posted 02-12-2007 11:56 PM               

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President Bush recognized NASA astronauts Joan Higginbotham, right, and Robert Curbeam, during a ceremony honoring African-American History Month, on Monday, Feb. 12 in the East Room at the White House in Washington.

Curbeam and Higginbotham were crew members of Discovery's STS-116 mission in December 2006. It was the first shuttle mission with two African-American crew members.

President Bush called STS-116, "one of the most challenging missions in NASA's history" and added, "I really appreciate the fact that they are furthering humanity's path of discovery, and I appreciate the fact that you say loud and clear, our country is unlimited in its opportunities for people from all walks of life."

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