Kosmas Leads Congressional Delegation to Endeavour Launch to Highlight Importance of Human Spaceflight PDF Print

Members to Tour KSC Operations Centers and Discuss Progress of Next Generation Vehicle

June 11, 2009

(Washington, DC) – Today, Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) announced that she will be leading a bipartisan Congressional Delegation of U.S. Representatives from across the country to witness the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour this Saturday, June 13th.   Kosmas will use the opportunity to highlight the significance of a robust human spaceflight program for science, technology, and national security and to encourage her colleagues to support fully funding this critical mission.

“Experiencing a Shuttle launch first-hand is one of the best ways to understand the importance of our human spaceflight program for our economy, national security, and technological supremacy,” said Congresswoman Kosmas.  “With so few launches left before Shuttle retirement, I want my colleagues to fully grasp what it would mean for our country to have a prolonged period of time without direct access to space or the International Space Station.  I am confident that after this experience, many more will join in my fight to minimize the gap and ensure that we continue to have a robust human spaceflight program.”

In addition to viewing the launch, Kosmas and delegation members will tour Kennedy Space Center operations centers and meet with NASA officials and employees to discuss the progress of the next generation vehicle.

Since entering Congress, Kosmas has made supporting human spaceflight one of her top priorities. As a member of the House Science & Technology Committee, Suzanne has fought at every opportunity to minimize the spaceflight gap in order to preserve the Space Coast’s highly skilled workforce and protect our national security interests.

Confirmed Members traveling as part of the Congressional Delegation are:

Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL-24)
Mike Conaway (R-TX-11)
Jim Costa (D-CA-20)
Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ-8)
Parker Griffith (D-AL-5)
Ralph Hall (R-TX-4)
Randy Neugebauer (R-TX-19)
Pete Olson (R-TX-22)
Aaron Schock (R-IL-18)


###