Janice Schakowsky: “I join people from around the world in paying tribute to the men and women of the space shuttle Columbia who were lost…”

“I join people from around the world in paying tribute to the men and women of the space shuttle Columbia who were lost on Saturday, February 1st. I offer my deepest condolences to their families and loved ones. On that sad day, the United States, the State of Israel and India lost seven brave visionaries. But during their time on our planet, those heroes were living their dreams of reaching out for the stars. They risked their lives for the sake of improving the lives of all humanity. To truly honor the legacy of these fallen heroes and their accomplishments, the United States must remain committed to lead the world in space exploration. These courageous individuals were well aware of the risks involved with space travel, but that did not deter them from pursuing their goals. We have experienced tragedy in this arena before, but we have never forgotten the spirit of those lost. It is unfortunate that tragedy has struck again but we must learn from the past and carry on. The United States must continue to improve and stay dedicated to its space program.”