WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and nine of their colleagues in introducing a Senate resolution honoring the 20^th Anniversary of the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy on February 1, 2003 and remembering seven crewmembers who lost their lives that day. Wisconsin resident and Mission Specialist, U.S. Navy Captain Laurel B. Clark, played an integral role in the Columbia’s microgravity research during its 16-day solo trip.

The NASA astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Columbia:

• U.S. Air Force Colonel Rick D. Husband, Mission Commander;
• U.S. Navy Commander William C. “Willie” McCool, Pilot;
• U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael P. Anderson, Payload Commander and Mission Specialist;
• U.S. Navy Captain David M. Brown, M.D., Mission Specialist;
• U.S. Navy Captain Laurel B. Clark, Mission Specialist;
• Kalpana Chawla, Ph.D., Mission Specialist;
• Israeli Air Force Colonel Ilan Ramon, Payload Specialist.

“Wisconsinite Laurel Clark was a doctor, Navy captain, mother and Mission Specialist dedicated to living life to the fullest,” said Sen. Johnson. “20 years ago, she lost her life alongside six others in the fateful Columbia Space Shuttle disaster. Today, we honor her legacy and celebrate her bravery.”

Sens. Johnson, Cruz and Cantwell are joined on the resolution by Senators Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

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