Kelly Ayotte: “today is the 30th anniversary of the tremendous loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger and of New Hampshire teacher in…”

“today is the 30th anniversary of the tremendous loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger and of New Hampshire teacher in space Christa McAuliffe of Concord, NH. Today I rise to honor the legacy of the Challenger. On this day 30 years ago, America was saddened by the tragic loss of seven brave crewmembers of the Space Shuttle Challenger : Commander Francis R. Scobee, Pilot Michael Smith, Mission Specialist Ellison S. Onizuka, Mission Specialist Ronald E. McNair, Mission Specialist Judith A. Resnik, Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis, and, of course, our own New Hampshire teacher in space and payload specialist, S. Christa McAuliffe. Each of the members of the Challenger crew conducted themselves with such bravery, heroism, and a desire to reach beyond and into the stars that it inspired me. As a high school student, I remember where I was that day. We were all watching as the Challenger was lifting off into the stars. I was a student at Nashua High School and Christa McAuliffe inspired all of us. She captured the Nation's imagination as she looked to be the first teacher in space. That tragic day touched the lives of every man, woman, and child in New Hampshire. It was one of those days in history when time stopped and everyone remembers what they were doing at that moment. I know I certainly do. You see, Christa was a role model, someone who lived among us and was able to achieve extraordinary things.…”