Space, Science & NASA

In my first term, I was pleased to serve on the House Science Committee, where I had a seat on the Subcommittee on Space. My original desire to serve on this specific subcommittee was based on the important connection Northern Utah has to our nation’s space program through entities like ATK Thiokol and the USU Space Dynamics Lab located in our District. Then the tragic events of the Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003 pushed this subcommittee’s work to the forefront of important issues before Congress. That day was obviously a sad day for all Americans, as we joined in mourning with the families of those brave astronauts who were lost. Our thoughts and prayers went out to all involved, including the thousands of Utahns whose important skills directly benefit the Shuttle program. That tragedy is a reminder of the courage and commitment of our NASA flight crews and support teams – we should always be proud of their heroism and patriotism. I am confident that we who are left behind learned from this loss and that America’s space programs are producing remedies and moving forward. Space exploration and experimentation are critically valuable to our nation. I know of no better way to honor those seven who sacrificed their lives than to recommit ourselves to defend and enhance America’s important strategies in space.