Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, Today, I rise to salute the seven astronauts who lost their lives aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia: Commander Rick Husband; Pilot William McCool; Mission Specialists Michael P. Anderson, David M. Brown, Kalpana Chawla, and Laurel Clark; and payload specialist Ilan Ramon, an Israeli.

On January 16, 2002, the Columbia left on a 16-day mission that was dedicated to research in physical, life, and space sciences, conducted in approximately 80 separate experiments, and comprised of hundreds of samples and test points. The men and women aboard the Columbia traveled over six million miles and labored 24 hours a day to complete this mission. On February 1, 2003, just minutes from completing its mission, the Columbia was lost during its reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. This loss was unexpected and terrible and today we remember not only this tragedy, but the seven heroes who were lost and their achievement.

For the families of the seven, we share your grief in this national tragedy. With heavy hearts we as a nation share in your sorrow and pride. My sincere condolences and prayers are with you in this time of great loss. America was blessed to have such men and women serving in the space program. While our space program has experienced tragedy before, it never becomes easy to bear. And today we grieve the loss of these heroes.

Though there are great risks involved in space travel, its benefits to life on earth has been tremendous. The heroes aboard the Columbia were fulfilling America's commitment of more than a half century to explore the universe. Their loss does nothing to diminish the great respect that American's have in the space program. Despite this great loss, America will continue to send people into space. The dedication and professionalism of astronauts have impressed us for generations and the crew of the Columbia continued this tradition of brave men and women who have traveled into space to honor the American spirit of exploration. These astronauts are an example of everything that we consider honorable. Honoring them with this resolution is just one way we can pay tribute to their memory and accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, the passage of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 represented a watershed event in the relationship between student support and tax policy. The Act's signature initiative, the Hope Scholarship Program, provides annual benefits to students and the families rivaling the support provided through Pell Grants and other long-standing forms of federal aid. However, many of the students who need help the most do not benefit from the Hope Scholarship Program.

Today, Congressman Jim McGovern and I are reintroducing legislation that would address these shortcomings. Currently, the Hope tax credit can be used for only tuition and related expenses when college students must pay for much more than just tuition. Our legislation would allow Hope Scholarships to cover required fees, books, supplies and equipment, Additionally, a student's eligibility is currently reduced by any other grants they receive--federal, state or private. As a result, benefits have been limited primarily to middle and upper-middle income taxpayers and explain why less than one-fifth of all full-time students attending community colleges qualify for maximum Hope Scholarship benefits. Our legislation would ensure that any Pell Grants and Supplemental Educational Opportunity grants a student receives are not counted against the student's eligible expenses when the Hope Scholarship is computed.

This legislation has bi-partisan cosponsors and support from numerous higher education organizations. I urge the House to bring up this legislation in the near future. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Louis Morse, clerk of Cato Township, who earned the Master Municipal Clerk designation in 2002 through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. Mr. Morse was recognized with this honor for his exemplary performance as a municipal clerk at the local, state, national and global levels.

Mr. Morse received the highest level of education achievable for municipal clerks through the Master Municipal Clerk Academy, to which he demonstrated that he actively pursued educational and professional activities and remained informed about current events in local government. In addition, he completed coursework and earned academy points by attending professional seminars and workshops, teaching advertisement writing in the profession and participating in professional meetings and conferences.

Making a personal commitment to life-long learning and mentoring, Mr. Morse continues to serve his community through his extraordinary service. He truly makes the effort to go well beyond his regular duties.

I am honored today to recognize Mr. Morse as an outstanding citizen whose admirable qualities make him an outstanding role model to all who know him.