WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Pete Olson (R-Sugar Land) today issued the following statement on the occasion of the final, successful mission for Space Shuttle Discovery:

"After 39 missions, 365 days in space, 5,830 Earth orbits, and 148,221,665 miles traveled, Discovery has made significant contributions to American exceptionalism. Without Discovery and the other space shuttles, the International Space Station could not have been built. America and the world have learned so much as a result of the investment we made in the space shuttle program.

"Discovery was our Return to Flight vehicle after the Columbia and Challenger disasters.  This shuttle has served its purpose in ways that words cannot adequately describe in the advancement of science and research.

"Thanks to the vision, commitment and talent of those behind the shuttle program, we have come so far.  But we have much more to learn. We cannot surrender our leadership to other countries. America has always been the leader in human space exploration and we must continue that commitment with the next generation vehicle that will surpass the glory of Discovery and the shuttle program.  That is the purpose and benefit of our nation's investment in science and exploration."

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