101 STAT. 2070
PROCLAMATION 5603—JAN. 28, 1987
Space exploration and the advanced technology that drives it benefit our laboratories, our industries, our farms, our hospitals, and our homes. This great adventure has enlarged our vision. Going outside our world we have come to know our own planet better—yes, and to love it as a tiny oasis of life in the engulfing vastness and silence of space. Our space program has given us a new confidence in what the future holds. We have seen expanded opportunities for scientific study, for industrial and commercial growth, for security, and for discovery. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to our space pioneers—especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The crew of the Challenger—Michael J. Smith, Francis R. Scobee, Gregory B. Jarvis, Ronald E. McNair, Judith A. Resnik, Ellison S. Onizuka, and S. Christa McAuliffe—set a high standard in education and training, in skill and courage. We can offer them no finer tribute than a pledge from each of us to strive for excellence in whatever we do—to extend our grasp by reaching beyond it. For they have taught us that the sky is not the limit—not for Americans. The Congress, by Public Law 99-478, has designated January 28, 1987, as a "National Day of Excellence" and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim January 28, 1987, as the National Day of Excellence. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of January, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eleventh. ?^.-.t^
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RONALD REAGAN
Proclamation 5603 of January 28, 1987
National Challenger Center Day, 1987
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By the President of the United States of America . ^ .. i A Proclamation Will America continue to lead the world in space exploration as we move into the 21st century? The Challenger crew, lost one year ago on the 25th Space Shuttle mission, dedicated themselves to America's leadership in space exploration. That leadership depends not only on our courage and determination, but also on the knowledge, capability, and inspiration of our students who will be the researchers and the astronauts of the 21st century. A goal of the Space Shuttle Challenger mission was to bring the study of space science directly and dramatically into the Nation's classrooms. In recognition of the critical need to provide America's students with access to outstanding space science education and to motivate study and
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