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Recognition

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Week Ending June 8, 2007

H.RES.446 Honoring the life and accomplishments of Astronaut Walter Marty Schirra and expressing condolences on his passing.

Astronaut Walter Schirra is honored in his passing by this resolution that follows his path from his birth in Hackensack, New Jersey in 1923, though his prolific career in the air until his death on May 2, 2007.

More resolution below…

Sponsor:  Rep. Brian Bilbray (D-CA-50^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote June 6, 2007

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost  

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MORE INFORMATION

Whereas Walter Schirra was born on March 12, 1923, in Hackensack, New Jersey;

Whereas as an exchange pilot with the 154th Fighter Bomber Squadron during the Korean War, he flew 90 combat missions in F-84E jets and was credited with downing at least one MIG fighter;

Whereas on October 3, 1962, Walter Schirra became the fifth person to fly in space when he piloted Mercury 8 (Sigma 7) on a six-orbit mission lasting 9 hours, 13 minutes and 11 seconds;

Whereas on December 15, 1965, Walter Schirra piloted Gemini 6A in what was the first attempted rendezvous by two manned spacecraft in earth orbit;

Whereas on October 11, 1968, he concluded his third and final mission when he was launched as commander of Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission, making Commander Schirra the only astronaut to fly aboard Mercury, Gemini and Apollo spacecrafts;

Whereas Commander Schirra was the recipient of many distinguished awards, including three distinguished flying crosses, two air medals, two NASA Distinguished Services Medals and induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame;

Whereas after he retired to San Diego in 1984, Wally dedicated much of his later years to working with children on connecting them to the amazing possibilities that a career on space exploration could provide, and as a tireless advocate for discovery, Wally was an inspirational figure for countless San Diegans; and

Whereas Commander Schirra was an exemplary resident of the State of California where he resided in La Jolla until the time of his death on May 2, 2007: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) honors the life and accomplishments of Astronaut Walter Marty Schirra and expresses condolences on his passing; and

(2) recognizes the profound importance of Astronaut Schirra's record as a pioneer in space exploration and long-time contributor to NASA's mission as a catalyst to space exploration and scientific advancement in the United States.

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