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NASA astronaut to provide keynote speech...

Reprinted courtesy of the Poweshiek County CR – Chronicle Republican, April 29, 2009. By J.O. Parker, joparker@dmreg.com

NASA Astronaut and Iowa native Peggy A. Whitson, Ph.D., will make a landing in Grinnell Friday.

Whitson, one of NASA’s most experienced astronauts, is the keynote speaker at an event celebrating the launch of the Transportation Heroes Center, an education Web-based exhibit developed by the Iowa Transportation Museum in Grinnell.

The public is invited to attend this free event at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 1, in the Grinnell High School Auditorium.

“It is kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity for a space astronaut to be here,” said Chuck Brooke, executive director of the transportation museum.

Whitson, who was raised in Mt. Ayr, recently completed a six-month tour of duty aboard the International Space State (ISS) as the ISS Commander for Expedition 16 in April 2008. During her career, she has accumulated 377 days in space, the most of any U.S. astronaut.

Also in attendance will be former Iowa Gov. Robert Ray, Iowa Department of Transportation Director Nancy Richardson, and Iowa Transportation Museum Board President Gerry Schnepf.

Brooke said part of the celebration includes the induction of 21 transportation Heroes, mostly from Iowa, in the inaugural Class of 2009 in the Heroes Center.

Among the inductees, according to Brooke, are some local Transportation Heroes. Those being honored include people still living and those who have died, but had a significant impact on the field of transportation.

The Transportation Heroes Center will allow visitors to explore Iowa’s transportation legacy through features, photos and video that tell the stories of the unsung “Transportation Heroes” from across Iowa who have made significant contributions to all forms of transportation.

Brooke said the exhibit might honor a bus driver who logged a million accident-free miles. Heroes may also include those who have made significant contributions to the transportation field.

Visitors to the Heroes Center will also be able to nominate heroes from their own lives to help the exhibit grow.

Content from Transportation Heroes Center will be incorporated in the Iowa Transportation Museum, currently under development at the historic Spaulding Carriage and Automotive Works Factory in Grinnell.

Brooke said the 1913 Spaulding Model 40 owned by the museum will also be on display as part of the celebration. The car is currently being restored by Pat Brooks of Marshalltown, along with several volunteers.

The Grinnell High School auditorium is located at 1333 Sunset St. Guests are asked to park in the back lot, west of the school, near the auditorium.

An open house and reception will follow the presentation and inductee ceremony at the Old Glove Factor at 733 Broad St. in Grinnell.