Florida lawmakers marked the 30th anniversary of the failed liftoff of the space shuttle Challenger, that left several astronauts dead.
At the start of Thursday’s regularly scheduled Senate Session, Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) asked for a moment of silence for those were killed when they blew up after the space shuttle lifted off.
“It was a moment that was extraordinary difficult, not only for those directly involved, but also for all Americans wondering whether it meant that somehow we’d falter or back up in our quest to go into space, in our quest to meet new worlds,” said Gaetz. “We haven’t, we didn’t, we won’t. But, I would ask Mr. President, if you would to allow the Senate to rise and join in a moment of silence for those seven astronauts, for their families, and for all who were involved in our space program.”
NASA also held a ceremony to mark the anniversary for the families of the lost Challenger astronauts at the Kennedy Space Center.
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