Senate Resolution No. 494

BY: Senator AKSHAR

CONGRATULATING NASA Astronaut Doug Hurley upon the
occasion of piloting the new SpaceX Crew Dragon
spacecraft to the International Space Station on May
27, 2020

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate NASA Astronaut Doug Hurley upon the occasion of piloting
the new SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station
on Wednesday, May 27, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Born October 21, 1966, in Endicott, New York, Doug Hurley
is an American engineer, former United States Marine Corps pilot and
current NASA astronaut; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, Doug Hurley piloted
space shuttle missions STS-127 in July of 2009, and STS-135 in July of
2011, the final flight of the space shuttle program; and

WHEREAS, Astronaut Doug Hurley launched into space for the third
time as commander of Crew Dragon Demo-2, the first crewed spaceflight
from American soil since STS-135 and became one of the first two
astronauts, together with Bob Behnken, launching aboard a commercial
orbital spacecraft in spaceflight history; he was also the first Marine
to fly the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet; and

WHEREAS, On Wednesday, May 27, 2020, Astronaut Doug Hurley entered
the brand-new SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and launched into orbit
aboard a Falcon 9 rocket on a journey to the International Space Station
(ISS); and

WHEREAS, This final test flight of the Crew Dragon capsule marked
the first time that American astronauts will launch from American soil
since the shuttering of the Space Shuttle program in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the test flight marked a new era in American
spaceflight, validating SpaceX's crew transport capabilities and
providing the opportunity for the United States to launch its own
astronauts for the first time in nearly a decade; and

WHEREAS, Astronaut Doug Hurley has a unique perspective on the
development of American spaceflight technology, as he piloted space
shuttle missions including the final flight of the program in 2011; in
the intervening years, spacecraft and their attendant technology have
developed considerably, in terms of size, efficiency, and safety; and

WHEREAS, The majority of the test flight of the Crew Dragon was
automated, with Doug Hurley and a fellow astronaut on hand to take over
manual control of the spacecraft only if necessary; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Astronaut Doug Hurley, the
test flight is also significant as a model for the role that private
companies like SpaceX play in future NASA operations; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to reflect upon
those outstanding individuals who have made everlasting contributions on
behalf of their fellow man and have truly left their mark on this great
Empire State and Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate NASA Astronaut Doug Hurley upon the occasion of piloting
the new SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station
on May 27, 2020; and

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to NASA Astronaut Doug Hurley.