Local Lawmaker to Bring Veteran Spacewalker
to Emery Park and Northrup Elementary Schools on October 11
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) is bringing Space Shuttle veteran Michael “Mike” L. Gernhardt to Emery Park and Northrup Elementary Schools this Monday to talk at student assemblies. “Dr. Gernhardt has led an extraordinary career in space,” Congressman Schiff said. “I am sure that the students will enjoy hearing about his flights aboard the Space Shuttle and his remarkable spacewalks.”
When: Monday, October 11
9:00-10:00 a.m.
Where: Emery Park Elementary School
2821 W. Commonwealth Ave.
Alhambra
(626) 308-2408
When: Monday, October 11
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Where: Northrup Elementary School
409 S. Atlantic Blvd.
Alhambra
(626) 308-2431
Born in 1956 and raised in Ohio, Dr. Gernhardt received his doctorate in bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991. He worked for several years as an engineer and deep sea diver in subsea oil projects, and began his NASA career at Houston’s Johnson Space Center in 1992. Dr. Gernhardt has since spent more than 43 days in outer space as part of four Space Shuttle missions, and has taken four space walks totaling more than 23 hours. He has earned numerous honors, including the Exceptional Achievement Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, two Exceptional Service Medals and four NASA Space Flight Medals.
Congressman Schiff has been a strong supporter of space exploration, research and education. He has worked diligently to provide robust federal funding for NASA and has secured federal funds for specific projects such as Griffith Observatory’s educational programs. He is the author of legislation creating a Congressional Science Competition (H.Res. 604) for high school students and has hosted Congressional Science Scholar Forums for high school and college students. Dr. Gernhardt’s visit will mark the fourth annual time Schiff has brought an astronaut to local schools. Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.