break their strength and die, they and a and academic instructor at George Air dismissals that he quit. There are alle- few, Force Base in California and attended gations that these panelists were re- In bloody protest for a glorious thing. test pilot school at Edwards Air Force moved as a result of their critical They shall be spoken of among their people, Base in California. Working through a statements about safety problems. We The generations shall remember them, college extension program at Edwards, need to get to the bottom of this mat- And call them blessed; The little names that were familiar once he then earned a master’s degree in ter. I have written to Senator MCCAIN Round my dead hearth. mechanical engineering from Cali- and Senator HOLLINGS, the chair and Lord, thou art hard on mothers: fornia State University at Fresno in ranking member of the Commerce We suffer in their coming and their going: 1990. In November 2002, citing his role Committee on which I serve. I have And tho’ I grudge them not, I weary, weary as astronaut and mission commander, asked them to invite the members of Of the long sorrow—And yet I have my joy: the Fresno State Alumni Association the safety advisory panel, many of My sons were faithful, and they fought. honored Colonel Husband at its Top whom were fired, one of whom quit, to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Dog Alumni Awards ceremony. A proud give their testimony. ator from California. Fresno State alumnus, he wore his red I also asked that Senator John Glenn Mrs. BOXER. I ask unanimous con- Bulldog sweatshirt in space aboard Co- be invited. He is a major supporter of sent immediately following my re- lumbia. the space program and he really has marks, Senator ENZI be recognized for The people of my State are proud of important things to say. I spoke with 8 minutes, and Senator LEAHY for 10 our connection to these three astro- him. I don’t even want to quote what minutes after Senator ENZI. nauts. We honor their memory, along he said because I think he knows so The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without with that of their crewmates, Michael much and should say it in his own way, objection, it is so ordered. Anderson, David Brown, Laurel Clark, as to what we need to do here. As a Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise on and Ilan Ramon. We know, of course, former Senator and as an astronaut, he behalf of the people of my State, Cali- since we did have an Israeli on board, brings an incredible expertise to the fornia, who have very strong ties to the this has become an international trag- table. I know he has the respect of all space program and the shuttle pro- edy. We send our condolences to the my colleagues on both sides of the gram. Today I pay tribute to the seven family of Astronaut Ramon and to the aisle. astronauts who lost their lives in the Government of Israel. Let me say there is one thing that is Columbia disaster. Our Nation and the I stated how proud my people at not an issue in my mind and that is the world deeply mourn their loss. These home are of our connection, not only future of the manned space program. I seven brave explorers—Rick Husband, to these astronauts but to the shuttle strongly support that. But now is the William McCool, Michael Anderson, program. California was the birthplace time to use this moment to examine Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, Laurel of the shuttle. All were built in Cali- the future of space exploration. For ex- Clark, and Ilan Ramon—gave their fornia, in Palmdale. The Jet Propul- ample, what is the future role of the lives to extend the frontiers of science. sion Lab in Pasadena was instrumental space shuttle? Are the existing shuttles With their mission accomplished, the in development of the shuttle, and sufficient to carry out the mission? Are shuttle and its crew were returning to most years, shuttle missions ended they in good enough condition—excel- Earth in triumph. So near to landing, with landings at Edwards Air Force lent condition, perfect condition—to yet so far. As we all know, the flight Base. carry those men and women in the fu- ended in tragedy. So this has hit home to us. We shall ture? What is the role of the Inter- We know that we gained valuable forever honor and remember these national Space Station? Is too great a new knowledge and understanding of seven heroes, as we build on their ac- share of our limited resources being space from this mission, from Columbia. complishments and carry on their im- spent on the space station? Is too much But we have lost something that is portant work. May God bless their money on the space station being spent truly priceless, the lives of seven out- memories and comfort their families on maintenance rather than scientific standing men and women who had and colleagues and inspire future ex- experiments? worlds left to conquer. As we look at plorers with the courage to follow in I have read that the astronauts are their faces, our best and our brightest, their footsteps. saying they are scientists and they are we grieve for their families. As we honor these courageous men spending 80 percent of their time on I wish to say a few words about three and women, we must also begin the the platform, on the space station, of the astronauts who had special con- task of finding the answers—answers to keeping house, doing maintenance on nections with my home State of Cali- the hard questions why and how do we the space station rather than the ex- fornia. prevent these happenings—questions periments they really want to do. William McCool, pilot of the Colum- about the cause of this tragedy and What about a possible manned mis- bia, was born in San Diego, where he also about the future of space explo- sion to Mars, which seems to have dis- spent much of his first 15 years. His ration. As a member of the Senate appeared from anyone’s agenda? Most

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G04FE6.008 S04PT1 February 4, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1851 fundamentally, how do we recommit commitment, as I am sure it does your watch it as the miracle of television ourselves to a space program that cap- commitment, Mr. President, that we brought the wonders of space flight to tures the imagination of America, and must protect this planet—the air, the our homes and our schools. what would this take in terms of fund- water, the forests, and the wetlands. Competition was with the Russians. ing its goals? They are a gift from God. But now there is cooperation with the So we need to ask all these questions In memory of those who lost their Russians in space and with the space and we need to get the answers. We lives this weekend, we will continue to station. have to work together, across party explore and we will continue to reach Our efforts to explore space and the lines, to come up with this vision. for the stars. We should do no less. continuing impact of seeing it all live Whatever we come up with, it needs to Thank you very much, Mr. President. on television made for a powerful pair be funded, funded in a way so safety I yield the floor. as we heard the words of John F. Ken- will never be at issue; we will know The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under nedy as he challenged the Nation to that we have done every single thing the previous order, the Senator from land a man on the moon. His vision led we could possibly do. Wyoming is recognized. us onward and upward. And it wasn’t The family of Columbia’s crew has Mr. ENZI. Thank you, Mr. President. all that long afterwards that my wife said, ‘‘the bold exploration of space I thank the Senator from California for and I—newlyweds—felt a personal must go on.’’ I fully agree with them. the challenges which she placed before stake in what we saw on the television But it sits on our shoulders, those of us us as well as the memories to which before us. We sat spellbound as we here who are called upon to fund this she spoke. watched Neil Armstrong take his one program, to make sure we are funding Today, here in the Senate and the small step on the Moon that meant so it in the right way; that we are not House, in Houston, TX, all across the much for all mankind. wasting dollars but that the dollars are country, and in places throughout the Neil Armstrong was part of a long going to ensure that the program’s world, people of all faiths and from all line of astronauts who braved the odds goals are met; that there are clear walks of life will take a moment to re- to do the impossible as, together as a goals; and that safety comes first. member the tragic loss of the crew of nation, we reached for greatness. Over Over the past two decades, shuttle the Space Shuttle Columbia this past the years, there had been disappoint- crews have carried out scores of experi- weekend. As we do, we will put aside ments, failures and tragedies, but with ments in space that have helped to ad- our differences and come together as a each success we felt like we had a grip vance science on Earth. For example, family to remember those who were on the process and that the odds would they have studied the effects of gravity lost and the great cause for which they be forever in our favor. on humans, animals, and plants. They gave their lives. Somewhere along the way in the have tracked the movement of fault For me, the story of this past week- years that passed, we forgot that space lines on the Earth’s crust, something end’s events begins when I was growing is a cold, unfriendly place and that very important to many of our States, up—a Boy Scout who was fascinated by space flight brings with it great risks particularly mine. They have gauged rockets and rocketry. That interest and dangers as well as great rewards. the impact of typhoons and other continued to show itself as I became a We forgot the lesson learned from the storms. They have measured changes of young man who was fascinated by the early days of the space program—that forest cover in remote areas of Alaska two latest creations of the day—tele- when we dream great dreams and and Canada. And they have helped ar- vision and the start of our space pro- achieve great successes, we are also chaeologists locate the long lost city of gram. As science worked to develop the courting great danger. Umar, a 4,000-year-old settlement on tools we would need to explore outer We think of the shuttle as an air- the Arabian peninsula. space, television gave us all a front row plane. And we know how safe airplanes Many shuttle missions have included seat so we would see what was hap- are. That danger was brought painfully medical researchers who used the envi- pening. home when we launched the Space ronment of space to further their un- Back then, the early successes in Shuttle Challenger. derstanding of cell growth, human me- rocketry—mostly by Russia—fired our All at once and without warning, the tabolism, and a variety of diseases. imaginations and steeled our will to reliable space machine we had come to We have much to be proud of in these win the race to reach the heavens. It trust and take for granted blew up and days as we mourn. was only natural for me and the people disintegrated before our eyes. I will join Chairman MCCAIN and the of Wyoming to feel so moved. After all, I remember that day so well because other members of the Commerce Com- we were the products of the pioneer it was the day we were to send our first mittee in seeking to determine the spirit. Our ancestors had left the com- educator into space, Christa McAuliffe. cause of the Columbia disaster and out- forts of the East behind and headed In schools all over the country, chil- lining the steps we must take to avoid West looking for a new life and to ex- dren and their teachers watched its recurrence. At the same time, I will plore what was then the new frontier. excitedly as a school teacher prepared work to define the goals and the mis- They were pioneers. to make her voyage into space. When it sion of the space program and make As television became a more common ended in tragedy, a lot of fathers and sure the funding is there for accom- addition to our homes, it brought the mothers sat down that night with their plishing the mission in the safest pos- next new frontier—space—into our children to talk about what they had sible way. very living rooms. Each day we could seen at school that day. They got a lot In closing, I can’t help but remark see the latest events of the day that of tough questions from little children that their faces—those beautiful were happening around the world with sad eyes who wondered why these faces—will stay with me for a long beamed right into our living rooms. We things have to happen. time, and that they represent the hope watched in fascination as things that Mothers and fathers have no answers and the promise of our future. were happening miles and miles away for those questions and they can only Mr. President, as you sit with me on were seen right in the comfort of our say that sometimes bad things happen the Foreign Relations Committee, I own homes. For me, the stars of the to good people. They can only hug and know all of our Members on both sides sky came in second place in impor- hold and remind their little ones that are very concerned that we protect the tance only to the stars of the space there is a God and somehow He works lives of not only our young people but program. Me and all of my friends, es- all things for His good. Someday we young people all over the world, and pecially those who had been in the may know what that good is. But for that we will find a way to do that Scouts, wanted to be just like them. now, all we can do is trust and hope which makes sense for our stronger Na- I still remember the days when we and pray. tion. would go to a local field and work on Now we have felt that pain for a sec- We are reminded when we read what our own experiments in rocketry. ond time. The first brought us an the astronauts say every time a dif- Then, as we grew older, when a new awareness of the risks we take in ex- ferent astronaut goes up: what a fragile flight was announced by NASA, we ploring the unknown. It reminded us planet we live on. It always renews my would grab the first chance we had to that despite the best of planning and

