To rename the Guam South Elementary/Middle School of the Department of Defense Domestic Dependents Elementary and Secondary Schools System in honor of Navy Commander William "Willie" McCool, who was the pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia when it was tragically lost on February 1, 2003.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I come to this floor today just as I did a year ago, unfortunately, with a feeling of sadness.

I am an original cosponsor of this resolution that is before us today, House Resolution 507, because I believe that it is important that we never forget the sacrifices made by the brave and dedicated men and women of STS-107: Rick Husband, William McCool, Michael Anderson, Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, Laurel Clark, Ilan Ramon. Each one of them gave the last full measure of devotion to the cause of space exploration.

There have been numerous ceremonies over the past few days to remember the crew of Columbia, including yesterday's memorial service at Arlington Cemetery. I think it is important for this body as well, the United States House of Representatives, also to pause in our deliberations to express again our profound gratitude for their service and our deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones on the anniversary of their deaths.

Back home, the space shuttle and the International Space Station take on a very personal dimension. All the astronauts in the NASA program, including the seven aboard the Columbia, are a part of our community. They are our friends, our neighbors. Their kids go to schools with our kids. They shop at the same grocery stores and pray at the same churches and synagogues.

The employees and contractors of Johnson Space Center are connected to the astronauts not just at work but in their everyday life. The community at JSC is an extended family.

Amidst all the lofty talk, ceremonies, and resolutions, let us not forget that a community and seven families lost friends, brothers, fathers, sons, wives, sisters, mothers, and daughters. Back in Clear Lake, right off the campus of JSC, there is a place called Frenchie's. It is a place where astronauts and employees go after work to relax a bit, have a meal or something, share their experiences and bond in a very special way.

I stopped by there the Saturday evening after the Columbia tragedy, and that day there was a feeling of crushing sadness and loss but also a hope that the vision and dream that those seven heroes died for will not be lost but instead will be reborn, that their loss will remind the American people of the great challenge we face and the prospect of a better world that the space program gives us.

The crew of STS-107 would not want us to dwell only on their deaths. Instead, I believe they would want us to reflect on the cause for which they gave their lives: the exploration of space. And I have no doubt that they would want us to rededicate ourselves to the task of ensuring that this Nation continues that exploration.

It is unfortunate that it took the Columbia tragedy to remind many of our citizens that space flight is not routine, it is hard. It is dangerous. The crew of Columbia knew that and yet they did not cease from exploring. Neither should we.

We have serious work to do over the next coming months in determining the best path for our America's space program. There are likely to be strong opinions and differing views on how best to proceed. And that is all to the good. America's space program is too important to the future of this country for us not to give it serious attention.

I welcome the discussion and debate as long as it leads to some clear decisions and commitments by both the Congress and the White House. However, that is not a task for today. Today we pause to remember the crew of STS-107, to offer our condolences to all who loved them.

I speak today not just as a Member of Congress, but as part of a community that firmly believes in what Rick Husband and William McCool and Michael Anderson and David Brown and Kalpana Chawla and Laurel Blair and Ilan Ramon gave their lives for.

On behalf of the Ninth District of Texas and the people of the Johnson Space Center and that community, I urge this country and this body to go forward, and I urge my colleagues to join us in support of H. Res. 507.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Houston, Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), who represents many of the friends and family of the lost crew members of the STS-107.

(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Dallas, Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), in whose district some of the shuttle actually came down.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner). I know that in East Texas thousands of people turned out to look for the remains of the shuttle and they came down in the district of the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), my friend who was visiting in Houston this weekend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers at this time. I would just thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) for the work he has done on H. Res. 507. I urge my colleagues to join us in passage.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 507), expressing the profound sorrow of the House of Representatives on the anniversary of the accident that cost the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia their lives, and extending heartfelt sympathy to their families.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 507.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the majority leader of the House of Representatives, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay).

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, on January 16, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia lifted off from Kennedy Space Center on a 16-day mission. The mission would take the Columbia seven astronauts on a journey of over 6 million miles. While in orbit the STS-107 conducted important microgravity research in areas that would impact the lives of all mankind.

Mr. Speaker, like many who live in north Texas, I was home in the district that weekend, and I will never forget the sonic boom, a sonic boom that was more felt than heard, that morning in north Texas. When Columbia broke up in the Texas sky on the morning of February 1, 2003, the seven astronauts aboard were 16 minutes from home, 16 minutes from completion of a successful mission, 16 minutes from once again seeing their loved ones.

The final comm check to Columbia from mission control at Johnson Space Center went unanswered. The families awaiting the crew's return at Kennedy were welcomed by an empty sky.

For those looking up at the north Texas sky that morning, it was painfully evident that something had gone terribly amiss.

Today it is our duty to honor the seven brave astronauts who perished in the Shuttle Columbia accident a little over a year ago. The crew included Commander Rick Husband, Pilot William McCool, Payload Commander Michael Anderson, Mission Specialist David Brown, Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist Laurel Blair Salton Clark, and Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon.

