Committee on Science

F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, JR., CHAIRMAN

Ralph M. Hall, Texas, Ranking Democrat

www.house.gov/science/welcome.htm

July 12, 2000

Press Contacts:

Jeff Lungren (Jeff.Lungren@mail.house.gov)

Jeff Donald (Jeffrey.Donald@mail.house.gov)

(202) 225-4275

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Science Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner,
Jr., (R-WI) issued the following statement regarding this morning’s
successful launch of the International Space Station’s Service Module:

“I think all supporters of the American space program join me in welcoming
the successful launch today of the Russian-built Service Module and eagerly
anticipate its docking and integration with the International Space Station
(ISS). Russian Space Agency Director Koptev and NASA Administrator Goldin
rightfully deserve congratulations on making today’s long-awaited launch a
success.

“I hope the space partners use this occasion to learn from the mistakes that
postponed today’s event for 27 months so we can avoid similar problems with
Russia’s other critical contributions such as the Progress and Soyuz
vehicles needed to maintain ISS, the Science Power Platform, or Russia’s
research modules. We must keep the most advanced engineering project in
history moving forward so all can share in the potentially limitless
scientific benefits from research aboard the ISS.”

106-145
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