Kay Bailey Hutchison: “there have been times that we, as a nation, have become so accustomed to successful space shuttle launches that we…”

“there have been times that we, as a nation, have become so accustomed to successful space shuttle launches that we barely heard about them on the evening news. One hundred and fourteen successful missions have provided a wealth of information and research results that are seen and felt in our everyday lives. Yet few of us could identify these as having resulted from Space Shuttle research. Today, the Space Shuttle is viewed by many as an over-aged relic of the past and the vehicle whose two failures in the past 24 years of its service cost the lives of 14 brave astronauts. As tragic and unforgettable as the Challenger and Columbia accidents were, we must honor the memory of their crews by honoring the task for which they gave their lives. I am proud that our Nation has chosen to learn everything possible from those tragic losses to minimize the risks that will always be present in human space flight and to move forward to keep the dream of spaceflight alive. It is appropriate today, as we consider House Concurrent Resolution 366, to reach back to the very beginning of space shuttle nights to the day, 25 years ago next week--April 12, 1981, at 7 a.m. eastern time. On that morning, the space shuttle Columbia lifted off on her maiden voyage, carrying two brave and intrepid explorers, Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen.…”