WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington State House of Representatives to recognize personal acts of heroism and sacrifice made by and for people of this state; and
     WHEREAS, The men and women of America's space program routinely and courageously put themselves in harm's way to help America and the world learn more about ourselves, our planet, our solar system, and our universe; and
     WHEREAS, On Saturday, February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia and its seven-member crew were lost in a tragic accident only minutes before the shuttle was scheduled to land at the conclusion of a 16-day research mission designated as STS-107; and
     WHEREAS, Among those who gave their life on the Space Shuttle Columbia was Shuttle Payload Commander Lt. Col. (USAF) Michael P. Anderson, a graduate of Cheney High School and the University of Washington, and a resident of Spokane; and
     WHEREAS, The pilot of STS-107, Cdr. (USN) William McCool, was formerly assigned to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 129 at the United States Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island; and
     WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Anderson, Cdr. McCool, and their five crewmates risked and lost their lives during a mission dedicated, in large part, to cancer research; and
     WHEREAS, The character, academic, and career accomplishments, physical stamina and commitment to teamwork and duty that typify the crew of STS-107 represent some of the best human qualities; and
     WHEREAS, The United States of America and much of the world mourn the loss of these seven men and women; and
     WHEREAS, The crew of Space Shuttle Columbia/STS-107, their families, their friends, colleagues, and countrymen all deserve our heartfelt gratitude and sympathy;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the crew of Space Shuttle Columbia/STS-107: Our friend and neighbor Payload Commander Michael P. Anderson, Pilot William McCool, Mission Commander Rick Husband, Mission Specialists David Brown, Laurel Clark, and Kalpana Chawla, and Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon - six Americans and one Israeli who gave their lives in this 42nd year of manned space flight, and exactly one century after humankind first began its race to the stars; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives immediately transmit copies of this resolution to the family of Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson of Spokane, to the families of Lt. Col. Anderson's crewmates on the final flight of Space Shuttle Columbia, and to Sean O'Keefe, administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.