Knowing full well the dangers of space flight, they faced them willingly. Because of their courage, we will miss them even more.

During the past year NASA has undergone a serious investigation in the causes of this accident. And over the last year the agency has learned from its tragedies as well as its triumphs. The recent success of the Mars Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, show that the United States is a leader in space exploration. But we must remember that failures in this realm can often have very human consequences. Since the loss of Columbia, the President and Congress have been working to map out a clear mission for NASA and to restructure human space flight programs around that mission. As we continue this process, we cannot afford to forget the memories of the seven Columbia astronauts that fateful day.

Yesterday, the Administrator of NASA, Sean O'Keefe, dedicated a memorial to the Columbia astronauts at Arlington National Cemetery. In a place dedicated to fallen liberators and defenders of freedom, it is a fitting memorial to honor those who gave their lives in pursuit of knowledge and in pursuit of discovery.

President Bush has said the cause of ``exploration and discovery is not an option that we choose. It is a desire

written into the human heart. We find the best among us, send them forth into unmapped darkness, and pray that they will return. They go in peace for all mankind and all mankind is in their debt.''

Our sympathies go out to the grieving families and, indeed, the sympathies of this body and of a grateful Nation. It is an honor to stand here today to honor the sacrifices of these explorers.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), the chairman of the Committee on Science.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues and our Nation in remembering the Columbia space shuttle tragedy of one year ago. The people of Guam join their fellow Americans today in remembrance, prayer, and tribute for the crew of STS-107 and all that they stood for and represented in their careers and lives.

Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, Rick Husband, Willie McCool, and Ilan Ramon were many different things to many different people. They were mothers and fathers, wives and husbands, daughters and sons, teachers and friends. There is one thing, however, that unites them all. They are all heroes in the truest sense of the word. Today, we reflect upon their lives and the qualities that they embodied. We draw our strength and resolve from the example they set and we remain committed to our nation's space program in their honor and because of what they have taught us.

Guam remembers today Commander Willie McCool, who piloted the Columbia on that fateful day one year ago. Commander McCool lived in Guam while his father served as a Navy pilot and attended Dededo Middle School and John F. Kennedy High School. He later married Lani Vallejos of Dededo, Guam. While America lost a hero, Guam lost a son in the aftermath of the Columbia tragedy. Today I extend my prayers and thoughts to his wife Lani, their children, Sean, Christopher, and Cameron, and their extended family in Guam. I also extend my prayers and thoughts to his parents, Barry and Audrey McCool, and to his father and mother-in-law, Albert and Atilana Vallejos, of Dededo, Guam.

My first bill in Congress was H.R. 672, which renamed the Guam South Elementary/Middle School of the Department of Defense Domestic Dependents Elementary and Secondary Schools System in honor of Commander McCool. President Bush signed this bill into law on April 22, 2003 and on August 29, 2003 the school was dedicated in his honor during an emotional ceremony attended by family, military officials, government dignitaries and fellow astronauts Piers Sellers and Stephanie Wilson. At this ceremony, Guam Governor Felix Camacho posthumously bestowed upon Commander McCool the Ancient Order of the Chamorri, the highest award given on behalf of the people of Guam in recognition of substantial contributions to the betterment of society. Commander McCool's beacon of light will continue to shine and inspire young and old alike to look towards the stars and dream big dreams.

Commander McCool blessed our island and indeed our country with his passion, intellect, and purpose. The people of Guam are proud to call him one of our own and will always remember him as a role model for our children. The inspiration Commander McCool has been to our people is something that will not fade and that can never be taken away. This past weekend the people of Guam gathered in the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica in our capital city of Hagatna to pay tribute to Commander McCool and the Columbia crew, to recall their accomplishments, and to pray for their families.

In remembering Commander McCool I am always touched by a poem he wrote while attending Dededo Middle School in Guam. Reading the poem today, it has an eerie quality that shows not only his love of Guam, but a glimpse into his future career as an astronaut:

I came to an island in the middle of the sea,

It was so nice that I jumped for glee.

There are palm trees, coconuts, and bananas too,

Plus birds and fish so unbelievable but true.

It is so nice that no one can complain.

But he who does must be insane.

This is such a nice and beautiful place,

You'd think it was heaven--or outer space.

He signed this poem, ``William `Willie' McCool, Dededo beep! beep! Roadrunner,'' referring to his school's mascot.

Let us always remember Willie's devotion to his family, to the people of Guam, to our country, and to the betterment of the world. I thank my colleague, Mr. Burgess, for offering this resolution today. God Bless the Columbia crew and their families.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I introduced H.R. 672 to rename the Guam South Elementary/Middle School as the Commander William C. McCool Elementary/ Middle School in memory of the pilot of Space Shuttle Columbia on its final mission.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley), the 26 bipartisan cosponsors of this legislation, as well as the leadership of the Committee on Armed Services for their assistance in bringing this legislation to the floor to coincide with the memorial service for Commander McCool being held this week at the U.S. Naval Academy.

