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[[preprinted letterhead]] 
E. J. (JAKE) GARN
UTAH

SD 505 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
Telephone: 202-224-5444

JEFF M. BINGHAM
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

United States Senate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510

COMMITTEES:
APPROPRIATIONS
BANKING, HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
RULES AND ADMINISTRATION

[[/preprinted letterhead]]

September 12, 1986

Mr. Robert M. Adams
Secretary 
Smithsonian Institution
1000 Jefferson Drive, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20560

Dear Mr. Secretary,

As you are no doubt aware, since the accident of the space shuttle Challenger and the loss of her seven courageous crew members in January of this year, there have been a number of independent proposals made by a variety of groups and individuals as to the most appropriate manner in which to memorialize those who lost their lives in that tragedy.

Among those who have been considering various memorialization alternatives, as you might expect, have been the immediate families of the Challenger crew members. After serious and careful consideration, the immediate family members have arrived at the conclusion that the most fitting commemoration would be one which reflects the educational mission that became the goal of all of the crew members, who counted among their number the first Teacher in Space, Christa MacAuliffe.

The families feel very strongly about continuing that educational mission, and that doing so would be the most meaningful and lasting commemoration of the sacrifice of their loved ones. They have proposed and dedicated themselves to the establishment of a Children's Challenge Center For Space Science Education. Their vision is that such a center would be a "living memorial", to the seven Challenger crew members. It would be a source of learning and inspiration to children, through interactive exhibits and displays designed to teach basic principles of science and technology and, even more importantly, to instill in them a fascination for the sciences and encourage them to pursue a program of education in the fields of science and technology.

In addition to providing exposure and incentive to children, the Center would develop curricula and teaching aids for teachers to use in the classroom to bring new meaning and interest in the sciences, and provide teacher-training and development for those educators involved in the teaching of the sciences in our