 I may get a remark because there are many here who probably don't know that in addition to the men we're honoring today that there are in our midst as a great part of this audience many in those pioneers out into space our astronauts going back to the very beginning of the program could I ask that all of you who are just that description all of you to please stand up we're a very distinguished company believe me commander young and captain griffin all the world held his breath at the silent moments of your re-entry when we finally heard your voices again all the world knew america had begun into age you mainly moments ago I had the privilege of decorating commander young captain griffin for their personal courage and the honor they have brought to our nation it's also honored dr. alan lovelace who is here with today but more about that later I presented to john young the congressional space medal of honor our highest award for achievement in space and to both him and bob griffin the nasa distinguished service medal the highest award the space agency can bestow these men have traveled across the country since their shuttle flight and I think they now must be conscious of and realize that to all america they've now become john and the american people have welcomed them with tremendous affection and no wonder through them we will be in part of a greatness pushing wider on the boundaries of our freedom as I told them before they took off through them we all felt as giants once again and once again we felt a surge of pride that comes from knowing that we're the first we're the best and we are so because we're free space shuttle is the world's first true space transportation system it'll be the space workhorse for many years to come soon we'll have the operational capability that will place cargo in orbit for a variety of users because we lead the world in science space travel we're on the cutting edge of technology and discovery the shuttle will affect american life in both subtle and dramatic ways of bringing energy and excitement into our national renewal the flight of the columbia was a victory for the american spirit john young and bob griffin both made us very proud indeed reminded us that we as a free people can accomplish whatever we set out to do nothing finds our abilities except our expectations and given that the farthest star is within our reach the paraphrase john green leaf wittier we are the people who have thrown the windows of our souls wide open to the sun we will follow as we can where our hearts have long since gone and progress will be ours americans have shown the world that we are not only we not only dream great dreams we dare to live those great dreams and now i would like to introduce a man whose leadership on high standards has made a success of the columbia possible ladies and gentlemen the acting director of nature dr allen m love lakes i'd like to ask uh join me and vice president butch would you please sir join me here at the uh we brought you here to washington i'd like to present it to you today suitable for flying or riding it's a great honor for bob and i to be here today and we'd also like to make a presentation to the president that tells for all of you who contributed so much to this program just exactly what it's all about didn't say a lot please always significant to me that the united states flag is the biggest thing on there let's never forget that and this vice president the same kind of a meadow you won't mind if i only wear this within births atmosphere thank you all very much and now i think there's two individuals here that you'd like to meet also because i think they have to be just as courageous or even more so than those who make the flight i think you'd like to see the