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G04FE6.013 S04PT1 S1852 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 2003 preparation sometimes things happen throughout the State of Vermont this teachers, their classmates, and their that we could never have possibly pre- past weekend while I was home— fellow astronauts tell of the barriers pared for. Now we watch these events whether it was people who stopped me they had to overcome in their lives and unfold for a second time with a dif- in a grocery store and just wanted to the almost superhuman rise above ferent sense—and from a different per- reach out and touch somebody—per- senseless bias and discrimination. They spective. We remember the risks of haps we would embrace for a moment— will be missed, but they will continue space flight. But, as we mourn those or whether it was coming out of mass to stand as models. I hope we will con- who were lost, we renew our feeling of on Sunday at the church, where the tinue to read of their stories because determination and our resolve to suc- same thing occurred—the people have they are role models for us here in the ceed no matter the odds or the obsta- felt such sorrow and shock. There is no United States, but also for those in cles to be overcome. other way you could express yourself. Israel, as with COL Ramon, and for The crews of the Challenger and the Those of us who have grown up seeing those in India, and really for everyone Columbia—those modern day pioneers— the space program have seen so many across the globe. will be forever linked in our minds, of the triumphs. I still remember our Someone said: This is such a public tied together by the same terrible help- own colleague, Senator John Glenn, a tragedy. But that is the way the space lessness we felt as we watched both man I was elected with in the same program has been. We have shown pub- tragedies unfold. Each time we year, in his amazing orbit of the Earth. licly our triumphs, and we have shown searched for answers that we knew Then later, when he was well into his publicly our disasters. We have shown would never come. In the end, each 70s, he had another trip as an astro- the fears and the overwhelming thrills time we found ourselves more deter- naut. We saw that too. We saw man’s over the years. mined than ever before to move ahead, first steps on the moon, of which every I close with this, Mr. President: To and to continue the exploration of one of us remembers exactly where we remind everybody we are at the bicen- space that must never end. And, in the were when that occurred. We also re- tennial of the congressional authoriza- end, that is the important lesson we member exactly where we were when tion for the Lewis and Clark explo- will take with us. We may experience the Challenger was destroyed. And I ration of the West, when President defeat, but we will never be defeated. suspect we will always remember ex- Thomas Jefferson said: Go forth to ex- In this and all we pursue in life, we will actly where we were when we got the plore the West and our boundaries. And ultimately succeed as long as we hold news about the Columbia space shuttle. the Congress said to go forth. Lewis and Clark knew no frontiers. true to our dreams and follow our star. Today we are so connected automati- And the success is far-reaching. I cally, with live television, radio, and They did not know what they would find. And these astronauts knew no have a heart repair that would not friends and neighbors calling us when frontiers. We Americans have never have been possible without the space something such as this happens, a trag- known frontiers. program. Science moves on, stimulated edy which unites not only the whole So we will find the cause of Colum- country but the whole world. Every- by the unknown and represented by bia’s loss. We will fix it. The shuttle space. body seems to know it almost imme- program will continue. The manned When the crew of the Challenger died, diately. space program will move forward. We President Reagan comforted the Na- So, as so many other Senators, I rise will return to space. It is our destiny, to pay tribute to the seven astronauts tion with the words that the crew that I believe. And there, in the spirit of the who lost their lives in the Columbia had slipped the surly bonds of Earth seven, we will again invest our knowl- tragedy last Saturday morning. Here had reached out and touched the face edge and resources to learn about our of God. This past weekend, President was this magnificent space vessel, with origins, our daily lives, and, maybe, Bush assured us that the ‘‘God who these seven wonderful, exemplary catch a glimpse of the future. names the stars also knows the names human beings, streaking across the sky I see my friend from Oregon in the of the seven souls we mourn today.’’ dozens of miles above the Earth at Chamber. I yield the floor. Then and now, both crews left us eight times the speed of sound; and The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. with our eyes gazing toward the skies then, suddenly, Columbia disintegrated. DOLE). The Senator from Oregon. and the heavens above, hopeful and A clergyman in Florida aptly de- Mr. SMITH. Madam President, I ex- prayerful that if they had to leave us, scribed the fiery contrails we watched press admiration for Senator LEAHY’s they had done so in pursuit of a better repeatedly on Saturday as: ‘‘a glis- words and for the contribution that place as they returned, not to Earth, tening tear across the face of the heav- many of our colleagues will make in but to their home in God’s holy heav- ens.’’ There is nothing I could write this Chamber to try to give expression en. that would say it any better. to their own feelings and, more impor- This night, and the next, and for We were and are sad not only because tantly, to the feelings of those who re- many to come, when we go out on our of the loss of these heroes and the side in our respective States. back porch or sit in the backyard and interruption of space exploration, but I am mindful that in each one’s own look up at the stars, we will remember because this tragedy reminds us of way and on one’s own terms, every the Challenger and the Columbia and other astronauts who have paid the ul- American—every Oregonian, suffers their valiant crews. The lights of the timate price. from the Columbia tragedy. All I can do sky will remind us of their indomitable As with every national tragedy, we is reflect on what I feel, but I think spirit and our pledge that as long as rise from the shock and the sadness that in saying what I will today, it is there are stars in the skies, we will through commemoration and persever- similar to what many also feel. never stop reaching out to them to ex- ance. We heard the President of the As an American citizen, as someone plore, to dare and to dream in space United States, who spoke shortly after who is 50 years old, I have always and on Earth. That is our life, our leg- the tragedy, and again eloquently taken particular pride that we are de- acy and our shared vision as Ameri- today, as did others in Texas. The scended from Pilgrims and pioneers. cans. It is what makes us unique, and President tells us—and we know in our We have a history, a heritage, a legacy it is why our nation will always be hearts—we cannot forget these heroes: that stretches from Columbus to Co- known as the land of the free and the Rick Husband, William McCool, Mi- lumbia. We are the children of an Amer- home of the brave. chael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana ican spirit that believes in discovery, I yield the floor. Chawla, Laurel Blair Salton Clark, and in development, in pioneering new The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Ilan Ramon. Each represented a special ways, and exploring new frontiers. the previous order, the Senator from kind of intelligence, dedication and en- I remember, as a young boy, the ex- Vermont is recognized. ergy we should all aspire to, and cer- perience of hearing about the Russian Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, as I lis- tainly all young people in this country launch of Sputnik, and seeing the sat- ten to my friend from Wyoming and should aspire to. ellite in the sky as it made its way my friend from California and others Over and over we have read their bi- over the American continent. who are speaking in this Chamber ographies, their stories. We have heard With particular wonder, I remember, today, I am reminded of what I heard their neighbors, their friends, their as an elementary school boy, how

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04FE6.007 S04PT1 February 4, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1853 Weekly Reader—which was something saw how tragic death loomed for them, Terms such as courage, bravery, and we would always spend time learning I am sure they wondered how they pioneer are not afforded to those who from—began to fill with stories of our could endure time without their loved take no risk and who sit on the side- own space program. one. This monument said: Time is too lines and watch. No, those terms are I remember, like many of my col- slow for those who wait, too swift for reserved for people and nations willing leagues, taking inspiration from the those who fear, too long for those who to take risks in order to learn and ad- leadership of John F. Kennedy chal- grieve, too short for those who rejoice, vance the knowledge of all mankind. lenging us in pursuit of the new fron- but for those who love, time is eter- As President Reagan said, in the face tier and in a man landing on the moon nity. of the loss of the Space Shuttle Chal- and his safe return. I add my voice to those of my col- lenger, ‘‘The future doesn’t belong to I remember, with great pride, the leagues here today to say God bless the the fainthearted; it belongs to the launch of Alan Shepherd as part of the memory of Rick Husband, William brave.’’ The seven astronauts who pi- Mercury program, just to see if man McCool, Michael Anderson, Kalpana loted the Space Shuttle Columbia heard could live in outer space. Chawla, David Brown, Laurel Clark, that call and will forever be remem- I remember, as an elementary school and Ilan Ramon of Israel. To them I bered for their bravery. boy, attending the parade that was say: Godspeed. No American relishes the loss of life held in Washington, DC for John The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- and the sacrifice of those courageous Glenn. Little did I realize that one day ator from Utah. astronauts. But every American is I would have the privilege of serving Mr. HATCH. Madam President, I thankful for the willingness of these with John Glenn in the U.S. Senate. I thank my colleague from Hawaii for al- astronauts to press forward—even when remember his parade down Pennsyl- lowing me to proceed ahead of him. I the risks are so great—in order to pro- vania Avenue and how we, as a new certainly appreciate his kindness. vide more knowledge and nurture a generation of Americans, celebrated I rise today to salute the seven astro- new generation of scientists who are the renewing of the American spirit of nauts aboard the Space Shuttle Colum- inspired to look at the universe dif- exploration. bia who lost their lives as they endeav- ferently every time astronauts venture I remember following with great in- ored to conquer the vast unknown of into the darkness of space. terest the Apollo program and being in- space. The space program is so vitally im- spired by the remarkable realization I would like to take a moment to portant to our Nation’s science edu- that two Americans were on the Moon. praise the work of Commander Rick cation. Every year, bright, energetic, Neil Armstrong is a hero, the first to Husband, Pilot William McCool, Mis- wide-eyed students enter the Nation’s make that small step for man but that sion Specialist Kalpana Chawla, Mis- school systems and are motivated by giant leap for mankind. I remember the sion Specialist David Brown, Mission the new scientific findings in our uni- pride I felt when the Apollo program Specialist Michael Anderson, Mission verse. They grow to love science, a love was merged with the Soyuz program Specialist Laurel Clark, and Payload that will stay with them throughout and began to break down the cold war Specialist Ilan Ramon. their lives and continue to propel our These great heroes will always be re- barriers with Russia. Then, of course, Nation’s scientific discoveries into the membered for their willingness to the space shuttle came and we watched future. carry the hopes and aspirations of a with awe as this new configuration of We cannot let that love die. It is our country with them into space, even the space program inspired us all in the duty to push the envelope, to explore though they made the ultimate sac- new possibilities of learning and dis- the outer reaches of our universe. Inno- covery. rifice for their efforts. I know the months and years ahead vation and determination shape our I don’t think any of us will forget will be filled with debate over many scientific future and the space program that day that Challenger went down and issues surrounding this tragedy. is such a crucial part of that. the heartache we felt as it exploded Certainly, we will hear questions My home State of Utah has long been upon its launch. Now we add the mem- asked about the ongoing funding of actively engaged in America’s space ory of watching Columbia disintegrate NASA and the safety concerns sur- program. Our own Richfield, UT native, as it reemerged into the Earth’s atmos- rounding such adventurous explo- former Senator, and my friend, Astro- phere. ration. naut Jake Garn, left Cape Canaveral on Where do we go from here? As we The Nation will need answers to the Space Shuttle Discovery in April stand on the verge of a foreign conflict these questions. 1985 and return to earth over 6 days and struggle with our economy, it is Hearings should be held. Investiga- later after having orbited the earth 110 entirely appropriate for Congress to tions should be conducted. But in the times. look at the space program and, with final analysis, let us not forget how As well, ATK, a leading-edge aero- our President, set new goals. I hope valuable the space program is to our space company based in Utah provides they will include a space station, even country and to the American spirit. state-of-the-art solid rocket motors a Moon station, and eventually a land- I would like to ask my colleagues, which makes the idea of people being ing on the planet of Mars. That reflects administration officials, and NASA to able to fly through space a reality. the highest standards of American proceed with their investigations in a Utah’s contribution to the success of leadership. This demonstrates Amer- prudent manner and return our astro- our Nation’s space program goes on ica’s courage and it will firmly fix, in nauts to space as soon as possible. and on, but let it suffice to say, that the firmament of heaven, America’s I would like to see a renewed focus the entire State of Utah mourns for the place among the leadership of nations. for NASA, a focus that would rival loss of these brave astronauts. We pray My final thoughts are to the families. President Kennedy’s challenge to be for their families and those they have As we witnessed the ceremony today, the first Nation to send a man to the left behind. we all grieve for the parents and the moon. Now is not the time to take a huge children of these astronauts who have This can only be done by pressing step backward in our space program lost their parent or their child. I am re- forward with bold new space initiatives and send the message to the next gen- minded of an admonition that the only and not by prolonged critiquing and eration of Americans that when things way to take sorrow out of death is to endless investigations. get hard or when plans go wrong, we take love out of life. Death often looms Just the mention of the word ‘‘space’’ should give up . . . give up and let our as the ultimate calamity, but it need conveys so many special meanings to dreams and aspirations fall victim to a not be if we keep it in perspective of each of us. task that appears hopelessly difficult. eternity. Thoughts of heroes such as Buzz No, now is not that time. Some time ago, I was attracted to a Aldrin and Neil Armstrong come im- Now is the time when we need to monument I saw in England. Its words mediately to mind. In many ways, our stare adversity in the face. Learn from seem appropriate at this occasion. Nation is defined by the adventurous past mistakes. Refocus our vision on They were about time. As I looked at space program which has been a part of what we can accomplish by working to- these families who are suffering and our national heritage for over 40 years. gether toward a unified goal. Now is

