Chairman Hall Statement on Passing of Sally Ride, First U.S. Woman to Fly in Space

Washington DC – Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Ralph Hall (R-TX) today released the following statement after the announcement that Sally Ride has passed away at the age of 61.

“I am very saddened by the news that my friend Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut to fly in space, has passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. Sally was an inspiration to all, and her historic flight into space showed aspiring young women that they too could be successful in fields such as physics and engineering that had historically been dominated by men. Generations to come will reflect on Sally as an individual who broke barriers, demonstrated brave leadership, and taught the world to think a little differently. Sally’s legacy will be reflected in all of the young girls she inspired to pursue careers in science and engineering.”