These explorers bravely undertook this journey, fulfilling a dream that many work a lifetime to achieve yet few accomplish. Columbia’s crewmembers were pilots, physicians, soldiers, scientists, and patriots. Above all they were fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, and friends. It is my hope that their legacy will continue to encourage people around the globe to look beyond the confines of earth for new challenges and inspiration.

That these heroes traveled so far and were so close to returning to their loved ones makes this loss even more upsetting. What had otherwise been a routine and successful mission turned tragic on Saturday morning, and I trust there will be a full investigation into this shocking accident to ensure that future shuttle missions do not meet the same fate.

I join all Rhode Islanders in mourning the tragic loss of Shuttle Commander Rick D. Husband, Pilot William C. McCool, Payload Commander Michael P. Anderson, Mission Specialists David M. Brown, Kalpana Chawla and Laurel Clark and Israel's first astronaut, Ilan Ramon.

My thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones as we remember their lives and honor their immense contributions to space exploration.