H. Res. 507
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
February 3, 2004.
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;
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,
•HRES 507 EH
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;
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
•HRES 507 EH
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 anniver-
sary 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.
Attest:
Clerk.