Crapo to Attend Columbia Memorial Service

Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will travel to Houston, Texas, tomorrow to take part in efforts to honor the crew aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. The memorial at NASAâ??s Johnson Space Center will begin on Tuesday at 11:45 a.m. Central in Houston. Later this week, Crapo is also expected to address a group of Idaho teachers who are scheduled to tour the Houston facility as part of the International Space Station Educators Conference. The teachers will also have the opportunity to speak with Educator Astronaut Barbara Morgan, an Idahoan who was scheduled to fly in a shuttle mission in November 2003.â??This is a critical time for all of us to show our support for the courage of the crew aboard the space shuttle Columbia as well as support the ongoing mission for Barbara Morgan,â?? Crapo said. â??It is crucial that we find answers for what caused this tragedy. It is also important that we not let this disaster prevent us from moving forward with future missions and the science and education programs advanced for so many years by Barbara and by NASA.â??This morning, the Senate passed by unanimous consent a memorial resolution in support of the mission of Columbiaâ??s crew. Crapo called the resolution â??a reminder of the support of a grieving nation that realizes the risks and rewards of the space program.â?? Crapo, who serves on the Senate Budget Committee, also noted that an early review of President Bushâ??s budget recommendations received today appears to keep NASA and the space program going strong.â??I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak with the Idaho teachers who will be visiting Houston this week,â?? Crapo concluded. â??Although their visit has been long planned and could not have anticipated the events of the last few days, it does underscore the strong support Idahoans have for the space program in general, and Barbara Morgan in particular. In these trying times, all of us need to pull together to demonstrate our strong support and the need to carry on these missions despite this tragedy. It is what the crew of Columbia would have wanted for us to do.â??# # #FOR INTERESTED MEDIA: A radio actuality is available by calling 1-800-545-1267. Press 327 at any time during or after the greeting and instructions. You can also access the actuality through the Internet at http://crapo.senate.gov or www.senate.gov/src/radio/crapo.