Expressing Condolences of the House to the Families of the Crew of the Space Shuttle "Columbia"

(House of Representatives)

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join with my colleagues in paying tribute to the five brave men and two brave women of the space shuttle Columbia, whose lives were tragically lost Saturday morning:

Col. Rick Husband, a husband and father, faithful member of his church's choir, and an astronaut.

Kalpana Chawla, Ph.D., born in India and emigrated to the United States. She loved both her countries, and she was an astronaut.

Commander William McCool, a husband and father, recipient of multiple Navy medals, and an astronaut.

Captain David Brown, a physician and humanitarian, and an astronaut.

Commander Laurel Clark, a wife and mother, recipient of numerous Navy medals, and an astronaut.

Lt. Col. Michael Anderson, a husband and father, recipient of multiple Air Force medals, a Sunday school teacher, and an astronaut.

Col. Ilan Roman, a husband and father, a hero to his people in Israel, and an astronaut. He is said to have carried with him on Columbia's fateful flight a small Torah scroll used at a bar mitzvah in a Nazi concentration camp.

Not just their families, but their Nations-and the world-mourn the passing of these seven individuals because of what they represent, the very best in humanity: bravery, a pioneering spirit, the desire to learn, and the peaceful advancement of mankind.

We will forever remember and always be grateful for the heroic sacrifices made by these courageous souls, along with their families, on behalf of all humanity.