NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, on Wednesday honored Captain Barry “Butch” Wilmore following his historic 286-day stay on the International Space Station. House Joint Resolution 517 recognizes Wilmore for his Volunteer Spirit, patriotism and invaluable contributions to America’s space flight program. Wilmore, a native Tennessean, embarked on what was supposed to be […]
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, on Wednesday honored Captain Barry “Butch” Wilmore following his historic 286-day stay on the International Space Station.
House Joint Resolution 517 recognizes Wilmore for his Volunteer Spirit, patriotism and invaluable contributions to America’s space flight program. Wilmore, a native Tennessean, embarked on what was supposed to be an eight-day mission to space aboard a Boeing Starliner with fellow astronaut Suni Williams. The spacecraft experienced technical issues, extending the week-long journey to nine months.
“Butch Wilmore represents the best of Tennessee and it’s a great honor to have the opportunity to recognize him on the House floor,” Williams said. “His incredible attitude, faith in Jesus Christ and perseverance during his nine-month space mission are an inspiration to all Tennesseans and a reminder of what makes our nation great. I thank Butch for his patriotism and Volunteer Spirit, and I look forward to seeing his continued contributions to science through space exploration.”
The two astronauts safely returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule on March 18, when they splashed down off the Florida coast.
Wilmore is a decorated NASA astronaut and a veteran of three spaceflights, accumulating 464 days in space and more than nine months aboard the International Space Station. Only five American astronauts in history have spent more days in space on a single mission than Wilmore.
“Walking up the (Capitol) steps with those busts of James K. Polk and Andrew Jackson and others, David Crockett, I remember back to my seventh grade Tennessee history class and going through all the Tennessee history and what this state has meant to our nation,” Wilmore told members of the House on Wednesday. “I’m proud to be a Tennessean. I will go to my grave as a Tennessean. And I’m grateful for that.”
Wilmore presented House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, with a Tennessee state flag that he flew while aboard the International Space Station, the only state flag flown during his nine-month mission.
Born in Murfreesboro, Wilmore grew up in Mt. Juliet and attended Tennessee Technological University and the University of Tennessee Space Institute. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School and proudly served as a Navy officer and aviator, completing 21 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. Wilmore currently serves as a member of the Tennessee Technological University Board of Trustees and participated in board meetings from space.
Wilmore was first selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2000.
State Rep. Ryan Williams of Cookeville represents House District 42, which includes part of Putnam County.