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G04FE6.016 S04PT1 S1854 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 2003 the time to raise a new generation of nations in the peaceful exploration of cination with exploring, discovering, or heroes and teach them how to over- space and progress of scientific inquiry. dreaming to wane. For by reaffirming come difficult circumstances. The Columbia crew, like most of the our resolve to explore the wonders and Yes, America will continue its space men and women in our space program, mysteries of the universe, we honor the program. We will be more than mere came to NASA as successful and re- memory of the Columbia’s crew, and the spectators of the universe. We will be spected leaders from their respective memory of all those astronauts who active participants and we will train a professions. As scientists, doctors, sur- lost their lives in our Nation’s endeav- new generation of explorers who will geons, aviators, and military officers, or to understand outer space. build on the foundation laid by these they sought to share their expertise in I yield the floor and suggest the ab- great astronauts abroad the Space the service of our Nation and mankind. sence of a quorum. Shuttle Columbia. Who knows what this In the decades since Sputnik and John The PRESIDING OFFICER. The new generation may discover? With the Glenn’s orbital mission of the earth in clerk will call the roll. rapid pace of technological advances the Friendship 7, people around the The legislative clerk proceeded to and the courage to conquer the un- world have been fascinated with possi- call the roll. known, it is sure to be something bilities of space exploration. The shut- Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I ask great. tle program opened the reality of space unanimous consent that the order for Elaine and I send our very strongest exploration to astronauts from many the quorum call be rescinded. condolences to the families of the as- nations and caught the interest of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tronauts who have lost their lives in young people around the world. objection, it is so ordered. the service of their country. We will Colonel Ramon, Israel’s first astro- Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask pray for those families and pray that naut and one of his nation’s premier unanimous consent that the time somehow they will be comforted in this air force pilots, captured the imagina- under the quorum calls be equally di- hour of need. tion of the Israeli people. His participa- vided; in addition, I ask unanimous I personally know what it is like to tion in the shuttle program stirred a consent that the previous quorum calls lose a member of the family while serv- great sense of pride and hope in a na- be equally divided. ing our country. My older brother was tion that has endured so much conflict The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without killed in the Second World War at the and violence over the past two years. objection, it is so ordered. Ploesti oil raid that helped to knock Dr. Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian- Mr. AKAKA. I thank the Chair. I sug- out Hitler’s oil supply. It was a very born woman to go into space, is a na- gest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The difficult thing for our family, and it tional heroine in India and a great in- clerk will call the roll. still is. In the last month, I have been spiration to young people in both that The legislative clerk proceeded to reading the letters he wrote to my land of her birth and her adopted home, call the roll. mother and I have gotten to know him especially young women and girls who Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I better than I ever thought I would—as saw Dr. Chawla as a role model for the ask unanimous consent that the order a person who gave his life for us and possibilities and opportunities avail- for the quorum call be rescinded. did it willingly so that we might be able to them. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without free. As we mourn the loss of these brave objection, it is so ordered. These astronauts have given their individuals, men and women who will- Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I lives for us and they have given them ingly assumed the risk of space travel join my colleagues in expressing our willingly, helping us to be free, to have in their dedication to science and the gratefulness to the seven heroes who a better society, to explore in this day expansion of human knowledge to new were lost on the Space Shuttle Colum- and age, much like Lewis and Clark did frontiers, we are reminded of the bia Saturday as they completed a mis- in their day and age, the outreaches of human spirit for exploration and dis- sion of science to benefit the world. the universe and help us to gain sci- covery. Indeed, the quintessential trait I also share my thoughts and prayers entifically every step of the way. I am of the American national character is with the families they’ve left behind. grateful to them and their families and the sense of adventure and curiosity Over the past few days, we have seen I pray for them. that led pioneers and homesteaders an outpouring of support from people I yield the floor. westward, impelled men and women in all over the world for these seven re- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Europe and Asia to emigrate to a new, markable individuals, and the work ator from Hawaii is recognized. vast, and unknown Nation with only they carried out so selflessly. Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I rise the promise of opportunity and pros- From formal memorial services—like today to join my colleagues on this sad perity, and embraced President Ken- the one held in Houston today—to and solemn afternoon to honor the nedy’s challenge to put a man on the more spontaneous tributes throughout lives of our brave astronaut heroes: the moon. America, Israel, India and other na- seven crew members of the Space Shut- America has been peopled by men tions, people around the world have tle Columbia who were lost Saturday and women driven by this spirit, and it shared their words of loss and apprecia- morning on their return from a 16-day is a quality we greatly admire and re- tion. scientific mission in outer space. spect in our leaders and fellow citizens. Frankly, there is little I can add to As we honor the memory of the Co- The crew of the Columbia fully under- the chorus of eloquent voices we have lumbia crew, Shuttle Commander Rick stood that there are many dangers as- heard over the past few days. Husband, Pilot William McCool, Pay- sociated with space flight, but looked But what I can do—and what I am load Commander Michael Anderson, beyond them while seeking to bring honored to do on behalf of the people I Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla, forth wisdom and reason from the vast represent—is to share with the Senate Mission Specialist David Brown, Mis- unknown through space exploration how two members of this amazing crew sion Specialist Laurel Clark, and Pay- and research. The crew understood that touched the lives of many in my home load Specialist Ilan Ramon, I send my the experiments they were conducting State of Washington. heartfelt sympathy to their families on a wide array of medical and sci- Columbia pilot William McCool was a and loved ones. entific subjects held the promise of Commander in the United States Navy. This is a national and international major scientific advancements and He served two tours at Naval Air Sta- tragedy that has brought people and benefit to mankind. tion Whidbey Island in Washington nations around the globe together in In the coming weeks and months, we State. grief and remembrance. The men and must investigate what caused this Commander McCool was an EA–6B women onboard the Columbia epito- tragedy and ensure that manned space pilot serving in both the Tactical Elec- mized the best and brightest our coun- flight is safe for our men and women tronic Warfare Squadron 133 and the try has to offer, and the participation who dedicate their lives to space explo- Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron of other nations in the shuttle program ration. As we scour the earth for an- 132. illustrates the collaboration and inter- swers to this tragedy, we must not lose His colleague, Columbia Payload connection between America and other sight of the heavens, or allow our fas- Commander Michael Anderson, was a

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04FE6.010 S04PT1 February 4, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1855 Lieutenant Colonel in the United Church in Spokane gathered to worship tion seeks answers to the Columbia States Air Force. Colonel Anderson had and pay tribute to him. Michael Ander- tragedy, and we will join them in hon- long ties to the Spokane area in Wash- son and his family are long time mem- oring their loved ones as space explo- ington State. bers of the congregation. ration and discovery go forward. Willie Both of these astronauts touched Speaking of Lieutenant Colonel An- McCool, Michael Anderson, and all of lives in Washington State. Both were derson, Reverend Freeman Simmons our Columbia astronauts gave so much accomplished pilots. Both were pillars offered words of comfort to friends of of their lives in service and explo- in their communities. Both were strong the Anderson family. ration. Our task now is to ensure their family members. Reverend Freedom said, spirit continues to deliver the wonders On Saturday afternoon, I called the He belonged to more than his family, more of space that they explored on our be- Commander of the Naval Air Station than his race, more than his different affili- half. Whidbey Island. Over the years, I have ations. He belonged to this age. I continue with the words from Willie had an opportunity to work with the Michael Anderson was born in New McCool in an e-mail message to his col- fine crews at NAS Whidbey Island. I York State. He and his family came to leagues at NAS Whidbey. Commander have shared both good times and bad Spokane, WA, during his father’s Air McCool spoke of seeing the Sun rise times with them. When I called on Sat- Force service at Fairchild Air Force and set on the Earth from space and urday just a few hours after the dis- Base. He graduated from Cheney High wrote: aster, I knew the air crews and the School and came across the Cascades The colors are stunning. families would be struggling with Com- to attend the University of Wash- In a single view, I see—looking out at the mander McCool’s death. ington. At UW, Anderson earned de- edge of the earth: I spoke with Captain Steven Black. I red at the horizon line, grees in both physics and astronomy. blending to orange and yellow, had expected to hear stories of Willie He went on to a career in the Air Force followed by a thin white line, McCool’s service at NAS Whidbey ear- as pilot and was selected to join NASA then light blue, lier in his distinguished career. I heard gradually turning to dark blue and the space program in 1994. and various gradually darker shades of that—and so much more—as Captain Lieutenant Colonel Anderson was one Black told me about this man who was grey of the veterans aboard Columbia. He then black and a million stars above. so revered by his fellow Naval airmen previously spent 211 hours in space on It’s breathtaking. at Whidbey. the 89th shuttle mission in 1998 to the Madam President, I yield the floor. Willie was a role model to young fly- Russian space station MIR. On that The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ers at Whidbey. They all followed his mission, Anderson traveled 3.6 million ator from Virginia. career and his many accomplishments miles in 138 orbits around the Earth Mr. ALLEN. I ask unanimous consent in the Air Force and as an astronaut aboard the shuttle Endeavor. that the distinguished senior Senator with NASA. Aboard the Columbia, Payload Com- from Virginia and I be recognized for a Captain Black told me about his re- mander Anderson was responsible for time not to exceed 20 minutes to en- cent E-mails with Commander McCool. gage in a colloquy, and that it be Just 2 days before, Commander the incredible science being conducted charged against the time of the major- McCool took the time to E-mail his during the mission. His mission was to ity. friends and colleagues at Whidbey. manage 79 experiments on behalf of several space agencies and school chil- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Whidbey Island had an effect on Willie objection, it is so ordered. McCool. And Willie McCool had an im- dren in many countries. Michael Anderson considered Spo- Mr. ALLEN. Madam President, I join pact on NAS Whidbey Island that lives with my colleague, Senator WARNER, on in the mission and the talents of the kane his hometown, and Spokane is proud of his service. Today, all across on this sad day, not just for America Naval personnel serving there. but for the world. It is a day on which As Captain Black told a reporter, Spokane, the community has posted its respect and admiration for our lost as- we commemorate and honor the lives Willie flew the skies of Washington state. of the seven courageous astronauts. We He was a talented pilot. He was very enthusi- tronauts. One sign on Division Street astic about his work. He had a contagious reads, ‘‘NASA we mourn with you.’’ are joined together in honoring the sense of awe and wonder at the science be- Another reads, ‘‘Remember our Astro- lives of these courageous individuals hind the flying he loved. nauts.’’ who dedicated their lives and decided And Commander McCool touched Lieutenant Colonel Anderson’s many to use their talents to reach high; to lives in communities beyond NAS contributions to space and science will reach for high ideals, and who assumed Whidbey. live as a lasting tribute to an accom- the risks of these dangers in a very One of those communities is plished and heroic American. Let me noble effort to improve our quality of Anacortes, WA, where he and his fam- mention just one. life here on Earth. ily lived and continue to own a home. Following Michael’s successful 1998 This is a day of admiration. It is a Anacortes is north of Oak Harbor and shuttle mission, he returned to Wash- day of inspiration for us and for the NAS Whidbey. It is a small town that ington State and the Spokane area. In NASA people who care so much about took immense pride in having Com- May 1998, he want back to his alma this tragedy, the loss of these heroes. mander McCool as a neighbor, a parent, mater, Cheney High School. He shared We all watched in horror as they were and a fellow outdoorsman. Commander his experiences with students and he trying to come back into our atmos- McCool’s appreciation for Anacortes returned a school pennant which he phere. The tragic disaster was more and the local community was with him had taken with him into space on that than just a loss for us in the United on the Columbia mission. first mission. States, but it was a loss for the entire He took with him a Douglas Fir Cone One of the teachers described his ap- world community—whose diversity, in- from the Little Cranberry Lake area. pearance at a school assembly saying: genuity, and skill are reflected in the That cone represented the seeds of a fu- His message to the kids was so upbeat and members of this historic crew. ture generation. so positive. ‘‘It doesn’t matter what your Our hearts ache for the grieving but Commander McCool’s commitment dream is. If you are willing to chart the amazingly brave families of these he- and service to future generations is course, if you are willing to do what it takes, roes who perished in this catastrophic now represented on the sign outside of you can achieve your dreams.’’ When that failure. As we go through the list of Fidalgo Elementary School. That sign assembly was over, no one wanted to leave. those on the shuttle we see Rick Hus- says, ‘‘Fidalgo salutes a legacy of a They all wanted to stay and talk to Mike. band, Commander; Pilot William good friend, Commander William Both of these men left families. McCool; Michael Anderson; CDR McCool.’’ These men were spouses, fathers, com- Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist Let me now turn to another Columbia munity leaders, role models in service Laurel Clark; Mission Specialist Ilan hero with ties to Washington State, to our country. They will be missed by Ramon of Israel; and David M. Brown, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Anderson. their families and a grateful nation. We Mission Specialist 1 and Navy captain On Sunday morning, parishioners of will stand with the families as they from Arlington, VA, a Virginia resi- the Morning Star Missionary Baptist grieve. We will be with them as the Na- dent, born and raised in Virginia, he

