Ted Poe: “20 years ago, the seven crew members of the space shuttle ``Challenger'' tragically died while seeking the wonders and…”

“20 years ago, the seven crew members of the space shuttle ``Challenger'' tragically died while seeking the wonders and worlds of space. In the tradition of great explorers of the past like Columbus, the Conquistadores and Lewis and Clark, the astronauts aboard the space shuttle ``Challenger'' were exploring and embarking on the last frontier when they gave their lives on January 28, 1986. That courageous ``Challenger'' crew of Francis Scobee, Michael Smith, Judith Resnick, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, high school teacher Christa McAuliffe and Texan Ronald McNair were the best of the brave, the bold and the brazen. They were not only remembered by NASA in my hometown of Houston, but throughout the world. These magnificent seven epitomized the spirit of the explorers of old and will be remembered for their sense of adventure and courage. Space exploration is America's marvelous mission that will continue to be our dream and our goal. These seven brothers and sisters of space and their enduring legacy are part of that goal to conquer and to challenge space. That's just the way it is. ____________________”