By:  Kubiak                                            H.R. No. 583
       73R9275 SDU-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
    1-2  Kenneth D. Cockrell of Austin, who served with distinction as a
    1-3  crew member of the space shuttle Discovery during its historic
    1-4  mission in April 1993; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, A member of the 1968 graduating class of Rockdale
    1-6  High School, Mr. Cockrell earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical
    1-7  engineering at The University of Texas at Austin in 1972 and a
    1-8  master's degree in aeronautical systems at the University of West
    1-9  Florida in Pensacola two years later; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, He received a commission through the Naval Aviation
   1-11  Reserve Officer Candidate Program at the Naval Air Station at
   1-12  Pensacola, Florida, and during an illustrious career as a Navy
   1-13  pilot, logged more than 5,100 flying hours and made 650 landings on
   1-14  aircraft carriers; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, After 17 years with the Navy, this distinguished
   1-16  pilot joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in
   1-17  1988 and was selected as an astronaut in 1990; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, Mr. Cockrell served as a Missions Specialist 2
   1-19  aboard Discovery on its recent mission, which was designed to
   1-20  gather important data about the interactions of solar energy,
   1-21  chlorofluorocarbons, and ozone in the thin upper reaches of the
   1-22  atmosphere; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, Kenneth D. Cockrell is a living symbol of the United
   1-24  States' continuing commitment to world leadership in space, and his
    2-1  exemplary record of achievement is a source of inspiration and
    2-2  justifiable pride to his fellow Americans; now, therefore, be it
    2-3        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
    2-4  Legislature hereby honor Kenneth D. Cockrell for his outstanding
    2-5  contributions to manned space flight and extend to him sincere best
    2-6  wishes for continued success and happiness in the future; and, be
    2-7  it further
    2-8        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    2-9  prepared for Mr. Cockrell as an expression of high regard by the
   2-10  Texas House of Representatives.