BILL REQ. #:  Z-1218.2 

Read first time 01/25/10.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.

     TO THE HONORABLE BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA):
     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, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Shuttle orbiters have played a tremendous role in U.S. human space flight for more than 25 years, launching into orbit like rockets and returning to Earth like gliders; and
     WHEREAS, After the Shuttle orbiters' planned retirement in late 2010, following safely and successfully completing their missions, attention will be given to the preservation of the Space Shuttle program's history and artifacts for public display to inspire and educate people about the achievements of the Space Shuttle program and the rich history of space flight; and
     WHEREAS, The State of Washington is known worldwide as a state rich with its pioneering role and leadership in the commercial aerospace industry led by Bill Boeing and is known today as a global leader in aerospace and home to about 100,000 skilled workers and more than 600 companies specializing or supporting the aerospace industry; and
     WHEREAS, The Boeing Company teamed with Lockheed to form the United Space Alliance, which operates both the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station; and
     WHEREAS, The Boeing Company has a long legacy in the advancement of space flight, and the Washington aerospace industry stands ready to work with the Museum of Flight to support the exhibit of the Space Shuttle in Seattle; and
     WHEREAS, Seattle, Washington, an international seaport, attracts visitors from around the world, and is home to the Museum of Flight; and
     WHEREAS, The Museum of Flight is an internationally acclaimed space and air museum and is the largest nongovernmental, nonprofit air and space museum in the nation, accredited by the American Association of Museums and selected as a Smithsonian Affiliate in 2007, having the largest science, technology, engineering, and math oriented educational program of any air and space museum in the nation, serving more than 120,000 students from kindergarten through high school annually in a five state region; and
     WHEREAS, The Museum of Flight responded positively to the request for information to acquire a Space Shuttle upon its retirement from government service demonstrating its commitment to a development plan including a new Space Gallery indoor exhibit area capable of preserving a Space Shuttle orbiter and other artifacts, adjacent to Boeing Field's 10,000-foot runway, which is capable of receiving delivery of the Space Shuttle; and
     WHEREAS, The Museum of Flight's Board of Trustees, President and CEO, and staff of 200, including educators, exhibit team, restoration center staff, volunteers, and a professional curator remain committed to acquisition, preservation, and exhibit of historically significant air and space artifacts to provide a foundation for scholarly research and lifelong learning programs, inspiring an interest in and understanding of science, technology, engineering, math, and the humanities; and
     WHEREAS, The Board of Trustees of the Museum of Flight is committed to building a world class gallery to house and exhibit the Space Shuttle; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, Museum of Flight President and CEO is a former Rockwell engineer who helped design and build the Space Shuttle Columbia's Ceramic Thermal Protection System, and then flew five Space Shuttle flights as a Mission Specialist Astronaut in all vehicles, except Discovery, is also a recipient of a 2007 Washington State Medal of Merit; and
     WHEREAS, The preservation of the Shuttle orbiter is an opportunity of historic significance and a chance to recognize the achievements of all NASA astronauts, including 19 who were either born in Washington or have close ties to our state, and their collegues who lost their lives in space, including Washingtonians Commander Dick Scobee and Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration transfer one of the remaining Space Shuttle orbiters, Atlantis or Endeavour, to the Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington, upon its retirement.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.