IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 507
Expressing the profound sorrow of the House of Representatives on the 
anniversary of the accident that cost the crew of the Space Shuttle 
Columbia their lives, and extending heartfelt sympathy to their families. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 28, 2004
Mr. BURGESS (for himself, Mr. EHLERS, Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee, Mr. 
LAMPSON, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. COSTELLO, Mr. FEENEY, Mr. 
DELAY, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. GORDON, Mr. WEINER, Mr. SMITH 
of Texas, Mr. HONDA, Mr. ROHRABACHER, Mr. BOEHLERT, Ms. JACK-
SON-LEE of Texas, Mr. GINGREY, and Mr. CALVERT) submitted the fol-
lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Science 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing the profound sorrow of the House of Representa-
tives on the anniversary of the accident that cost the 
crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia their lives, and ex-
tending heartfelt sympathy to their families.
Whereas February 1, 2004, marks the one year anniversary 
of the accident that claimed the Space Shuttle Columbia 
and the lives of seven heroic astronauts that made up its 
crew; 
Whereas, while in orbit, Columbia’s experienced crew con-
ducted important microgravity research into the life 
sciences, physical sciences, and space and earth sciences, 
in addition to promoting education initiatives;
•HRES 507 IH 
Whereas the Columbia experienced a structural failure that 
resulted in its destruction over the States of Texas and 
Louisiana as it approached to land on February 1, 2003; 
Whereas the seven crew members of STS–107, Rick D. Hus-
band (Commander), William C. McCool (Pilot), Michael 
P. Anderson (Payload Commander), Kalpana Chawla 
(Mission Specialist), David M. Brown (Mission Spe-
cialist), Laurel B. Clark (Mission Specialist), and Ilan 
Ramon (Payload Specialist) exhibited unparalleled brav-
ery and commitment to the goal of exploring space and 
advancing mankind’s search for knowledge in the cosmos; 
Whereas Rick Husband, 45, was a Colonel in the United 
States Air Force, a test pilot, and a veteran of STS–96, 
and held degrees from Texas Tech University and Cali-
fornia State University, Fresno; 
Whereas William C. McCool, 41, was a Commander in the 
United States Navy and test pilot, and held degrees from 
the United States Naval Academy and the University of 
Maryland; 
Whereas Michael P. Anderson, 43, was a Lieutenant Colonel 
in the United States Air Force, a former pilot instructor 
and tactical officer, and a veteran of STS–89, and held 
degrees from the University of Washington and 
Creighton University; 
Whereas Kalpana Chawla, 41, was an aerospace engineer, a 
Federal Aviation Administration Certified Flight Instruc-
tor, and a veteran of STS–87, and held degrees from 
Punjab Engineering College (India), the University of 
Texas at Arlington, and the University of Colorado, Boul-
der;
•HRES 507 IH 
Whereas David M. Brown, 46, was a Captain in the United 
States Navy, a naval aviator, and a naval flight surgeon, 
and held degrees from the College of William and Mary 
and Eastern Virginia Medical School; 
Whereas Laurel B. Clark, 41, was a Commander in the 
United States Navy and naval flight surgeon, and held 
degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison; 
Whereas Ilan Ramon, 48, was a Colonel in the Israeli Air 
Force, a fighter pilot, and Israel’s first astronaut; 
Whereas these brave astronauts will never be forgotten by the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration family 
and all those who believe in the importance of exploring 
our universe; and 
Whereas when the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
tration’s Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Spirit landed 
on Mars on January 3, 2004, it brought with it a small 
commemorative plaque bearing the names of the seven 
astronauts, establishing an enduring memorial on another 
planet to the fallen crew of Space Shuttle Columbia: 
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives does 
offer its gratitude to the seven Space Shuttle Columbia 
astronauts and its heartfelt sympathy to their families on 
the anniversary of their loss, with the reassurance that 
this sacrifice will not have been made in vain, but will 
strengthen this Nation’s resolve to continue their journey 
of discovery.
Æ