Kim Reynolds: “Mr. Speaker, this House could not have picked a more appropriate time for consideration of this conference report.…”

“Mr. Speaker, this House could not have picked a more appropriate time for consideration of this conference report. Earlier this week, the crew of mission STS-106 entered the International Space Station to prepare for the arrival of its first permanent crew. Those crew members became the first humans to enter the service module which will serve as a living quarters and command and control center for the space station complex, an historic, multinational effort that is expected to create more than 75,000 jobs here at home. With their scheduled return to Earth on Wednesday, I know that this House and this Nation wishes Commander Terry Wilcutt and the crew of Atlantis Godspeed. Since the dawn of man, the human race has been ingrained with a fascination and a need to slip beyond its boundaries and explore the unknown. From across the continents to the depths of the oceans and to the far reaches of space, that pioneer spirit continues to this day. And its contributions and discoveries have had a significant impact on our society and our way of life.”