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January 25, 2024

Ranking Members Lofgren and Sorensen’s Statement on NASA’s Day of Remembrance

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today is NASA’s Day of Remembrance. Each January, NASA honors the NASA astronauts and employees who have tragically lost their lives while advancing the cause of exploration and discovery.

“Today we pause to remember the brave crew members of Apollo 1, space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, and all NASA employees who have tragically made the ultimate sacrifice while working to advance our nation’s space program,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). “We are forever grateful to all who have been lost and to their families. As we address the challenges of today’s missions, we do so with one eye on the past, honoring our fallen heroes, prioritizing crew safety, and reminding ourselves of the important lessons we have learned.”

“On NASA’s Day of Remembrance, we honor all those who lost their lives in the name of exploration, trying to achieve things we did not even know were even possible,” said Ranking Member Eric Sorensen (D-IL) of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. “I was living in Tyler, Texas at the time of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, working as a meteorologist at KLTV, covering the events that unfolded during those tragic days and weeks. I witnessed firsthand the pain of my neighbors as we found pieces of the shuttle scattered all over the city and came to terms with the ultimate sacrifice that our patriotic explorers made during that mission. Their legacy, and all those we have lost in search of new discoveries and frontiers, is one of courage. Their spirit inspires our journey into space and drives our commitment to the science of safety and excellence in all our missions. We are profoundly grateful to these heroes and their families for their invaluable contribution to our nation's space program.”

For those wishing to participate in NASA’s Day of Remembrance, NASA invites you to join their series of events celebrating the lives and honoring the memories of our fallen heroes. More details can be found here.