06 February 2003
Transcript: America's Exploration of Space Will Continue, Cheney says
("Vibrant space program" will be "greatest memorial" to Columbia's
crew) (710)
The "greatest memorial" to the Columbia astronauts who died February 1
when their space shuttle broke apart on reentering earth's atmosphere
will be the continued exploration of space, Vice President Dick Cheney
said February 6 at a service at the National Cathedral in Washington
in memory of the seven.
"And while many memorials will be built to honor Columbia's crew,
their greatest memorial will be a vibrant space program with new
missions carried out by a new generation of brave explorers," the Vice
President said.
America and all the world, he said, will never forget the men and
women of Columbia's final 16-day voyage -- Willie McCool, Kalpana
Chawla, Ilan Ramon, Michael Anderson, David Brown, Laurel Clark and
Rick Husband.
The families of many of the crew members, several hundred congressmen,
cabinet members, and diplomats atended the memorial ceremony at the
Washington Cathedral.
Following is a transcript of the Vice President's remarks:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice President
February 6, 2003
REMARKS BY THE VICE PRESIDENT AT CEREMONY DEDICATED TO THE CREW OF THE
SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA
The National Cathedral Washington, D.C.
10:48 A.M. EST
THE VICE PRESIDENT: We are here today to honor the memory of seven
lost explorers, to mourn seven good men and women, and to offer the
respects of a grateful nation.
Saturday morning brought terrible news to all Americans; and the flag
of our country was lowered to half-staff in honor of our fallen
Columbia astronauts. They were soldiers and scientists, doctors and
pilots -- but, above all, they were explorers. Each of them followed
his or her own path to the space program. Each led a life of high
purpose and high achievement.
The crew of the Columbia was united not by faith or heritage, but by
the calling they answered and shared. They were bound together in the
great cause of discovery. They were envoys to the unknown. They
advanced human understanding by showing human courage.
The men and women aboard the Columbia were driven by a fierce
determination to make life better here on earth by unlocking the
mysteries of space. Their 16-day, six-million mile mission was devoted
to research, and they worked 24 hours a day in alternating shifts on
experiments in the physical sciences, the life sciences, and the space
sciences.
Every great act of exploration involves great risk. The crew of the
Columbia accepted that risk in service to all mankind. The Columbia is
lost, but the dreams that inspired its crew remain with us. Those
dreams are carried by the families of the astronauts who, even in
grief, have urged that America go on with our space program. "The
legacy of Columbia must carry on," they tell us, "for the benefit of
our children -- and yours."
Those dreams are carried by the dedicated men and women of NASA, who
-- time and time again -- have achieved the seemingly impossible and
whose strength and skill will return us to space. And the dreams of
the Columbia crew will continue to inspire America. We are a nation of
pioneers and immigrants, of bold explorers and discoverers, and we
have invited kindred souls from many nations to join us in the
greatest of all voyages. In doing so, we honor the heritage of our
country and help shape the future of all mankind.
Two generations ago, the United States embarked on a course of space
exploration. Today, despite this tragedy, we remain on that course.
And while many memorials will be built to honor Columbia's crew, their
greatest memorial will be a vibrant space program with new missions
carried out by a new generation of brave explorers.
America and all the world will always remember the first flight of the
Columbia in 1981. And we will never forget the men and women of her
final voyage: Willie McCool, Kalpana Chawla, Ilan Ramon, Michael
Anderson, David Brown, Laurel Clark and Rick Husband.
May a merciful God receive these seven souls. May He comfort their
families. May He help our nation to bear this heavy loss. And may He
guide us forward in exploring His creation.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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