Hassan-Backed Legislation Honoring Christa McAuliffe Passes House, Heads to President’s Desk

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) issued the following statements after the House of Representatives passed the Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act this afternoon, bipartisan legislation that would create a commemorative coin to honor Christa McAuliffe, the Concord teacher who died aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986. The bill further reaffirms American commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and supports it with proceeds from the coin. After today’s final vote in the House, the bill will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

The Space Shuttle Challenger crew included Christa McAuliffe, Dick Scobee, Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Mike Smith and Ellison Onizuka.

“For more than 30 years, Granite State students have grown up learning about the life and legacy of Christa McAuliffe. Now, with this commemorative coin we can help share that tribute far and wide, while also investing in the cause that was closest to her heart: education,” said Senator Shaheen. “By promoting support for science education, this bill will help create and foster a new generation of leaders in STEM, through whom Christa’s ideals of promoting and expanding scientific knowledge and exploration will live on. I urge the President to sign this legislation into law as soon as possible.”

“Christa McAuliffe dedicated her life to furthering STEM education, and this coin bill will honor her mission of inspiring the next generation,” Senator Enzi said. “I look forward to seeing McAuliffe’s memory live on through the students who will benefit from the proceeds of this bill. I’m hopeful it will be signed into law soon.”

“Christa McAuliffe embodied what it means to pursue your passions and make a difference,” said Senator Hassan. “The proceeds from this commemorative coin will support STEM education and help develop STEM leaders, something Christa worked to do every day in her classroom at Concord High School and what she hoped to do as the first teacher in space. I’m glad to see that our bipartisan effort is now only one step away from becoming law.”

Read the Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act bill text here.

###