BILL REQ. #:  H-1524.1 

Read first time 02/14/2003.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     TO THE HONORABLE DOUGLAS B. MACDONALD, SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION, AND TO THE WASHINGTON STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, AND TO THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, Michael P. Anderson, Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force and NASA Astronaut, at the age of 43 was one of seven causalities onboard the ill-fated Shuttle Columbia; and
     WHEREAS, Michael P. Anderson was one of a very small number of African-American astronauts selected to go into space; and
     WHEREAS, Michael P. Anderson grew up in the Spokane, Washington, area and graduated from Cheney High School in 1977; and
     WHEREAS, Michael P. Anderson is remembered by residents of Spokane, Washington, as a role model young man, who as an adult never stopped inspiring young people to be the best they could be; and
     WHEREAS, Michael P. Anderson attended the University of Washington, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and astronomy in 1981, and later attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where he earned a Master of Science degree in physics in 1990; and
     WHEREAS, Michael P. Anderson served as an instructor pilot and tactics officer at Plattsburgh Air Force Base in New York State when he was selected to be an astronaut by NASA in 1994; and
     WHEREAS, Michael P. Anderson moved to Houston, Texas, in March 1995 and underwent a year of training to qualify for a space shuttle flight crew assignment as a mission specialist; and
     WHEREAS, In 1998, Michael P. Anderson traveled on the STS-89, on a Shuttle-Mir docking mission, where he and his crew transferred more than 9,000 pounds of scientific equipment, logistical hardware, and water from the Space Shuttle Endeavor to Mir, logging over 211 hours in space; and
     WHEREAS, Michael P. Anderson served as a Lieutenant Colonel on the Space Shuttle Columbia's last mission, which lasted sixteen days, and where he was in charge of science experiments dealing with global climate, human physiology, and fire suppression, as well as being in charge of the Shuttle's payload; and
     WHEREAS, Michael P. Anderson received numerous honors during his lifetime, including being awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the United States Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, and the United States Air Force Achievement Medal;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Washington State Transportation Commission commence proceedings to name State Route Number 904, running through the city of Cheney, Washington, the "Michael P. Anderson Memorial Highway."
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Douglas B. MacDonald, Secretary of Transportation, the Washington State Transportation Commission, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and the family of Michael P. Anderson.