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04FE6.012 S04PT1 S1856 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 2003 went to college at the College of Wil- involved in that error because he knew about those who made the sacrifice. I liam and Mary after attending York- everyone was trying to do the best job thank the Senator for the privilege of town High School, and was graduated they could. serving with him. from Eastern Virginia Medical School He talked about NASA, about how Mr. ALLEN. I thank the Senator. in Norfolk, VA. they cared about, for example, specifi- Mr. WARNER. Madam President, it Our thoughts and prayers are with all cally, one of the culprits or suspected is interesting; as the two of us ap- these families. But for my colleagues culprits in this tragedy, which was that proached the floor, a reporter paused in to get to know the character of these piece of foam that hit the left wing. a very courteous way to ask me some families, where they came from, it is His brother—and he communicated questions. He is doing a study on the important that I share with you my with him by e-mail when he was up in demographics of the Senate, and in conversation with David’s brother space—had actually taken photographs particular on the number of Senators Doug. David’s brother was the only of that wing because they were con- who have had an opportunity to serve family member who was waiting for cerned about it. in uniform. I expressed an opinion that him when he was to land in Florida. I said: Did those photographs get I have expressed many times to a simi- It is a family of achievers. His fa- back? lar request. I find that, while it has its ther—it would have been very difficult He said: No, they didn’t send those advantages, there is certainly no dis- for him to get down there because his photographs back. But that will be advantage to those who have not had father is in a wheelchair. His father part of the investigation, at least his the opportunity to serve in uniform. I contracted polio at the age of 5. It oral description of the situation. think we all learn very quickly how to never deterred him. He became a judge. I said: As we are trying to figure this address the responsibilities we have He campaigned, somehow, door to door, out and trying to learn from it, what with respect to the men and women of and then was appointed as a circuit would he say? the Armed Forces of the United States. court judge, where he served honorably He said: Gosh, you have to under- But in the few steps that I took walk- and expertly for 20 years, watching a stand, GEORGE—he said GEORGE, not ing to the Chamber, I say to my col- great deal of growth and trans- Senator ALLEN. We are on a friendly league, I did reflect momentarily on formation in Northern Virginia. basis. He said: You have to understand two brief periods that I was privileged David’s brother Doug, with whom I my brother David was a football play- to serve in uniform at the very end of spoke today, is a hero and character in er. He was an offensive lineman at World War II when I did not see combat his own sense. He went to West Vir- Yorktown High School. He said: In as did the spouse of the distinguished ginia University. I said: Why did you these sort of things, they use a football Presiding Officer of the Senate, our leave Virginia to go to West Virginia? analogy. You don’t get stopped dead in former colleague, Senator Dole, in no And he said they have a great target your tracks. When you get tackled, you way have I ever put myself in the cat- shooting program there. He himself get up and you keep trying to score. egory of Senators Dole, INOUYE, STE- was a two-time All-American. It is a And Doug, his brother, said they used VENS, HOLLINGS, and many others since family of achievers. to make fun of David, that no one ever then who served in Vietnam with such Doug talked about family, not just paid any attention to an offensive line- great distinction on the battlefield. his family but the NASA family; about man. They were trying to rub it in. No But I did come to know many of my this crew and how this flight was de- one knew of his football prowess. colleagues. Then I served briefly in the layed time after time; one time be- David retorted that no one else had Korean war as a ground communica- cause they were sending up another Katie Couric cheering for him like she tions officer in the first wing. But I got mission to fix the Hubble. Another did at Yorktown High School. to know aviators very well in that ca- time there was a delay because of re- Today, David, everyone is cheering pacity. I recall that one of our pair of the fuel lines. So the family be- for you. We are aching for your won- tentmates did not return, and also our came closer. By the time they were ac- derful family and your friends. We commanding officer lost his life. I was tually able to launch and go off on know the noble mission that you have part of the detail that went out to re- their mission, they had become very been on, and others will be on in the fu- trieve him from a mountainside. close. ture, will continue as you desired. I empathize, as do the other men and We talked about various things. I We will reconstruct the facts. We are women of the Armed Forces, for the asked him a question about what could determined to get up. We are deter- loss of those astronauts who achieved we do to help? Is there anything we can mined to learn. We will not quit. We their status through training in the do to comfort you or to comfort your will keep fighting. In fact, we will keep U.S. military. What a privilege it is for family? What he said is that NASA and improving, we will keep innovating, all of us who had the opportunity to the Navy Casualty Assistance Crews and we will keep advancing. serve, to serve with others, and to were great. Everything possible was David Brown was a hero, and these share in their everyday happenings and being done for them. He talked about surviving families are heroic individ- glory—and sometimes in the status of how NASA had such noble goals, trying uals as well. As we go forward, we will their death—that we do here, brothers to expand the knowledge of mankind, learn. But we also will pray to God and sisters in the Senate today. and said they are the best of mankind. that we continue to be blessed, in this A number of our colleagues had the Doug said his brother David under- country and the world, with people of opportunity to go down to the services. stood that everyone was taking risks. such courage and especially people of I had to remain here. But I join with We talked about how Navy pilots and such great character. my colleagues in our reverent and test pilots over the years have lost I would like to yield to the distin- humble way of expressing our deepest their lives, some trying to land on a guished senior Senator from Virginia, sympathies to the families, to the sur- pitching aircraft carrier. He said those Mr. WARNER. vivors, to the fellow enlisted military folks are heroes as well, and they don’t The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- officers who served with these individ- get the attention these individuals re- ator from Virginia is recognized. uals throughout their careers, and to ceived. Mr. WARNER. Madam President, the Nation. The whole Nation is griev- I asked Doug how his recent con- may I say to my good friend, the junior ing for their deaths. versations with David. Doug said that Senator, that he delivered his remarks It is a marvelous thing to see Ameri- he recently asked David: Well, what if with great empathy and feeling. I wish cans come together from all walks of you don’t get back? What should I say? to congratulate him. I have come to life and to join in prayers and in other He said his brother told him the pro- know him as a man who has intense ways—so often in quiet ways—to ex- gram must go on. Not in a careless feelings for people; and as a former press our feelings over this tragic loss way, but it needs to move forward. He Governor the many times he had to re- to our Nation, and indeed to the world, believed if there was any error and he spond to catastrophes and loss of life in because the world is largely dependent couldn’t get back, it most likely would our State, he certainly has learned how on those nations that have trained be a human error, but that he would to speak for the families and the sur- those going into space with particular not hold that against whomever it was vivors, and to speak with admiration missions. We lost the very brave and

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G04FE6.030 S04PT1 February 4, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1857 extraordinary military officer from our knowledge from all sources, wherever Quiet, confident, heroic, adventure- strong ally, Israel. they may be, to try to find the answers some, dedicated to the welfare of oth- While our Nation grieves for the for this tragedy. ers, and always seeing the best in our deaths of the seven pioneers in space, We are a nation of risk-takers. But world: CPT Brown. for their friends and families, and for with exploration comes inherent risks. My colleague enumerated the details the States those brave souls called We have continually tempted fate of his family and his education, but I home, we join in mourning with all through superior science and with the do wish to recount one story. His par- States in the Union. And yet we cele- most talented men and women in their ents were not surprised by his choice. brate in a way their entire lives. We in fields—astronauts who are the best and Paul and Dorothy Brown watched their Virginia are united in our solemn re- the brightest—those who fulfill their son grow up in the Westover section of membrance of one of those astronauts, dreams and, I think more importantly, Arlington with a clear sense of adven- CPT David Brown, whose parents, who have instilled in generations of ture. He flew with a friend in a small Dorothy and Paul, live in Washington, young people their commitments and plane at age 7. And while at William VA. My distinguished colleague spoke their dreams to perhaps become astro- and Mary, he worked two jobs just to of his wonderful conversation with his nauts or dreams to perhaps one day gain the dollars for his flying lessons. brother today. wear the uniforms of the Army, the In a speech to students last Sep- In the United States of America, we Navy, the Marine Corps, the Coast tember, CPT Brown predicted that at are a nation of pioneers—blazing trails Guard, and the Air Force. some point a shuttle flight would end from the 16th and 17th centuries to Last night I was privileged to attend with the loss of crew and aircraft. But build ourselves a new nation, venturing a public meeting of the Council on For- he encouraged the young people to west in the 18th and 19th centuries to eign Relations and of the four members have ‘‘a big vision, accept the risks and fulfill our manifest destiny; and today of the chiefs of the services and/or their be persistent in pursuit of [your] in the 20th and 21st centuries leaving designated persons, who spoke bril- goals.’’ the outer bounds of our own atmos- liantly. In the cross questions, they ad- Last Christmas, CPT Brown had a phere to learn more about this planet dressed their pride in those men in uni- conversation with his brother Doug, and others, and to share that knowl- form who achieved the status of astro- who asked what would happen if some- edge with the world. naut—most particularly, at least two thing went wrong in space. He simply Shuttle launches and landings have of them knew personally two of those said: ‘‘Well, this program will go on.’’ become routine over the last several who were lost on this mission. And the remainder of that conversa- decades, yielding a false sense of secu- I was so proud of the way they spoke tion my dear colleague put in the rity. We now recognize how false it is— and talked with resolve as to how we RECORD. for we are shaken to our very core. press on in space, and how generations We are a nation of patriots. Not only Brilliant were the remarks delivered upon generations will be coming behind must we remember these brave men today by our President—and those who to take their places, not unlike the and women of the Columbia, but all gathered with him at the memorial men and women of the Armed Forces men, all women in uniform, who pro- service. President Bush is well known who throughout the world today are tect this great Nation. And I suppose to my colleague as a fellow Governor. standing watch over our freedom, most since 9/11 each of you in this Chamber, They served together. How often the particularly in the stressful situations like I, stop quietly when you see the Senator from Virginia told me about of the Korean Peninsula and, indeed, uniform of a fireman, a policeman, or a the moments they shared when both of the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan. How medical worker, or those who form the them were Governors. But he—not un- proud we are of the men and women of vast infrastructure in this country and like my dear friend, the Senator from the Armed Forces. take risks day and night so we can Virginia—has a remarkable way to step The Columbia crew trained for their enjoy the highest quality of life of any into a period of mourning and bring mission for years and in an instant our nation in this world. strength to the families who remain, Nation has lost seven brave brothers I say to our Armed Forces on deploy- and to the Nation. I certainly com- and sisters; ment around the world, who have been mend our President. Commander Rick Douglas Husband, dispatched for the cause of protecting Over 100 times our brave astronauts U.S. Air Force Colonel, father of one freedom, and to our police and fire- have challenged the laws of gravity—I daughter and one son; hometown, Ama- fighters, you are in our thoughts and in love that phrase; I wrote it myself—the rillo, TX; our prayers every day. Ours is a grate- laws of gravity propelling themselves, Pilot William C. McCool, U.S. Navy ful Nation for the risks you and your their shuttles, and their payloads hun- Commander, father of three sons; families—and I underline families— dreds of miles from the Earth’s surface. hometown, San Diego, CA: take. Their work has yielded a great deal of Kalpana Chawla, Ph.D. in aerospace Today we must mourn our loss: the scientific advancement—especially engineering, hometown Karnau, India; crew of the Columbia. Tomorrow we medical advances—credited with en- Michael P. Anderson, lieutenant will continue their work. I emphasize hancing the quality of life not only of colonel, U.S. Air Force, father of two that. Our President said that. Tomor- ourselves but, indeed, the world. daughters; hometown, Spokane, WA; row we will continue their work, their Laurel Blair Salton Clark, com- Space research, technology, and ex- search for knowledge, and their explo- mander, U.S. Navy, mother of one son; ploration are major contributors to en- ration of new frontiers. hancing our national security, to im- hometown, Racine, WI; Ilan Ramon, colonel, Isreli Air Force; We will remember them with rev- proving our standard of living, and And David M. Brown, captain, U.S. erence, just as we remember the set- broadening our scientific knowledge— Navy; hometown, Washington, VA. tlers at Jamestown in 1607, and the ex- and to carry on the pioneering tradi- I am proud to stand here today on be- pedition of Lewis and Clark in 1803. We tions of our Nation. NASA has been the half of all Virginians to honor his will remember them, just as we re- driving force for these many accom- memory and celebrate his life. member our lost soldiers, sailors, and plishments. How proud Virginia, his parents, his airmen, who have given their lives— May I say the current Administrator friends, and his family are of this dis- generations of lives—to protect our of NASA is a member of our Senate tinguished man: CPT David Brown. In freedoms. And we will remember them, family. In many ways, he worked with his last words from space, CPT Brown just as we will remember the others this institution. He went on to become wrote an e-mail to his parents in Vir- who have fallen in space, who dared to Secretary of the Navy, an office that I ginia. My colleague referred to an e- dance among the stars. We remember was once privileged to hold. Our mail he wrote to his brother. This is an them. thoughts and prayers are with him. I e-mail he wrote to his parents: I yield the floor. think thus far he has shown strong If I’d been born in space, I would desire to Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I suggest leadership in addressing this tragedy, visit the beautiful Earth more than I ever the absence of a quorum. proceeding immediately to try to un- yearned to visit space. It’s a wonderful plan- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. AL- earth the facts and to procure the et. EXANDER). The clerk will call the roll.

