Contact: Colleen Roche/Jack Deacy (212) 788-2958
The parade marked the second trip up the Canyon of Heroes for Senator Glenn, who was first honored by the City on March 1, 1962, nine days after he became the first American to orbit the Earth. Thirty-six years later, the 77-year-old Glenn became the oldest American to travel in space during a nine-day, 3.6 million mile journey aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery with fellow crew members, Commander Curt Brown, Pilot Steve Lindsey, Mission Specialists Steve Robinson, Scott Parazynski and Pedro Duque of Spain and Payload Specialist Chiaki Mukai of the Japanese Space Agency.
Joining the Mayor in honoring the Discovery crew at City Hall were National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator Dan Goldin, Walter Cronkite, who coined the famous "Godspeed John Glenn" line while covering the 1962 launch, Schools Chancellor Rudy Crew and family members of the crew.
"It's wonderful to celebrate the accomplishments of John Glenn and the entire crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery," Mayor Giuliani said. "As a Senator, Grandfather, Astronaut, Fighter Pilot, and Hero, John Glenn has proven his courage time and time again throughout his life, and throughout his career in public service.
"As incredible and inspirational as John Glenn's accomplishments have been, we're not only here to honor a man," the Mayor continued. "We're here to honor a spirit of exploration that has captivated the people of the world for an entire generation, and that has yielded tremendous scientific results and spiritual results for the people of the world. The journey of this crew was the best thing that could happen to all the children who dream about the possibility of space travel. It will fire their imaginations and spark their interest in astronomy, physics, computing, biology and all kinds of science.
"But even for the children who have no plans to pursue science, but plan instead on being social workers, English teachers, writers, painters, public servants, businessmen and women or anything else, this mission and this man will inspire them to work hard, be persistent, confront their challenges and pursue their dreams. This is the most important message of today's celebration."
Continental Airlines was a major sponsor of today's celebration. The Daily News, Pepsi, Krispy Kreame Donuts, the Red Cross also helped with arrangements and provided food, drinks and printed materials.