Today the frontier is space and the boundaries of human knowledge. Sometimes when we reach for the stars， we fall short. But we must pick ourselves up again and press on despite the pain. Our nation is indeed fortunate that we can still draw on immense reservoirs of courage， character and fortitude—that we’re still blessed with heroes like those of the space shuttle Challenger.
Dick Scobee knew that every launching of a space shuttle is a technological miracle. And he said， “If something ever does go wrong， I hope that doesn’t mean the end to the space shuttle program.” Every family member I talked to asked specifically that we continue the program， that that is what their departed loved one would want above all else. We will not disappoint them.
Today we promise Dick Scobee and his crew that their dream lives on， that the future they worked so hard to build will become reality. The dedicated men and women of NASA have lost seven members of their family. Still， they， too， must forge ahead with a space program that is effective， safe and efficient， but bold and committed.
Man will continue his conquest of space. To reach out for new goals and ever greater achievements—that is the way we shall commemorate our seven Challenger heroes.
Dick， Mike， Judy， El， Ron， Greg and Christa—your families and your country mourn your passing. We bid you goodbye； we will never forget you. For those who knew you well and loved you， the pain will be deep and enduring. A nation， too， will long feel the loss of her seven sons and daughters， her seven good friends. We can find consolation only in faith， for we know in our hearts that you who flew so high and so proud now make your home beyond the stars， safe in God’s promise of eternal life.
May God bless you all and give you comfort in this difficult time.
參考譯文
今天，我們聚集在一起，悼念七位美國勇士，分擔共同的悲哀。也許通過這種分擔，能夠找到承受悲痛的力量和尋求希望的勇氣。