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G04FE6.033 S04PT1 S1858 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 2003 The legislative clerk proceeded to and listening to our speeches. So we United States land an American safely call the roll. are fortunate. We thank the guest on the Moon by the end of the 1960s, Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I ask Chaplain. our Nation has been committed to unanimous consent that the order for Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I share reaching for the stars. the quorum call be rescinded. my colleague’s comments in relation President Kennedy said, ‘‘We choose The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without to the guest Chaplain, Dr. William to go to the moon . . . not because [it objection, it is so ordered. Carl. It is a pleasure for us all he is is] easy, but because [it is] hard.’’ Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, before here. Thus begun America’s space pro- the minority assistant leader arrives Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I often gram, a program which has compelled and I do final closing business, I want speak about the many inspirational or some our Nation’s brightest and brav- to commend the senior Senator from impressive feats accomplished by est souls to risk their lives in the name Virginia, my mentor, my ally, my good South Dakotans. I am particularly of progress; to travel into the frontiers friend, for his outstanding statements, pleased by the thousands of men and of space in order to advance human life and for his experiences throughout his women from South Dakota who serve here on Earth. life—in many wars, in many trage- our Nation in one of the Armed Forces. The space program has seen its share dies—and through it all with his expe- But today, I want to call attention to of tragedy. In the prespace travel days rience, as he always has the right someone who has risen above and be- of 1950s, daredevil pilots, such as form things to say. He crafts those words yond most others. I’m speaking of CDR Senator John Glenn, risked it all to himself. And he is proud of them. Charles J. ‘‘Jerry’’ Logan of the U.S. help us develop jet engine and rocket He is an artist. He is an artist not Navy. propulsion technologies, and to learn only on canvas but also an artist with Commander Logan was born in De about the outer-reachers of our strato- the gift of language, of sentiments, and Smet, SD. He also lived in Leola and sphere. Dozens died in the process. of love and care for his fellow human Belle Fourche, SD. The commander is a They sacrificed their lives to make the beings. And he has been a hero himself, graduate of Belle Fourche High School space program possible. in many wars—in time of war and in and the South Dakota School of Mines Many of us are old enough to remem- time of peace—a leader in the civilian in Rapid City. He is the only son of ber January 27, 1967, the day Apollo 1 sector, and one who I, every single day, Charles and Margaret Logan’s eight exploded during a launch-pad test, kill- in every single moment that I am with children. Most of the Logan family ing all three astronauts on board, Vir- him, learn something good and bene- continues to reside in South Dakota. gil Grissom, Edward White, and Roger ficial to improve myself. The commander is married to Teresa Chaffee. I personally remember the So I thank my colleague, my dear Logan, the daughter of Norman, who numbness I felt when hearing the news, friend, Senator WARNER, for those won- also served in the Navy, and Gay Ja- and later watching the tragedy re- derful remarks that I think mean a cobs. played on television. great deal to the family of Captain Last November Commander Logan But the space program went forward; Brown and to all the families, but also was bestowed the special honor of tak- 18 months later, on July 20, 1969, Neil to the spirit of innovation, of that ing command of the USS Bremerton. Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took man’s gung-ho spirit as far as the military is This is his first command post. The first steps on the Moon. concerned, but also understanding the Bremerton is one of several nuclear at- All of a sudden, our boundaries historic nature from the very begin- tack submarines assigned to the Pa- seemed limitless. nings of the cradle of liberty in James- cific Fleet. Command of a nuclear sub- In 1982, the space shuttle program be- town, on through the Lewis and Clark marine is obviously and enormous re- came operational, and trips to space expeditions, and others throughout sponsibility. Only a select few are ever began seeming commonplace. mankind. charged with such a task. But once again, on January 28, 1986, He is really a wonderful Virginia gen- Commander Logan took command of our Nation mourned the loss of shuttle tleman. Some call him ‘‘The Squire.’’ I the Bremerton at a Change of Command astronauts Michael Smith, Dick call him a living hero. I thank the Sen- ceremony in San Diego. Over 100 Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, ator for his comments. friends and relatives attended, and I Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I thank am pleased to say many came from Christa McAuliffe, who were lost the my colleague. I am deeply moved. A South Dakota—including Commander Challenger shuttle exploded during hero I am not, my dear fellow. I served Logan’s parents, all seven of his sis- take-off. twice in active duty for brief periods, ters, and many other relatives. I under- President Reagan’s words spoke for and I benefited greatly in that service. stand the presiding officer at the cere- an entire Nation when he said: ‘‘We’ve I try today, as chairman of the mony, Captain McAneny, was quite grown used to the idea space, and per- Armed Services Committee, to return moved by the large contingent from haps we forget that we’ve only just to the men and women of the Armed South Dakota who traveled to show begun. We are still pioneers.’’ Forces more than what I received by their support for Commander Logan. With those words, the space shuttle way of training and other benefits from I can certainly understand why the program went forward, and there have serving in the military. My tours of ac- entire Logan and Jacobs families are been dozens of shuttle launches over tive duty are inconsequential com- proud of Commander Logan. I, too am the past 15 years, reaping untold re- pared to the glorious careers of the per- proud of Jerry Logan, as I am proud of wards for humanity in terms of in- sons who we honor today and, indeed, all those from South Dakota and creasing our understanding of physics, all others really that I have served throughout the Nation who are serving biology, and of the physical universe in with and see on the far-flung battle- their country in the Armed Forces. which we live. fields of the world as I travel through Mr. DODD. Mr. President, today I Now we are in the shadow of another their posts, and will do soon again, to join the Nation in grieving the tragic tragedy. Some are questioning whether do what I can to benefit their lives, loss of the crew of the Space Shuttle or not manned space flights ought to their welfare, their safety, and that of Columbia, which went down during its continue. Some say risks to the lives of their families. return to Earth after 16 days in space. the astronauts outweigh the gains we Mr. WARNER. But I think, my dear My heart especially goes out to the can make in terms of scientific friend, we should note that we have families of the seven astronauts on progress. present in the Chamber today the vis- board the Columbia; Rick Husband, the I say we listen to the families of iting Chaplain who comes from the mission commander, William McCool, those lost on Space Shuttle Columbia. State of Virginia. I think it is a matter the shuttle pilot, and the five crew- They are united in their feelings that of consequence that he is here today in members, David Brown, Michael Ander- their loved ones died doing what they the time that you and I speak. And he, son, Laurel Clark, Kalpana Chawla, loved most, that these heroes under- too, expresses, as he did in the opening and Ilan Ramon. stood the risks, but were undeterred prayer, what is in his heart today, as Ever since President Kennedy an- because they also understood the po- he is in this Chamber, participating nounced, on May 25, 1961, that the tential for gain.

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G04FE6.036 S04PT1 February 4, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1859 These families are united in their be- mission in 1999, Colonel Husband was the ‘‘She was never one of these people to say, lief that the space program must go on. pilot of the space shuttle Discovery in the ‘O.K., I found what I want to do,’ it was al- I believe that if it does not, than the first mission by a shuttle crew to dock with ways ‘What the next challenge?’ ’’ said Dr. lives of these seven astronauts would the international space station. Clark’s younger brother, Daniel Salton. ‘‘She After that he became chief of safety for have been lost in vain. was one of these people who just had goals, NASA’s astronaut office, and despite having just saw the goal, the end result, and knew Tragedies like these are a direct re- only one space flight under his belt Colonel how much work it would take to get there sult of America’s restless desire for Husband was chosen to be the commander of and was willing to do it.’’ progress, to go further, fly faster, learn the Columbia mission. Dr. Clark, 41, a Navy commander who was His mother, Jane Husband, said he pre- more, and advance. one of two women among the seven astro- pared intensely, capitalizing on every Robert Kennedy once said: ‘‘It is nauts aboard the space shuttle Columbia, minute, even an unexpected six-month delay from acts of courage that human his- was always scuba diving or mountain biking, when repairs forced the shuttle to be ground- tory is shaped.’’ hiking or rock climbing or parachuting. She These seven brave astronauts knew ed last July. ‘‘At Christmas, he was still studying, and I grew up in Racine, Wisc., the eldest of four the risks. They were not deterred. said, ‘Oh, gosh,’ ’’ Mrs. Husband told the children, married a fellow Navy officer, Jon- They were emboldened. They gave Ledger of Lakeland, Fla., just after the athan Clark, who later joined her in working their lives that humanity could take launching of the shuttle. ‘‘He said, ‘I have to at NASA, and had an 8-year-old son, Iain. yet another leap forward into the vast make sure everything is in my head perfect.’ In an e-mail message sent from the space unknown of future knowledge. They’re all like that. They have to be men- shuttle a few days ago, Dr. Clark marveled They are, and always will be, na- tally prepared.’’ at the view of Wind Point, a peninsula jut- tional heroes. Greg Ojakangas, a NASA consultant and ting into Lake Michigan a few miles from Reading through articles from Sun- professor of physics at Drury University in her childhood home, and wondered whether Springfield, MO., because friendly with Colo- day’s New York Times, I could not help the photographs she had taken would turn nel Husband during the 1994 NASA selection out. but be struck by the diversity of the process, when Dr. Ojakangas was not picked ‘‘Hello from above our magnificent planet crew. Once upon a time, all NASA as- to be an astronaut. earth,’’ Dr. Clark wrote to a group of close tronauts were white men from the ‘‘He finally made it,’’ Dr. Ojakangas said. friends and relatives. ‘‘The perspective is military. But over the past few dec- ‘‘It was a tale of perseverance.’’ truly awe-inspiring. Even the stars have a Dr. Ojakangas said Colonel Husband was a ades, NASA has been recruiting astro- special brightness. I have seen my ‘friend’ religious man devoted to his family, whose nauts based on their skills, their excel- Orion several times. lence, and of course, their courage and only regret about joining the space program was that it kept him so busy. An animal lover who was always the child commitment. That has meant a more ‘‘When I asked him how he was liking it,’’ to sleep with the family cat, Laurel Blair diverse astronaut pool. Dr. Ojakangas said, ‘‘I remember him talk- Salton graduated from Racine’s William The crew of the Columbia were a won- ing about how he wished he has more time at Horlick High School in 1979 and majored in derful example of this diversity, men home.’’ zoology at the University of Wisconsin, in and women, black and white, immi- Colonel Husband, had a wife, Evelyn; a Madison, intending to be a veterinarian. In- grant and native-born, as well as a daughter, Laura, 8; and a son, Matthew, 3. A stead, she attended the university’s medical crew-member from Israel, Ilan Ramon. baritone who sang in a barbershop quartet school, where she was part of a tight-knit The crew of the Columbia offer us a while in school, Colonel Husband still sang group of six friends who saved up their vaca- reminder that there are not boundaries in church choirs. And he loved water skiing tion time and spent the last three weeks be- and biking. in space, and that humans are one race. fore graduation in 1987 sailing a 42-foot boat Colonel Husband’s mother and uncle through the British Virgin Islands. Together, we will overcome this trag- watched the shuttle launching in Florida After nearly a decade in the Navy, with edy. And together, we will continue to last month, feeling some of the astronaut’s postings in Pensacola, Fla, Holy Loch, Scot- look toward the stars and beyond. excitement as the spacecraft took off. land, and Yuma, Ariz, a friend suggested ‘‘It was almost as if the creator arranged I ask unanimous consent to print in that Dr. Clark take the NASA test. Like it,’’ his uncle, George Drank, told The Ledg- the RECORD seven articles from Sun- many others, she was not accepted on the er. ‘‘The flood lights were on the shuttle. day’s New York Times, each of which first round. She later became part of a class Then the sun started coming over the hori- offers insights into the lives and per- known as the Sardines, because it had more zon. As it ascended into heaven, the sun was than 40 astronaut candidates, the most in sonal accomplishments of each of the behind it, and it made a big dark streak history, Ms. Salton said. astronauts lost in Saturday’s tragedy. across the sky. I looked back at his mother There being no objection, the mate- and brother and tears were streaming.’’ At NASA, Dr. Clark was nicknamed ‘‘Flo- rial was ordered to be printed in the Evelyn Husband said: ‘‘I wasn’t nervous ral, ‘‘because of the vibrant colors that she RECORD, as follows: about what he was doing because he worked wore when not in uniform. [From the New York Times, Feb. 2, 2003] so long and hard for it. But when that start- Mr. Salton said he never worried about the ed lifting off, Mama started crying. It’s dif- LOSS OF THE SHUTTLE: THE ASTRONAUTS; THE safety of the shuttle—until two weeks ago ferent when your son is on it.’’ COLUMBIA SPACE SHUTTLE’S CREW OF 6 when he joined his mother, siblings and sev- When asked before the flight about being AMERICANS AND 1 ISRAELI eral of Dr. Clark’s friends at the launching. selected mission commander while being rel- (By Pam Belluck) atively new to the space program, Colonel ‘‘I was just an emotional wreck when she Seven astronauts, six Americans and an Husband seemed modest and poised. was in space, when you actually see that Israeli, died aboard the shuttle Columbia ‘‘I think,’’ he said, ‘‘a lot of it has to do rocket group,’’ he recalled. ‘‘Visions of the yesterday. Of the crew of five men and two with being at the right place at the right Challenger go through your head and you women, four had never flown in space before. time, for starters.’’ pray that its not going to happen. Once they’re up in space, big sigh of relief, O.K. COL. RICK D. HUSBAND—A LIFELONG DREAM OF the dangerous part is over. I never ever con- BEING AN ASTRONAUT [From the New York Times Feb. 2, 2003] sidered that something could happen on the It took Rick D. Husband four tries to con- LOSS OF THE SHUTTLE: THE ASTRONAUTS; THE way down.’’ vince NASA to let him become an astronaut. COLUMBIA SPACE SHUTTLE’S CREW OF 6 The 45-year-old Air Force colonel from Ama- AMERICANS AND 1 ISRAELI While in space, Dr. Clark was part of sev- eral life-science experiments. In an interview rillo, Tex., had yearned to fly in outer space (By Jodi Wilgoren) since he was a child. ‘‘It’s been pretty much from space published on Friday in The Mil- Seven astronauts, six Americans and an a lifelong dream and just a thrill to be able waukee Journal Sentinel, she spoke of Israeli, died aboard the shuttle Columbia to get to actually live it,’’ Colonel Husband watching the sunsets. yesterday. Of the crew of five men and two told The Associated Press just before the women, four had never flown in space before. ‘‘There’s a flash—the whole payload bay Jan. 16 launching of the space shuttle Co- turns this rosy pink,’’ she said. ‘‘It only lasts DR. LAUREL SALTON CLARK—AFTER SEA AND lumbia. about 15 seconds and then it’s gone. It’s very SKY, MOVING ON TO SPACE Finally, Colonel Husband, a former test ethereal and extremely beautiful.’’ pilot who learned to fly when he was 18 and Laurel Salton Clark had conquered the sea, had more than 3,800 hours of flight time in diving with the Navy Seals and conducting Always a lover of her Scottish heritage, more than 40 types of aircraft, was chosen medical evacuations from submarines off Dr. Clark had chosen as her wake-up song for the NASA space program in 1994. Scotland. She had penetrated the air as a aboard the shuttle a bagpipe version of But it would take five more years of train- flight surgeon aboard the Marine Attack ‘‘Amazing Grace,’’ similar to one played at ing and preparation before he would ride his Squadron of the Year. Space was the logical her wedding. first rocket into space. During that 10-day next frontier. It will also be played at her funeral.

