MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Moran, Barnett, Dearing, DeBar, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WELCOMING NASA ASTRONAUT STEPHANIE D. WILSON TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI ON THE OCCASION OF THE PARTNERS FOR STENNIS SPACE CENTER CAPITOL DAY.
WHEREAS, on March 21, 2018, the Partners for Stennis will present the Stennis Space Center Capitol Day event in honor of NASA Astronaut Stephanie D. Wilson; and
WHEREAS, Partners for Stennis is a volunteer group that advocates for space, earth and ocean exploration. Its members are from regional Chambers of Commerce, economic development foundations, businesses, educational institutions, local governments, community groups and individual citizens who desire to encourage development of the NASA-Stennis Space Center, a unique federal and commercial city that is home to more than 30 federal, state, academic and private organizations and numerous technology-based companies. For more than four decades, Stennis has served as America's largest rocket test complex. Located in Hancock County, Mississippi, on the Louisiana border, the workforce of 4,500 civil servants, contractors, scientists and engineers provide a significant source of employment and income in the two-state region; and
WHEREAS, Stephanie D. Wilson is a veteran of three spaceflights, STS42O, STS-121 and STS-131, and has logged more than 42 days in space. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, she attended high school in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Science from Harvard University in 1988. After working at Martin Marietta for two years, she earned her Master of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1992 from the University of Texas at Austin; her graduate research, sponsored by a NASA Graduate Student Researchers Fellowship, focused on the control and modeling of large, flexible space structures. Selected by NASA as an Astronaut in April 1996, she flew her first space shuttle mission in 2006, then flew subsequent shuttle missions in 2007 and 2010. Wilson has also served as a member of the 2009 and 2013 Astronaut Selection Boards. She currently supports the International Space Station Operations branch; and
WHEREAS, Stephanie has received several group achievement and performance awards (1992 to 2008); Young Outstanding Texas Exes Award (2005); Harvard Foundation Scientist of the Year Award (2008); Harvard College Women's Professional Achievement Award (2008); Honorary Doctorate of Science from Williams College (2011); NASA Space Flight Medal (2006, 2007, 2010); NASA Distinguished Service Medal (2009, 2011); Johnson Space Center Director's Innovation Group Achievement Award (2013); and Johnson Space Center Director Commendation Award (2013). She is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Associate Fellow); the Association of Space Explorers; the Harvard University Board of Overseers (2007-2013); and The Links, Incorporated; and
WHEREAS, the Stennis facility has been responsible for testing all of the engines used in manned Apollo flights and in space shuttle missions. It currently has a vibrant role in testing the next generation of rocket engines to be used in America's space program. NASA's progress toward a return to deep space missions continues with a new round of upcoming tests on the next-generation J-2X rocket engine, which will help power the agency's Space Launch System (SLS) to new destinations in the solar system; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize NASA Astronaut Stephanie D. Wilson and the contributions of the Stennis Space Center to the economy of the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby welcome NASA Astronaut Stephanie D. Wilson to the State of Mississippi on the occasion of the Partners for Stennis Space Center Capitol Day on March 21, 2018, and extend our best wishes to Stephanie and the administration and employees of the Stennis Space Center on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Stephanie D. Wilson and the Executive Director of the Stennis Space Center, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.