S6444 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 6, 2019 Senator Hagan advocated for Active- and law. Her former students describe ber of Christa’s former students have Duty military, veterans, and their fam- her enthusiasm and her creativity in gone on to become teachers them- ilies in her role serving on the Senate planning lessons and activities for stu- selves. One in particular says she at Armed Services Committee. Coming dents. She even developed an original times turns to the question ‘‘What from a military family, Senator Hagan course, called ‘‘The American Woman.’’ would Christa do?’’ for guidance. understood the needs of those who One of her former students says, Schools and science centers across serve our country and their families. ‘‘She was very exuberant in her teach- the country are named for her. In New Along with Senator BURR, she was key ing and excited about what she was Hampshire, we have the McAuliffe- in getting documents released per- teaching. She was always willing to Shepard Discovery Center, an air and taining to contaminated water at help outside of the classroom if you space museum and planetarium, as well Camp Lejeune, giving families the an- needed it. I remember her constantly, as the Christa McAuliffe School, an el- swers they deserved. She was con- every day that I stayed late after ementary school in Concord. There stantly reminding us all to remember school to make up work that I’d missed have even been an asteroid and a crater and understand the sacrifices made by for other classes. . . . checking in to on the moon named after her. our military and their families, often see if there was anything she could do The Christa McAuliffe Commemora- telling their stories on the Senate to help me.’’ tive Coin Act was signed into law by floor. Christa believed strongly in the im- the President on October 9. The enact- I had the privilege of working with portance of the teaching profession and ment of this legislation means that a Senator Hagan on issues before the in working creatively to help students commemorative coin in Christa’s honor Senate Health, Education, Labor, and understand the human side of histor- will be minted by the U.S. Treasury in Pensions Committee. From her time in ical events. When NASA launched its 2021. Proceeds from the sale of this coin the State senate, Senator Hagan was a Teacher in Space Program in 1984, will go to support science, technology, champion for financial literacy edu- Christa seized the opportunity and ap- engineering and math, STEM, edu- cation, and I greatly enjoyed our work plied for what she called the ‘‘ultimate cation. together on financial literacy initia- field trip.’’ She wrote in her applica- Christa McAuliffe demonstrated tives for children. I worked very close- tion to NASA: throughout her life how to make the ly with Senator Hagan on the Biologics In developing my course, The American world a better place, not only through Price Competition and Innovation Act, Woman, I have discovered that much infor- once-in-a-lifetime feats of bravery but mation about the social history of the which we offered as an amendment to- United States has been found in diaries, also through her everyday actions and gether, along with Senator Hatch, to travel accounts and personal letters. This so- interactions with those around her. I the Patient Protection and Affordable cial history of the common people . . . gives hope we can all continue to look to her Care Act when it was being considered my students an awareness of what the whole example for inspiration and ask our- in committee. She was instrumental in society was doing at a particular time in his- selves ‘‘What would Christa do?’’ the creation of a new pathway for tory. They get the complete story. Just as biosimilars, a lower cost alternative to the pioneer travelers of the Conestoga wagon f biologic drugs. Our work together has days kept personal diaries, I, as a pioneer space traveler, would do the same . . . My fostered competition and improved perceptions as a non-astronaut would help REMEMBERING CHIEF GREGORY E. choices for American patients. complete and humanize the technology of PYLE Senator Hagan understood the true the Space Age. Future historians would use Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, today I value of bipartisan work and developed my eyewitness accounts to help in their strong relationships with Members of studies of the impact of the Space Age on the wish to honor the memory of Gregory both parties. I admired her commit- general population. E. Pyle, Chief of the Choctaw Nation of ment to work across the aisle and rec- Her application was chosen out of Oklahoma, who passed away last week. oncile shared goals of bettering the more than 11,000 applications sub- Chief Pyle was a dedicated servant and lives of Americans. mitted by teachers from around the leader of the Choctaw Nation for 30 She was a committed woman of faith, country. years. After more than 13 years as the serving as a Sunday school teacher for Even during her busy NASA training Assistant Chief of the Tribe, in 1997, he many years. A member of the Pres- schedule and newfound public atten- became Chief of the Choctaw Nation byterian Church, she was always one to tion, she remained dedicated to her until his retirement in 2014. do what she thought was right rather students back home in New Hampshire. Chief Pyle was a man of vision and than what was easiest. She flew all the way back from Hous- action. He put families first by focus- My wife Diana joins me in sending ton, in the middle of training, in order ing on health, jobs, and education. our deepest condolences to her loved to be there for the first day of school at Under his thoughtful leadership, the ones. We hope she will find eternal Concord High. She even somehow found Choctaw Nation focused on economic peace and happiness knowing she had a the time to write college recommenda- development, which resulted in new profound effect on all that knew her as tions for her students on the day before business and job opportunities for Trib- a colleague, as a mother and as a the Challenger launch. al members. friend. She planned to keep a journal and One of my fondest memories with Chief Pyle was when we worked to- f teach lessons from space. She wanted to humanize space travel and make the gether to pass the historic Code Talk- REMEMBERING CHRISTA experience accessible to regular people. ers legislation, which awarded Congres- MCAULIFFE She said that she hoped her experience sional Commemorative Medals to the Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I rise and the public attention would inspire Code Talkers of the Choctaw Nation of today to commemorate the life and more people to become teachers. Oklahoma, along with other Tribes, in legacy of Christa McAuliffe. Tragically, on January 28, 1986, the recognition of their service during Christa McAuliffe was born on Sep- Challenger shuttle exploded just 73 sec- World Wars I and II. Not many people tember 2, 1948, in Boston, MA. She grew onds after launching, killing Christa as remember this, but Chief Pyle and I up in suburban Massachusetts, and she well as the rest of the crew: Gregory started on our journey to honor these studied American history and edu- Jarvis, Ronald McNair, Ellison heroes in 2002, and it wasn’t until 2008 cation in college and graduate school. Onizuka, Judy Resnik and Dick that we were able to get it done. This After some time teaching high school Scobee. measure along with many others not in Maryland, she moved in 1978 with Many people know that Christa’s only speaks to his character, but also her family to New Hampshire, where motto was ‘‘I touch the future, I to his unwavering dedication to the she started work as a teacher at Con- teach,’’ and that statement remains as Choctaw people. cord High School. true today as it ever was. More than 30 The Choctaw Nation and the State of She was a passionate and dedicated years later, Christa McAuliffe con- Oklahoma are grateful for his dedica- teacher. She taught a variety of sub- tinues to inspire new generations of tion and humble leadership. His legacy jects, including history, economics, students and teachers. In fact, a num- will benefit generations to come.

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