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04FE6.015 S04PT1 S1860 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 2003 [From the New York Times, Feb. 2, 2003] He is also survived by four children ages 6 to R. S. Bhatia, head of the Washington office LOSS OF THE SHUTTLE: THE ASTRONAUTS; THE 14. of the Indian Space Research Organization, COLUMBIA SPACE SHUTTLE’S CREW OF 6 India’s answer to NASA, said Dr. Chawla had AMERICANS AND 1 ISRAELI [From the New York Times, Feb. 2, 2003] become a symbol of India’s greatness, even though she was no longer a citizen. (By Warren E. Leary) LOSS OF THE SHUTTLE: THE ASTRONAUTS; THE COLUMBIA SPACE SHUTTLE’S CREW OF 6 ‘‘After her first flight, she became a na- Seven astronauts, six Americans and an AMERICANS AND 1 ISRAELI tional hero,’’ Mr. Bhatia said. ‘‘She is an Israeli, died aboard the shuttle Columbia American citizen, but she is ours too. This is (By Lydia Polgreen) yesterday. Of the crew of five men and two the most terrible tragedy. We have lost a women, four had never flown in space before. Seven astronauts, six Americans and an hero.’’ Israeli, died aboard the shuttle Columbia COL. ILAN RAMON—PILOT EMBRACED ROLE AS A yesterday. Of the crew of five men and two SYMBOL FOR JEWS [From the New York Times, Feb. 2, 2003] women, four had never flown in space before. Col. Ilan Ramon was a soft-spoken combat LOSS OF THE SHUTTLE: THE ASTRONAUTS; THE DR. KALPANA CHAWLA—QUIET AND MODEST, BUT pilot conscious of the importance of symbols COLUMBIA SPACE SHUTTLE’S CREW OF 6 ALSO DETERMINED and history, and the role he played in both. AMERICANS AND 1 ISRAELI In the days and weeks leading to the Colum- Nearly everyone who walks into Don (By Jeffrey Gettleman) bia’s mission, and as the shuttle carried out Seath’s classroom has at least toyed with Seven astronauts, six Americans and an its 16 days of science experiments, much of the thought of becoming an astronaut. Mr. Israeli, died aboard the shuttle Columbia the attention focused on Colonel Ramon. Seath, who has taught aerodynamics at the yesterday. Of the crew of five men and two The son and grandson of Holocaust sur- University of Texas of Arlington since 1965, women, four had never flown in space before. would be hard pressed to think of a student vivors, Colonel Ramon, 48, was the first cit- CAPT. DAVID M. BROWN—A CIRCUS PERFORMER who on first meeting seemed less likely to go izen of his country to go into space. The ac- AND A TOP AVIATOR into space than Kalpana Chawla. It was not complishment, he said in an interview in Trapeze artist. Stilt walker. Test pilot. mid-January, was not his alone. that she lacked brilliance. ‘‘She was a very good student, quite excellent,’’ Mr. Seath David M. Brown had a special blend of the ‘‘Every time you are the first, it is mean- right stuff. And a bucket of humility to go ingful,’’ he said. ‘‘I am told my flight is said in a telephone interview. ‘‘She was in my aerodynamics class, and she performed along with it. meaningful to a lot of Jewish people around ‘‘He was one of those guys who filled all exceedingly well. She was very bright.’’ the world. Being the first Israeli astronaut, I the squares to be where he was,’’ said Bob What she did not have was the brash atti- feel I am representing all Jews and all Ryan, another pilot-doctor who knew Dr. tude most aspiring astronauts displayed. Israelis.’’ ‘‘She was quiet and modest,’’ Mr. Seath Brown from a flight surgeons’ organization. On the shuttle, where he presided over an said. ‘‘When I heard she had been accepted ‘‘But he was quiet about it. You’d never hear Israeli project to collect images of dust into the program to become a astronaut I Dave beating his own drum.’’ storms to gauge their impact on climate, Dr. Brown, 46, grew up in Arlington, Va. He was thrilled but also surprised.’’ She just did Colonel Ramon carried a special keepsake. was a star gymnast on the parallel bars at not seem to fit the type, he said. It was a small Torah scroll used at the bar But Dr. Chawla, 41, never lacked deter- Yorktown High School and went on to earn mitzvah of the project’s principal investi- mination, those who knew her said. From a letter at William and Mary. He also joined gator, Dr. Joachim Joseph, almost 60 years her childhood in Karnal, a small-town about the circus, performing as an acrobat, ago while he was in a Nazi concentration 80 miles north of New Delhi, she nursed a unicyclist and stilt walker, all the while camp. The elderly rabbi performing the cere- lifelong dream to go into space. She early on earning top marks in biology. Dr. Brown, a 46-year-old doctor who died mony, who died soon afterward in the camp, set her sights on an American education that about the space shuttle Columbia yesterday, gave the Torah to the boy and told him to would take her up into the air. began his gravity defying days in Arlington, tell people what had happened there. ‘‘I was interested in aerospace and flying, VA., where he starred on the Yorktown High Dr. Joseph said Colonel Ramon saw the and the U.S. is really the best place in the School gymnastics team. He went on to join Torah when visiting his home and was so world for flying,’’ she told the University of the circus while studying biology at the Col- moved by the story that he asked to take it Texas at Arlington magazine in 1998. into space as a tribute. Dr. Chawla was a brilliant student, always lege of William and Mary. He was an acrobat, Before the launching, most of the atten- in the top five of her class, those who knew unicyclist and stilt walker. ‘‘I always let him dream,’’ said his mother, tion paid to the mission centered on security her said. After getting an engineering degree and efforts to keep the shuttle and its crew Dot. from Punjab Engineering College in 1982, she He attended Eastern Virginia Medical safe from any terrorist attack. Officials at moved to the United States, where she at- NASA acknowledged that the presence of an School and signed up with the Navy after- tended the University of Texas at Arlington, wards. Israeli astronaut had only intensified the then got a doctorate in aerospace engineer- heightened security they had imposed since He was sent to a military hospital in Alas- ing from the University of Colorado. Along ka, and then served on an aircraft carrier. In Sept. 11, 2001. the way she became a citizen of the United But Colonel Ramon and his crewmates said 1988, Dr. Brown was selected for pilot train- States. ing, a rarity for Navy doctors. He graduated they were not unduly concerned about their In 1994, NASA selected her and 19 other safety, and they concentrated on keeping up No. 1 in his naval aviation class. people from a group of 4,000 other applicants He flew F–18 Hornet jet fighters, A–6E In- their training for their much-delayed re- to its astronaut program. On Nov. 19, 1997, truder aircraft and the high performance T– search mission, Colonel Ramon, who spent she became the first Indian-born woman in 38 Talon, known as the white rocket. He more than four years preparing for the space. She was assigned to the shuttle Co- joined the Navy test pilot school in 1995 and flight, saw it repeatedly postponed by high- lumbia as a mission specialist and prime was chosen for the astronaut program the er-priority missions and problems that peri- robotic arm operator. next year. It was his third try. His creden- odically grounded the shuttle fleet. The flight was not without mishaps. As tials in biology and medicine helped land ‘‘I have a lot of patience,’’ he said with a robotic arm operator she was unable to re- him a spot on the Columbia mission, which smile before the launching, ‘‘but now I’m trieve the 3,000 pound Spartan satellite, focused on scientific research. ready to go.’’ which spun away after the shuttle released Dr. Brown was hooked on space, friends Ilan Ramon was born on June 20, 1954, in a it, and astronauts had to go out on a space said. He had a telescope in his living room, Tel Aviv suburb and, after graduating from walk three days later to retrieve it. The mis- aimed at the moon. Some nights, he would high school in 1972, attended the Israel Air take shook her confidence, and she feared jump in his single-engine plane and fly the 50 force Flight School. He became a fighter her space career was over. But her concern miles from Houston, where he lived, to Gal- pilot and logged more than 4,000 hours in was misplaced. veston to attend astronomy club meetings. various combat aircraft. He fought in the ‘‘Some of the senior people, the very senior ‘‘As we were flying through the night, Yom Kippur war of 1973 and in the Lebanon astronauts, shook my hand and said, ‘K.C., Dave would point out all the stars and neb- conflict in 1982. you did a great job. Don’t let anyone tell you ula,’’ said Dwight Holland, an Air Force pilot He received a bachelor of science degree in different,’ ‘‘Dr. Chawla told the University of and friend. ‘‘He loved it.’’ electronics and computer engineering from Texas at Arlington Magazine. A NASA in- Solidly built with wholesome looks, Dr. the University of Tel Aviv in 1987, and in 1994 quiry later determined that the shuttle crew Brown had never been married. His closest was promoted to colonel and assigned to had made a series of errors that caused the companion was his 14-year-old dog, Duggins, head the air force’s weapons development satellite to malfunction. who died two days before the shuttle lifted and acquisition division. In New Delhi, relatives of Dr. Chawla gath- off. Colonel Ramon was selected as an astro- ered to hear news and mourn together. His parents live on a mountaintop in rural naut candidate in 1997 as a result of a science ‘‘Whenever you are involved in such tasks, Virginia. Yesterday, they shared the last e- agreement two years earlier between Presi- one should be prepared for such things,’’ said mail they received from him. dent Bill Clinton and Shimon Peres, then the Anjay Chawla, Dr. Chawla’s brother, his ‘‘My most moving moment was reading a Israeli foreign minister. He and his wife, voice choking as he spoke to reporters. ‘‘If it letter that Ilan Ramon brought from a Holo- Rona, moved to Houston in 1998 so he could could happen to others it could happen to caust survivor whose seven-year-old daugh- begin training at the Johnson Space Center. you as well. This time it happened to us.’’ ter died,’’ Dr. Brown wrote. ‘‘I was stunned