With this act of Congress, I hope that Commander McCool's bravery and academic excellence will be permanently affixed in the hearts and minds of the children of Guam. Commander McCool lived on Guam while his father served as a Navy pilot, and he attended Dededo Middle School and John F. Kennedy High School. He was an exceptional student and a talented long distance runner.

He studied hard and earned the opportunity to attend the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated second in his class in 1983. He went on to receive his Masters of Science in computer science at the University of Maryland in 1985. After completing several deployments with Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons 129 and 133, Commander McCool was accepted into the Naval Postgraduate School/Test Pilot School, TPS, in 1989.

After graduating from TPS in 1992, Commander McCool managed a wide range of projects, often coordinating studies and tests of aviation vessels with the United States Navy. His distinguished record of service led to his selection in NASA's astronaut program in April of 1996.

Commander McCool pursued his dream of space flight with vigor and passion. He lived his dream, and we on Guam are amazed that someone we knew, who was part of our island community, was the pilot of a space shuttle. Teachers on Guam point to his remarkable life to inspire school children to dare to dream big things, to believe in themselves, and to reach for the stars. Today, we are reminded of his dream. We are inspired by his strength of character, and we are called to do our part to keep his dream alive.

Guam South is part of the Department of Defense Domestic Dependence Elementary and Secondary School System. Commander McCool would be proud to be associated with it. The school was established in 1997 and now has 750 students. The elementary school is 550 students strong, with blue and white as its colors and the Jaguar as its mascot. The middle school is 200 students strong, with the Guam South Stingrays as their mascot. Guam South is ably run by Principal William Hall and 75 outstanding teachers.

The clients of the school are primarily Navy families, just like Commander McCool's. Willie McCool was a dedicated husband and father. He leaves behind his lovely wife, Lani, and their three sons, Sean, 22; Christopher, 20; and Cameron, 15. He is survived by his parents, Barry and Audrey McCool, as well as Lani's parents, Atilana and Albert Vellejos, who live in Dededo, Guam. They join the families of Rick Husband, David Brown, Ilan Ramon, Kalpana Chawla, Michael Anderson, and Laurel Clark in bearing the burden and the glory of this Nation's space aspirations.

So for all of them and for the future participants of our space program studying on Guam, I commend this legislation to my colleagues and urge its swift passage.

I would like to end my remarks by calling for a moment of silence to remember the crew of Space Shuttle Columbia on Mission STS-107.

As we say good-bye to Willie McCool, I would like to point out that here he is standing before the shuttle just before leaving with our island flag. Pues adios, Willie; in guaiya hao. In our Chamorro language this means good-bye, Willie; we love you.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the crew of Columbia. The names Rick Husband, William McCool, Michael Anderson, Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, Laurel Clark and Ilan Ramon will now forever be linked to the risks and rewards of exploring the frontier. They were all extraordinary people.

Rick Husband. A man of strong faith in God. A man who dreamed of taking part in space travel since his childhood in Amarillo, Texas. A family man, committed to his community. He set the highest of standards for us all.

William McCool. A man who personified excellence in all he did. From San Diego, since the earliest age, he dreamed of flying and followed his dream with an unending fount of energy and skill. While gifted, he never showed any hubris; in fact, he was always humble--something we all could learn from.

Michael Anderson. From Pittsburgh, he had a drive uncommon to most people. He loved science and learning. He followed his passion for science. This led him to NASA and space flight. He knew his responsibility as an astronaut and took every opportunity to talk to schoolchildren about the excitement and value of space exploration.

Kalpana Chawla. She lived a uniquely American life. Born and raised in India, she came to America as an immigrant. She worked hard and studied engineering and science. She became an American citizen and from there became an astronaut. She made her home nation and her adopted nation proud of her in all that she did.

David Brown. Truly a man for all seasons. He was a physician, a Navy pilot, and member of the astronaut corp. Everything he set out to do, he accomplished. He had many other goals he was anxious to accomplish after this mission was completed.

Laurel Clark. A wife. A mother. A physician. An astronaut. She was aware of what a special honor it was to be selected to fly in space. She was thankful for the special opportunity that she had. She lived life to the fullest. She enjoyed scuba diving and flying airplanes. Everything she did, she loved.

Ilan Ramon. The first Israeli in space. A dedicated and brave pilot. The son of Holocaust survivor. He is an inspiration to a small, determined nation.

Commander Husband, on the evening before they launched, shared with his crew and their families, his favorite passage from the book of Joshua. This is instructive for all of us as we reflect on this tragedy: ``Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.''

That is where we are as a nation right now. We live in a dangerous world with many challenges facing us. The measure of a truly great nation is one that can face down its challenges on earth and excell and lead the world to a higher level.

That is why we have NASA and why we must recommit ourselves, now more than ever, to the dream and adventure of human space flight that was such a part of the lives of these brave men and women.

How we decided to respond to this tragedy will be judged very closely by many generations that come after us. I am proud to say that the President has risen to the occasion and has charted a bold new exploration initiative. We cannot let future generations down and walk away from our destiny in space. The Columbia 7 will be memorialized by a great, strong, robust return to space by America.