TRIBUTE TO THE ASTRONAUTS OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA
Floor Statement of Senator Chris Dodd
February 4, 2003
Mr. President, I rise today to join the nation in grieving the tragic loss of the crew of the space shuttle Columbia, which went down during its return to Earth after 16 days in space.
My heart especially goes out to the families of the seven astronauts on board the Columbia - Rick Husband, the mission commander, William McCool, the shuttle pilot, and the five crew-members, David Brown, Michael Anderson, Laurel Clark, Kalpana Chawla, and Ilan Ramon.
Mr. President, ever since President Kennedy announced, on May 25, 1961, that the United States would land an American safely on the moon by the end of the 1960s, our nation has been committed to reaching for the stars.
President Kennedy said, "We choose to go to the moon...not because [it is] easy, but because [it is] hard."
Thus began America's space program, a program which has compelled some our nation's brightest and bravest souls to risk their lives in the name of progress; to travel into the frontiers of space in order to advance human life here on Earth.
The space program has seen its share of tragedy. In the pre-space travel days of the 1950s, daredevil pilots, such as former Senator John Glenn, risked it all to help us develop jet engine and rocket propulsion technologies, and to learn about the outer-reaches of our stratosphere. Dozens died in the process. They sacrificed their lives to make the space program possible.
Many of us are old enough to remember January 27, 1967 - the day Apollo 1 exploded during a launch-pad test, killing all three astronauts on board, Virgil Grissom, Edward White, and Roger Chaffee. I personally remember the numbness I felt when hearing the news, and later watching the tragedy replayed on television.
But the space program went forward. 18 months later, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took man's first steps on the Moon.
All of a sudden, our boundaries seemed limitless.
In 1982, the space shuttle program became operational, and trips to space began seeming commonplace.
But once again, on January 28, 1986, our nation mourned the loss of shuttle astronauts Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe, who were lost when the Challenger shuttle exploded during take-off.
President Reagan's words spoke for an entire nation when he said: "We've grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we've only just begun. We are still pioneers."
With those words, the space shuttle program went forward, and there have been dozens of shuttle launches over the past 15 years, reaping untold rewards for humanity in terms of increasing our understanding of physics, biology, and of the physical universe in which we live.
Now we are in the shadow of another tragedy. Some are questioning whether or not manned space flights ought to continue. Some say the risks to the lives of the astronauts outweigh the gains we can make in terms of scientific progress.
I say we listen to the families of those lost on space shuttle Columbia. They are united in their feelings that their loved ones died doing what they loved most - that these heroes understood the risks, but were undeterred because they also understood the potential for gain.
These families are united in their belief that the space program must go on.
I believe that if it does not, than the lives of these seven astronauts would have been lost in vain.
Tragedies like these are a direct result of America's restless desire for progress - to go further, fly faster, learn more, and advance.
Robert Kennedy once said: "It is from acts of courage that human history is shaped."
These seven brave astronauts knew the risks. They were not deterred. They were emboldened. They gave their lives that humanity could take yet another leap forward into the vast unknown of future knowledge.
They are, and always will be, national heroes.
Mr. President, I would like to submit for the record seven articles from Sunday's New York Times, each of which offers insights into the lives and personal accomplishments of each of the astronauts lost in Saturday's tragedy.
Reading through them, I couldn't help but be struck by the diversity of the crew. Once upon a time, all NASA astronauts were white men from the military. But over the past few decades, NASA has been recruiting astronauts based on their skills, their excellence, and of course, their courage and commitment. That has meant a more diverse astronaut pool.
The crew of the Columbia were a wonderful example of this diversity - men and women, black and white, immigrant and native-born, as well as a crew-member from Israel, Ilan Ramon.
The crew of the Columbia offer us a reminder that there are no boundaries in space, and that humans are one race.
Together, we will overcome this tragedy. And together, we will continue to look toward the stars and beyond.
The Astronauts
Colonel Rick Husband, the Commander of the Columbia mission, bravely served our country as a Colonel in the Air Force prior to joining NASA. After trying four times to become an astronaut, he was finally successful in 1994, and flew his first space mission on the shuttle Discovery in 1999. Rick was a dedicated astronaut who studied for his mission at all times, even during Christmas. However, he was also a dedicated family man who leaves behind his wife, Evelyn, and two children.
Navy Commander William McCool was the pilot of the Columbia. William graduated second in his class at the Naval Academy, and was a seasoned test pilot. In 1996, he joined NASA's astronaut program, and trained for several years before finally receiving his first chance to pilot a space shuttle. William was a dedicated member of the Columbia crew who was fond of athletics and chess, and he will be sorely missed by his wife, three children, and by all Americans.
Captain David Brown was also a Navy Doctor, and joined the astronaut program in 1996. David was multi-talented, and an example of success in all his endeavors. During college, he earned top marks in biology and was also a member of the circus - performing as an acrobat, unicyclist, and stilt walker. Although Navy Doctors are rarely selected for pilot training, he graduated first in his naval aviation class, and flew a number of Navy planes throughout his career. On the Columbia, David was a key member of the scientific research team. His zest for life and talent for science will be sorely missed, but not forgotten.
Dr. Laurel Salton Clark was a Navy officer who had an impressive career that included diving with the Navy Seals, conducting medical evacuations from submarines, and taking on the role of a flight surgeon. She was one of two women on board the Columbia, and took part in a variety of life-science experiments aboard the shuttle. Laurel is survived by her husband, Jonathan, and a son. However, this amazing woman, who was nicknamed "floral" for her propensity to wear vibrant colors, will never be forgotten.
Dr. Kalpana Chawla was an American who was born in India. From a young age, she dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Kalpana moved to the United States to attend college, and during this time, she received her doctorate in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado and became an American citizen. She joined NASA in 1994, and was the first Indian-born woman in space. While on the Columbia, she was responsible for operating the robotic arm of the shuttle, and was an invaluable member of the shuttle team. Although an American citizen, Dr. Chawla was also a national hero in India, and will remain dear to all of our hearts.
Lt. Colonel Michael Anderson was another example of the diversity of the American space program. An African-American who grew up in a predominantly white city, Michael received his master's degree in physics from Creighton University in 1990. He dreamed of becoming an astronaut from the age of three, and took the first step towards fulfillment of his dream in 1994, when he joined NASA's shuttle program. Michael had previously been on a shuttle mission, and in 1998, he helped the crew of the Endeavour transfer equipment to the Mir Space Station. Although he leaves behind his wife Sandra, Michael's success will continue to serve as an inspiration to all Americans.
Colonel Ilan Ramon was an example of the strong bond and cooperation between America and one of its staunchest allies, Israel. A former Israeli Air Force pilot, Ilan was the son and grandson of Holocaust survivors, and the first Israeli in space. He was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1997, and spent more than four years living in America while preparing for this mission. Although his death is a tragic loss to his wife Rona, his four children, and the nation of Israel, he will forever be remembered as a hero to his people and a representation of the strong bonds between our two countries.