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04FE6.017 S04PT1 February 4, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1861 such a beautiful planet could harbor such other hardware from the Endeavour to the on time. We hope we can do whatever meas- bad things.’’ Mir. ures are necessary to get us into bed.’’ He was married to the former Sandra Lynn Commander McCool was married and had [From the New York Times, Feb. 2, 2003] Hawkins. three sons. LOSS OF THE SHUTTLE: THE ASTRONAUTS; THE While Colonel Anderson was a role model Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, America in Spokane as one of the few black astro- COLUMBIA SPACE SHUTTLE’S CREW OF 6 and the world watched with equal AMERICANS AND 1 ISRAELI nauts, he would have stood out even if he had never gone to space, friends said. measures of shock and sadness on the (By Timothy Egan) ‘‘If you know what the character of an morning of February 1, as the Shuttle Seven astronauts, six Americans and an eagle is like, that is Michael Anderson,’’ said Columbia was lost and seven heroes per- Israeli, died aboard the shuttle Columbia Mr. Freeman. ‘‘He was an eagle among ished in the skies over Texas. yesterday. Of the crew of five men and two chickens.’’ At this most somber of times, we women, four had never flown in space before. pray for the souls of the seven astro- LT. COL. MICHAEL P. ANDERSON—A SOURCE OF [From the New York Times, Feb. 2, 2003] nauts, as well as the families of those HOPE FOR CHILDREN LOSS OF THE SHUTTLE: THE ASTRONAUTS; THE who gave their lives to advance human- Whenever Happy Watkins wanted to in- COLUMBIA SPACE SHUTTLE’S CREW OF 6 kind. We also extend our most pro- spire black children in Spokane, an over- AMERICANS AND 1 ISRAELI found sympathies to all Israelis as they whelmingly white city in eastern Wash- (By Alan Feuer) mourn their fallen countryman, the ington, he would reach into his wallet and Seven astronauts, six Americans and an first Israeli astronaut. Their boundless pull out an autographed picture of Lt. Col. Israeli, died aboard the shuttle Columbia Michael P. Anderson of the Air Force, the joy has turned to the deepest sorrow, yesterday. Of the crew of five men and two and we share in their terrible loss. black astronaut who grew up in their town women, four had never flown in space before. and died on the space shuttle Columbia Cmdr. William C. McCool: Carrying a Me- Today, we remember Rick D. Hus- today. ‘‘These kids, some of them have no mento Of Home on Mission band, commander; William C. McCool, hope, and their eyes would light up when When Cmdr. William C. McCool of the pilot; Michael P. Anderson, payload they saw this picture,’’ said Mr. Watkins, Navy, the pilot of the space shuttle Colum- commander; David M. Brown, mission who taught young Michael Anderson in the bia, took off on Jan. 16, he carried a piece of specialist; Kalpana Chawla, mission Sunday school at Morning Star Baptist his hometown with him: a spirit towel for Church in Spokane. specialist; Laura Blair Salton Clark, the Coronado Mustangs, his high school foot- mission specialist; and Ilan Ramon, ‘‘This picture said it all—he’s black, he’s ball team in Lubbock, Tex. Commander an astronaut—it was a huge motivator,’’ Mr. McCool, 41, had always been a football fan. payload specialist. Their names are no Watkins said in an interview. He told The Associated Press in an interview longer of the pedestrian Earth, they Born on Christmas Day 1959 in Platts- that he was rooting for the Oakland Raiders now belong to the ages, forever etched burgh, N.Y., the son of an Air Force service- in last Sunday’s Super Bowl, having grown in the halls of history. man, Colonel Anderson dreamed of the cos- up in San Diego. We can scarcely comprehend the dan- mos, and space flight, from the time he was He was an athlete—a runner, swimmer and gers which they accepted daily as the a boy and got his first toy airplane at age 3. a back-country camper—and played the gui- He was a fan of Star Trek, and early on, he price for making a difference in the tar and chess. He was even known to play world. For most of us, we could not memorized the names of most of the Amer- chess via e-mail with crew members of the ican astronauts. He watched the Moon land- international space station. imagine a life so punctuated by peril. ing when he was a 9-year-old, and the excite- He was also something of a cutup, those For them, they could not imagine life ment never left him, he said later. who knew him said. in any other form, and it is we who are He never doubted he would be an astro- ‘‘Willie had one of the best senses of humor the beneficiaries of their courage. naut. ‘‘I can’t remember ever thinking that of any kid you’d ever seen,’’ said Ed Jarman, For those who exist on the vanguard I couldn’t do it,’’ Colonel Anderson said in an who taught Commander McCool’s high of human endeavor, we reserve our interview with the University of Washington school chemistry class. ‘‘He could rig up the alumni newsletter in 1998. ‘‘I never had any highest regard and greatest respect. most comical ways of explaining scientific For it is they who set new standards by serious doubts about it. It was just a matter principles.’’ of when.’’ Mr. Jarman said Commander McCool was challenging old limits. It is they who But on the eve of his last flight, Colonel highly dependable. ‘‘If I needed trash picked embrace the ultimate risk in exchange Anderson did talk about the risk of space up on the school grounds, I’d make him a for mapping the realm of possibility. flight. committee of one.’’ We can no more place ourselves in ‘‘There’s always that unknown,’’ he said to He had always been interested in joining in their minds and hearts than we can reporters just before the Columbia lifted off the Navy, Mr. Jarman said; his father was a imagine what it is like to stand on a on Jan. 16. chief petty officer in the Navy. Colonel Anderson’s parents, Bobbie and street corner in a city we have never Commander McCool graduated second in seen. We occupy a different space in Barbara Anderson, live in Spokane. The fam- his 1983 class at the Naval Academy, where ily moved to the area about 30 years ago, he ran with the cross-country track team. the world. But we know and can appre- friends said, because Bobbie Anderson was The commander of his mission, Rick D. ciate the fruits of their extraordinary assigned to the Fairchild Air Force Base Husband, was also from Lubbock, and the labor, and that is probably all they about 25 miles from Spokane. Michael An- town was in mourning yesterday. would ever ask of us. derson went to school in Cheney, a farm The Columbia mission was Commander The Space Shuttle Columbia, on mis- town next to the base. McCool’s first trip into space. He was an ex- sion STS–107, was dedicated to research Today, inside Cheney High School is a perienced test pilot, one of the Navy’s elite in the space, life, and physical plaque and picture of Colonel Anderson, the airmen, and had logged more than 2,800 astronaut who never wavered in his dreams. flight hours. sciences. The seven astronauts worked ‘‘Michael’s always been an amazingly Commander McCool was chosen by NASA around the clock, for 16 days, to carry strong, focused guy,’’ said the Rev. Freeman for its astronaut program in 1996 and com- out studies in the areas of astronaut Simon, who has known the family for about pleted two years of training. He was sched- health and safety, advanced technology 25 years, and attended the same church with uled for a shuttle mission in June 2001, but it development, and Earth and space them. ‘‘He is strange in one respect: he was was delayed. sciences. It is true they carried with the guy who always seemed to know what he Asked then by The Lubbock Avalanche- them experiments designed to expand wanted, and could translate his thinking Journal if the scratched mission troubled the store of human knowledge. But into action.’’ him, he was optimistic. After Cheney High School, Colonel Ander- ‘‘From a rookie point of view, the delays they also carried with them the pride son got a bachelor of science degree in phys- are probably good,’’ he said. ‘‘I feel like of the United States and Israel, and the ics and astronomy at the University of going through the training flow essentially a hopes of the people of our two great na- Washington, in Seattle. He earned a master’s second time a little less like a rookie and a tions for a brighter and better tomor- degree in physics in 1990 at Creighton Uni- little bit more like a veteran.’’ row. versity. In the same interview he said one of the Our hearts are now heavy, but our In 1994, while stationed at Plattsburgh Air hardest parts of his mission would be work- pride and our hope are not diminished, Force Base, he was chosen for the space ing on a split-duty around-the-clock sched- far from it. Indeed, the spirit rep- shuttle program, one of 19 candidates se- ule: half of the shuttle crew members lected that year from among 2,962 applicants. worked, while the other half slept. resented by Columbia cannot be van- He was on the Shuttle-Mir docking mission ‘‘I think it’s going to be very difficult,’’ he quished by such crude and earthly in- in 1998, when the crew transferred more than said. ‘‘That’s why we’re focusing now in ad- struments as physics or fire. Rather, 9,000 pounds of scientific equipment and vance on doing everything very efficiently the spirit embodied by her and her

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04FE6.020 S04PT1 S1862 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 2003 crew is of a higher, infinitely more du- specialist who conducted numerous warming, weather patterns, and the ef- rable plane, where the finest of human medical experiments, often using her- fects of weightlessness on the human ideals and pursuits never die, but only self as a test subject. body, aided in the understanding of dis- grow stronger with the passing of the An e-mail message that Dr. Clark ease, and exponentially increased our days. sent to her brother from space noted understanding of the universe. It would In moving forward, we must now as- that she enjoyed looking down on her be impossible to quantify the knowl- certain what went wrong, and take home planet and seeing familiar sights edge we have gained from sending men every conceivable step to ensure it is such as Wind Point on Lake Michigan. and women into space. never repeated for the sake of those Dr. Clark’s professional journey took Space flight brings out the best in us. who, in the years ahead, will once more her from the depths of the Earth’s It challenges us to think big, to strive ride into the breach of space. As Presi- oceans to the vast reaches of outer for greatness, and to work together to dent Bush has said, ‘‘The cause in space. She truly reached for the stars achieve the most important goals. which they died will continue. Man- and made incredible contributions to There is no doubt in my mind that we kind is led into the darkness beyond our country. Dr. Laurel Clark and her should continue these missions and our world by the inspiration of dis- crewmates were tragically taken from prepare the next generation of astro- covery and the longing to understand. us too soon, and we will always treas- nauts for the challenges that lay Our journey into space will go on.’’ ure her legacy of scientific exploration ahead. To be sure, there is great risk. Perhaps that is best way for us to and discovery and her commitment to However, if it weren’t difficult, if it honor the memory of those seven as- her family, friends, and country. didn’t promise to improve the quality tronauts who never returned from Co- Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I rise of our lives and our understanding of lumbia. today to pay tribute to the men and the world, then it wouldn’t be worth Robert F. Kennedy once said, ‘‘There women who lost their lives on the doing. Yesterday the families of the are those who look at things the way space shuttle Columbia and offer my Columbia 7 issued a statement express- they are, and ask why . . . I dream of condolences to their families and to ing that sentiment: ‘‘Although we things that never were, and ask why the entire NASA community. Like all grieve deeply, as do the families of not?’’ That is the credo by which the Americans, they are in my thoughts Apollo 1 and Challenger before us, the seven astronauts of Columbia lived and prayers during this difficult time. bold exploration of space must go on.’’ their lives, and their legacy will be re- Early Saturday morning, the crew of This tragedy has touched each and membered as long as greatness is re- the Columbia was preparing to reenter every one of us. These selfless heroes vered. the Earth’s atmosphere after a 16-day were dedicated to a cause greater then Again, I join with my colleagues and mission to conduct scientific experi- themselves. They were passionate all of America in expressing my deep- ments. Five of the seven astronauts about space flight, passionate about est appreciation, and my most sincere were on their first space flight. By all their mission, and were committed to condolences to the families. Our accounts, the mission had been a suc- making life better for all of us. They thoughts and prayers are with them. cess, and some of the astronauts jok- will be missed, and they will never be May God grant them strength and com- ingly complained to mission control- forgotten. fort as He welcomes home the crew of lers about having to come home. The Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I would Columbia. crew included Dr. Kalpana Chawla, a like to include a few words for the Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I rise mechanical engineer and Indian immi- RECORD about the horrible tragedy that today with a heavy heart to mourn the grant, William McCool, a Navy test our Nation suffered on Saturday morn- loss of a fellow Wisconsinite, a wife, pilot, Dr. David Brown, a Navy physi- ing. Our Nation grieves for the brave mother, daughter, sister, and friend. cian, COL Ilan Ramon, an Israeli fight- astronauts that lost their lives on the This extraordinary woman, Laurel er pilot, Laurel Clark, a Navy flight Space Shuttle Columbia. My thoughts, Clark of Racine, WI, was a physician, a surgeon, and two veterans of the space and the thoughts of all North Dako- Navy Commander, and an astronaut program, Mission Commander Rick tans, are with the families and friends who was flying her first space mission Husband and Payload Commander Mi- of the seven crew members who died in aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. chael Anderson. Fourteen minutes into the skies over Texas and Louisiana. When that craft broke apart over the reentry, as the shuttle passed through Rick Husband, Michael Anderson, blue Texas sky on Saturday morning, the upper atmosphere and reached tem- Laurel Clark, David Brown, William we lost this incredible woman and her peratures as hot as 2,000 degrees, it McCool, Kalpana Chawla, Ilan Ramon. six crew mates. I extend my deepest broke apart above northern Texas, tak- These men and women came from sympathy to Dr. Clark’s husband and ing these seven remarkable individuals around the country and around the son and to her family and friends. down with it. world to risk their lives, and ulti- Dr. Clark, the oldest of four children, This was a world tragedy as much as mately give their lives, for human was born in Iowa and grew up in it was an American tragedy. The crew space flight and all that it can offer. Racine, WI. She graduated from Wil- of the Columbia reflected our diverse Mr. Ramon was a colonel in the Israeli liam Horlick High School in 1979 and planet as much as it did a cross section Air Force. Dr. Chawla was an American went on to attend the University of of America. Dr. Chawla was a hero in born in India. The others came to- Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied her native India, as was COL Ramon in gether from across the United States. zoology and was an active member of Israel. Both were on their first space Their mission was one of cooperation, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She earned flight. Millions of people around the research, and discovery. In these trou- her undergraduate degree in 1983, and world reacted in horror as they bled times when we talk of war every her medical degree, also from the Uni- watched footage of the Columbia day, their mission was, significantly, a versity of Wisconsin, in 1987. streaking across the Texas sky. They mission of peace. Dr. Clark joined the U.S. Navy after share in our deep sense of grief. I have always said that, when done medical school and became a diving I am confident we will complete an right, space exploration can be of tre- doctor, participating a number of sub- exhaustive investigation to determine mendous benefit to those of us on the marine missions. She was selected to what went wrong. All questions need to ground. The cutting edge research that train as an astronaut in 1996, and she be answered before we send our best NASA conducts in space, including the and her husband relocated to Houston, and brightest back into space. How- research performed by these seven TX, home of the Johnson Space Center. ever, I firmly believe that we must brave individuals on Columbia, simply Dr. Clark’s first shuttle mission was press on. We must continue the explo- could not happen on the surface of the postponed several times, and after ration of space. I have always sup- Earth. Now, we are reminded not only years of training and anticipation, she ported the space program because I be- of how difficult and how important this and her crewmates lifted off from Cape lieve it is in the best interests of man- research is, but also just how dan- Canaveral on January 16 for a 16-day kind to unlock the mysteries of life on gerous it is. microgravity research mission. Aboard earth and beyond. The shuttle missions In my State, we understand this first the Columbia, Dr. Clark was a mission have helped us understand global hand. In North Dakota, we are proud to

