William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry: “the seven astronauts who perished last Saturday on the space shuttle Columbia are heroes who gave their lives serving…”

“the seven astronauts who perished last Saturday on the space shuttle Columbia are heroes who gave their lives serving our Nation and mankind. Their loss has been felt deeply not only across America, but in Israel, India, and elsewhere around the world. The Panhandle and South Plains of Texas have been particularly hard hit by this tragedy because two of the astronauts came from our part of the State. Columbia Commander Rick Husband was born and raised in Amarillo. He grew up wanting to be an astronaut and earned his pilot's license at the age of 17. He attended Amarillo High School and graduated from Texas Tech University. Rick and his wife Evelyn were married in Amarillo. Columbia pilot Willie McCool graduated from Coronado High School just down the road in Lubbock. There he earned the nickname ``Cool Willie'' and made his mark in the classroom. He also made his mark as a member of the track and cross country teams and as an area runner. In 1978, he won a road race in the Lubbock area. Among those competing that day was a local resident by the name of George W. Bush. The Panhandle and South Plains of Texas join the Nation and the world in mourning the loss of the seven astronauts of Columbia. We pray for their families. We honor their courage, their enthusiasm for the mission, and their determination to advance the frontiers of knowledge. And of course, we will always be proud of Rich Husband and Willie McCool.”