Norton Seeks to Speak with D.C. Native Astronaut Taking off Today While He is in Space (8/8/07)
Norton Seeks to Speak with D.C. Native Astronaut Taking off Today While He is in Space
August 8, 2007
Washington, DC -- As the space shuttle Endeavour prepares to blast off at 6:30 this evening, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) expressed the pride and joy of District residents that Colonel Alvin Drew, an African American D.C. native, is one of the seven astronauts headed into space. NASA says that Norton will be able to speak with Drew when he returns in 11 days. In addition, the Congresswoman hopes that the agency will agree to her request to speak with him in space while he is aboard the Endeavour. When Norton called to speak with Col. Drew he was already suited-up. The mission specialist went to Gonzaga High School before entering the U.S. Air Force Academy at the age of 16. Norton said that the entire country has watched and waited for the Endeavour to fly again since it was grounded four years ago for extensive rehabilitation, and she is elated that the revival mission will carry a D.C. native. "Few states get to boast the honor of being the birthplace of an astronaut with the intellect and skills to participate in these rare missions into the stratosphere and beyond," Norton said. "We in the District of Columbia are proud to claim Alvin Drew as a native son and congratulate him on being selected for this mission. We wish him every success."
Washington, DC -- As the space shuttle Endeavour prepares to blast off at 6:30 this evening, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) expressed the pride and joy of District residents that Colonel Alvin Drew, an African American D.C. native, is one of the seven astronauts headed into space. NASA says that Norton will be able to speak with Drew when he returns in 11 days. In addition, the Congresswoman hopes that the agency will agree to her request to speak with him in space while he is aboard the Endeavour. When Norton called to speak with Col. Drew he was already suited-up. The mission specialist went to Gonzaga High School before entering the U.S. Air Force Academy at the age of 16. Norton said that the entire country has watched and waited for the Endeavour to fly again since it was grounded four years ago for extensive rehabilitation, and she is elated that the revival mission will carry a D.C. native. "Few states get to boast the honor of being the birthplace of an astronaut with the intellect and skills to participate in these rare missions into the stratosphere and beyond," Norton said. "We in the District of Columbia are proud to claim Alvin Drew as a native son and congratulate him on being selected for this mission. We wish him every success."