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G04FE6.037 S04PT1 February 4, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1863 say that we have more astronauts per ministrator Sean O’Keefe, he spent that he could not remember a time capita than any other State. James much of our time together discussing when he did not want to be an astro- Buchli, Tony England, and Richard the ways that NASA is working to ex- naut. Hieb all hail from North Dakota. One cite students about math and science. He graduated from the University of of them, Mr. Hieb, flew on Columbia This is vital work. It must continue. Washington in 1981 with a degree in back in 1994. Although Congress and NASA are physics and astronomy and, following In North Dakota, we are grieving now getting on with the business of in- in his father’s footsteps, was commis- over the loss of the seven members of vestigating what went wrong, nothing sioned a second lieutenant in the Air Columbia’s last mission. But, I am con- should deter us from the important Force. fident that human space flight will missions of our national space pro- While stationed at Offutt Air Force continue even in the wake of this dis- gram. I join with my colleagues today Base in Nebraska in 1990, Anderson aster. Across this country, and espe- in saluting the Columbia astronauts earned a master’s degree in physics cially at NASA, there is a ‘‘can-do’’ at- and those at NASA who make it pos- from Omaha’s Creighton University. titude that will allow us to forge sible for us to explore our universe. In 1994, he was selected to join NASA ahead. It is this spirit that will allow Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I as a potential future astronaut. In Jan- us to move forward with resilience rise today to commemorate the lives of uary 1998, he made his first flight, after this horrible tragedy. the seven astronauts who gave their aboard the space shuttle Endeavour, Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, like many lives Saturday when the spacecraft Co- traveling 3.6 million miles during 138 of my colleagues, I wish to discuss the lumbia was lost as it returned to Earth. orbits of the Earth to reach the Mir national tragedy that occurred on Sat- The names of those manning the shut- space station. urday morning and to pay tribute to tle will be ingrained in our minds and LTC Michael Anderson leaves behind the seven brave men and women who in our hearts: CDR Rick Husband, CDR his wife and two daughters. lost their lives in the space shuttle Co- William McCool, LTC Michael Ander- CDR Laurel Clark always excelled at lumbia disaster. son, CDR Laurel Clark, CAPT David school, and her classmates remember Just like people around the country, Brown, Dr. Kalpana Chawla, and COL her for her fun-loving and adventurous I was beginning my day on Saturday Ilan Ramon, of the Israeli Air Force. spirit. and tuning into the news programs The crew of the Columbia shared a After Commander Clark graduated when I learned that NASA had lost love of flying and a sense of adventure from the University of Wisconsin-Madi- contact with the Shuttle Columbia. I that spurred each to strive for excel- son, she joined the Navy to pay her was riveted to the developments as lence and reach for space. way through medical school, but they unfolded on television and was CDR Rick Husband knew from the stayed with the Navy for the series of devastated when our President ad- time he was 4 years old and watched adventures it offered her in her career. dressed the Nation, announcing what his first shuttle launch that he wanted While in the Navy, Commander Clark we all suspected at that point, ‘‘The to be an astronaut. became a submarine medical officer, Columbia is lost; There are no sur- He was commissioned a second lieu- dove with Navy SEALS in Scotland, vivors.’’ tenant in the Air Force and attended and earned her flight surgeon’s wings My heart and prayers go out to the pilot training at Vance Air Force Base before finally applying to NASA for as- crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia and in Oklahoma. He later served as a test tronaut training. their families. While space travel has pilot for all five models of the F–15. While orbiting the Earth, Com- in some ways become routine to the Commander Husband logged more than mander Clark remarked on the beauty American public, this tragedy is a vivid 3,800 hours of flight time in more than of watching sunsets from space. reminder of the inherent risks these 40 types of aircraft. She leaves behind her husband and brave men and women undertake to Commander Husband studied me- her son. pursue the boundaries of space and chanical engineering at Fresno State CAPT David Brown loved to fly kites science. On this day, and in the future, University in California through an ex- as a child, and would gaze at the stars they deserve to be remembered for the tension program at nearby Edwards Air with friends from a backyard telescope. lives they lived and I hope we will do Force Base. On the flight, Commander Captain Brown grew up in Arlington, that. Husband carried a Fresno State Bull- VA, and earned a bachelor’s degree in In the days that have followed the dogs sweatshirt, as a memento. He biology from the College of William tragedy, we have all become familiar graduated with a master’s degree in and Mary, where he worked two jobs so with the backgrounds of the Columbia 1990. Four years later, NASA selected he could take flying lessons. astronauts. They were men and women Husband as an astronaut candidate. He then earned a medical degree of such accomplishment and capability He leaves behind his wife, and his two from Eastern Virginia Medical School that it begins to make the extraor- children. in Norfolk, before joining the Navy. dinary seem ordinary, but such a char- Born in San Diego, CA, CDR William Captain Brown served as a flight sur- acterization is not fair to them. Our as- McCool was the son of a Navy and Ma- geon in the Navy and joined NASA in tronaut corps continues to attract the rine aviator who built model airplanes 1996. best of the best, and to require an un- as a youngster. His family and friends remember him paralleled standard of achievement and Commander McCool studied aero- as a person who ‘‘grabbed life,’’ saying excellence. For many shuttle astro- space engineering at the U.S. Naval that he could and did accomplish any- nauts, the opportunity to participate Academy, and was elected captain of thing he set out to do. in a shuttle mission is the dream of a the cross-country running team his Dr. Kalpana Chawla fell in love with lifetime and for all of them, it is the senior year. He graduated second in his the idea of flying as a young girl in culmination of a lifetime of hard work. class from the Naval Academy. India. I remember my excitement as a Commander McCool received a mas- She graduated from the Tagore Bal child, clipping articles about the Mer- ter’s degree in computer science from Niketan School in her small hometown cury missions and hanging them on the the University of Maryland in 1985 and of Karnal and then got a bachelor’s de- bulletin board in my bedroom. Today, a master’s in aeronautical engineering gree in aeronautical engineering from Idaho’s school children do the same at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School Punjab Engineering College. with articles about the International in 1992. She left India for the United States, Space Station and the missions of our He attended flight school in Pensa- earning a master’s degree from the space shuttle fleet. Many kids follow cola, FL, and worked as a test pilot at University of Texas and a doctorate in the progress of various NASA missions the Patuxent River Naval Air Station aerospace engineering from the Univer- in their classrooms. NASA considers in southern Maryland. sity of Colorado. this educational outreach a critical, Commander McCool leaves behind a Dr. Chawla then worked as a sci- core mission and a major purpose for wife and two children. entist at the NASA Ames research lab- its existence as an agency. In fact, in a LTC Michael Anderson always oratory in California before joining the recent meeting I had with NASA Ad- dreamed of space flight and once said astronaut program in 1995.

VerDate Dec 13 2002 06:00 Feb 05, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G04FE6.011 S04PT1 S1864 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 2003 Dr. Chawla was a member of the West lumbia left behind. As we search for the my judgment it would be better not to Valley Flying Club in Palo Alto who reasons this tragedy occurred, it can- go at all.’’ loved doing aerial acrobatics over the not be forgotten that each member was In the spirit of John Glenn, Neil Bay Area. a son or daughter, a mother or father, Armstrong, and our other space pio- She leaves behind her husband. a brother or sister, a dear friend. The neers, astronauts must once again be COL Ilan Ramon was a bona fide thoughts and prayers of the American sent soaring through the Earth’s at- combat hero in Israel, flying missions people, and of the world, are with them mosphere to explore and discover.∑ in the Yom Kippur War in 1973, and the as they endure the pain of this loss. f Lebanon war in 1982. The crew of the Space Shuttle Colum- MORNING BUSINESS In recent days, he lifted the spirits of bia embodied the human desire to ex- his country, becoming a national hero plore, to reach, and to dream. Their Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I ask as the first Israeli in space. courage, idealism, and enthusiasm for unanimous consent that the Senate As a pilot, Colonel Ramon clocked discovery are hallmarks of the Amer- proceed to a period of morning busi- more than 4,000 hours in combat air- ican spirit which should be remem- ness. craft, and was an F–16 squadron com- bered and celebrated, even as we grieve The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without mander. their loss. objection, it is so ordered. Aboard the Columbia, one of Ramon’s (At the request of Mr. DASCHLE, the f scientific experiments involved track- following statement was ordered to be RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON ing sandstorms in the Sahara Desert, printed in the RECORD.) INDIAN AFFAIRS and studying their impact on climate ∑ Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, twice and environment. now we have witnessed the horror of Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, Sen- He leaves behind his wife and four vapor trails separating in the sky. ate Standing Rule XXVI requires each children. Twice now we have gazed in shock at committee to adopt rules to govern the Each of the astronauts knew the photographs of the optimistic faces of procedures of that committee and to risks involved in space flight. But they seven young heroes, captured as they publish those rules in the CONGRES- took those risks willingly in order to stood at the brink of one of mankind’s SIONAL RECORD not later than March 1 follow their dreams, knowing that greatest adventures. of the first year of each Congress. On their mission was a noble one of Twice now we have endured the loss January 29, 2003, the Committee on In- science and discovery. of a space shuttle and its valiant crew: dian Affairs held a business meeting What remains for us, as a nation, is First, Challenger on January 28, 1986, at during which the members of the com- to determine the cause of this tragedy, the start of a landmark voyage dedi- mittee unanimously adopted rules to make adjustments so that it will not cated to teaching a new generation govern the procedures of the Com- happen again, and continue the explo- about space. Now, 17 years and 4 days mittee. Consistent with Standing Rule ration of space. later, Columbia on February 1, 2003, at XXVI, I ask unanimous consent to NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe the conclusion of a successful scientific have printed in the RECORD a copy of has already assigned several internal mission. the Rules of the Senate Committee on units to investigate the loss of the Co- Both incidents remind us that space Indian Affairs. lumbia, including a ‘‘Mishap Response exploration is fraught with risk, but There being no objection, the mate- Team’’ and a ‘‘Contingency Action also with limitless possibility. Even as rial was ordered to be printed in the Team.’’ we mourn the loss of Columbia’s crew of RECORD, as follows: In addition, Administrator O’Keefe seven brave heroes, including the first RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS announced the formation of an inde- astronaut from Israel, we must rededi- Rule 1. The Standing Rules of the Senate, pendent board led by Harold W. cate ourselves to continuing to pursue Senate Resolution 4, and the provisions of Gehman, who cochaired the probe of knowledge of the heavens and the bene- the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, the October 2000 terrorist attack on the fits we derive from our research. as amended by the Legislative Reorganiza- USS Cole in Yemen. We in Florida feel the losses most in- tion Act of 1970, to the extent the provisions of such Act are applicable to the Committee I think that the way NASA has acted tensely. My State is home to the Ken- on Indian Affairs and supplemented by these in the past few days is a marked im- nedy Space Center and thousands of rules, are adopted as the rules of the Com- provement to the way the investiga- the dedicated professionals who work mittee. tion into the 1986 Challenger explosion for NASA as well as its contractors. MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE was handled. Floridians consider ourselves part of Rule 2. The Committee shall meet on the Information has been disseminated the special family that makes up the first Tuesday of each month while the Con- quickly, which gives me hope that a space program. We launched the Colum- gress is in session for the purpose of con- fair and prompt investigation will bia on its 16-day mission, and we were ducting business, unless for the convenience yield the causes for the loss of the Co- ready to welcome her crew home. of the Members, the Chairman shall set some lumbia. Now, Floridians are firm in our belief other day for a meeting. Additional meetings The space program must continue. that, just as we did in the 1980s, we may be called by the Chairman as he may The American legacy is filled with sto- must fully explore the causes of Satur- deem necessary. ries of exploration, and the desire to day’s disaster. We must identify what OPEN HEARINGS AND MEETINGS push new frontiers to the limit. went wrong and fix it. We must ensure Rule 3. Hearings and business meetings of There is so much to learn from space. the safety of the remaining three orbit- the Committee shall be open to the public This tragedy will not stifle the desire ers and future astronauts. except when the Chairman by a majority vote orders a closed hearing or meeting. to acquire all the potential knowledge But then we recommit ourselves to we could gain as a country, and as a returning to space, to resuming HEARING PROCEDURE planet, from exploration beyond Earth. launches, to continuing to build the Rule 4(a). Public notice shall be given of The risks, however, will always be International Space Station, and to the date, place and subject matter of any hearing to be held by the Committee at least present. In a way, space exploration forging ahead with missions to Mars one week in advance of such hearing unless means continually breaking new and other planets. the Chairman of the Committee determines ground, and taking those risks. We are already hearing cautious that the hearing is noncontroversial or that The hardest part of these losses, is voices calling for spacecraft to be pi- special circumstances require expedited pro- the human loss. The astronauts aboard loted by robots, or even insisting that cedures and a majority of the Committee in- the Columbia were men and women at no new money be spent on space. I say volved concurs. In no case shall a hearing be their prime. They put their hearts and that is wrong. On May 25, 1961, when conducted with less than 24 hours notice. souls into this mission, were the best President John F. Kennedy declared it (b). Each witness who is to appear before the Committee shall file with the Com- and brightest of their peers, and still a national goal to land a man on the mittee, at least 72 hours in advance of the this catastrophe befell them. Moon, he did so with these words: ‘‘If hearing, an original, printed version of his or My heart goes out to the families we are to go only half way, or reduce her written testimony. In addition, each wit- that the crew of the Space Shuttle Co- our sights in the face of difficulty, in ness shall provide an electronic copy of the

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