Wednesday, August 08, 2007 Contact: Sean Oblack (202) 225-4176 Astronaut Who Visited Local Students Launched into Space Today Washington, D.C.  – Today, Space Shuttle Endeavour launched into space on its way to the International Space Station with Commander Scott J. Kelly at the helm.  In November 2003, Congressman Schiff invited NASA astronaut Scott Kelly to speak to students at the San Gabriel Civic Auditorium. During the visit, Congressman Schiff and Commander Kelly answered questions from fifth graders of the San Gabriel Unified School District. “Commander Kelly inspired hundreds of San Gabriel students when he visited us in 2003,” Schiff said.  “Today, he and his fellow astronauts continue to inspire us all – young and old – as they head to space and seek to discover the next great scientific breakthrough.” Every year, Congressman Schiff invites astronauts to speak at area schools to encourage students to pursue interests in math and science. These astronaut visits are part of Congressman Schiff’s "Kids First" agenda of initiatives to improve education, safety, and health care for our children. After serving in the United States Navy as test pilot, Commander Scott Kelly joined NASA in 1996. In 1999, he took part in an 8-day mission during which the crew successfully installed new instruments and upgraded systems on the Hubble Space Telescope. On his current mission, STS-118, Commander Kelly will lead the seven-person crew to the space station to continue construction by delivering a third starboard truss segment. Rep. Schiff was appointed to serve on the House Appropriations Committee in the 110th Congress and is a member of its Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee, the State Department and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, and the Financial Services Subcommittee.  He also serves on the Select Intelligence Oversight Panel and the House Judiciary Committee and its Subcommittee on the Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property. He 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. -30-