Statement from President Ronald
Reagan - 12-8-83
The whole world is delighted
to see Columbia and Spacelab back on the ground, safe and sound after a
truly successful 10-day adventure.
Our congratulations to the entire
shuttle team - the astronauts as well as the thousands on the ground who
made this mission possible. In particular, I want to thank the dean of
American astronauts, Commander John Young, our German friend, Ulf Merbold,
the European Space Agency, and all the folks at NASA. Well done!
Your great success is a shining
example of what free people working together can do. This cooperative effort
between Americans and Europeans will add to our treasure of human knowledge
and be put to practical use, improving our lives on Earth.
New horizons have been discovered
and old boundaries pushed back. It proves that there's never a time when
we should stop dreaming. We will continue to challenge our imagination
and aim high. The ultimate frontier of space will be a quest for mankind's
highest aspirations - the opportunity for individuals, cooperation among
nations, and peace on Earth.
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