(Washington,
D.C.) Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and
U.S Representatives Jay Inslee (D-01), Rick Larsen (D-02), Jaime Herrera
Beutler (R-03), Doc Hastings (R-04), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-05), Norm Dicks
(D-06), Jim McDermott (D-07), Dave Reichert (R-08), and Adam Smith (D-09) sent
a letter to Charles F. Bolden, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA), urging him to select Washington state’s Museum of
Flight as the home for the retired NASA Space Shuttle Orbiter.
“The
Museum of Flight is a source of pride to all of us in Washington state and we
are confident that no other facility in the world can match the Museum’s
ability to preserve and utilize an orbiter in a manner befitting its historical
importance,”
the delegation members wrote in the letter. “…We are confident that
the Museum of Flight is an ideal home for a Space Shuttle Orbiter. These
important national artifacts deserve to be well cared for in a
historically-relevant environment, to have their history told accurately and in
an engaging manner, and to inspire the next generation of aerospace workers. No
facility is better suited than the Museum of Flight.”
The
full text of the letter follows:
April
6, 2011
The Honorable Charles F. Bolden
Administrator
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
2 Independence Square, 300 E Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20546
Dear
Administrator Bolden:
We
are writing in support of the Museum of Flight’s application to secure a NASA
Space Shuttle Orbiter and to commend you on your resolve to ensure a fair and
balanced selection process.
Our
enthusiastic support of the Museum of Flight as a top candidate to receive one
of the retiring Space Shuttles has been unwavering. The Museum of Flight is
truly first in class in reputation and museum leadership, and has an unwavering
dedication to its educational mission. The facility has been an outstanding
curator to some of our nation’s most significant aerospace accomplishments. The
Museum of Flight is a source of pride to all of us in Washington state and we
are confident that no other facility in the world can match the Museum’s
ability to preserve and utilize an orbiter in a manner befitting its historical
importance.
As
you know, the Museum of Flight believes its paramount duty is to provide
high-quality educational opportunities for its visitors. To that end, we are
pleased to report that construction will begin this year on the new Aviation
High School to be located on the Museum’s campus. Thanks to the support of the
Boeing Company, Alaska Airlines, the Highline Public School District, and other
private, state and local stakeholders, this amazing facility will become a
reality. Additionally, the Museum of Flight has begun constructing a state-of
the-art Space Gallery to house a Shuttle Orbiter, and will be the first museum
besides the National Air and Space Museum to be ready to receive a retired
Shuttle. It goes without saying what an impact a Shuttle display will have on
these students who will become the astronauts, scientists and engineers of
tomorrow.
For
many years, Washington state and the Museum of Flight have been working toward
the goal of securing a retired Space Shuttle to display as a testament to
Washington’s steadfast commitment and dedication to the aviation and
aeronautics industry since its inception. In 2005, when President Bush
first announced the Shuttle retirement plan, the Museum immediately contacted
NASA about securing one of these historic artifacts. Since then,
communities throughout Washington, as well as state and local government
leaders, have voiced strong support for the Museum’s effort. While
editorial pages of newspapers throughout the state have echoed this support,
the key ingredient has been everyday people who eagerly share their excitement
with their friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
As
you know, Washington state has played a critical role in the Space Shuttle
program. That is why we are very excited to join the Museum of Flight this
month in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the NASA Shuttle
program. Your personal contributions to this important chapter in Washington’s
history are not lost on us, and we thank you for your many years of public
service.
Finally,
as your decision-making process comes to a close, please know that you have our
sincere thanks for your efforts to ensure a fair, merit-based selection
process. It goes without saying that there has recently been a tremendous
amount of attention paid to the retirement of the Space Shuttle Orbiters and we
commend your resolve to maintain a dignified selection process. In the final
days of this effort, we have one request: if there are any new criteria by
which the applicants will be judged, we would appreciate having that
information immediately so that the Museum of Flight has the opportunity to
respond appropriately.
We
are confident that the Museum of Flight is an ideal home for a Space Shuttle
Orbiter. These
important national artifacts deserve to be well cared for in a
historically-relevant environment, to have their history told accurately and in
an engaging manner, and to inspire the next generation of aerospace workers. No
facility is better suited than the Museum of Flight.
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