We Call Him Astronaut Nelson

“Many can be a politician, but few have been to space.”

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting again with U.S. Senator Bill Nelson at the DEC Annual FDR/JFK Dinner.

Prior to my meetings with Senator Nelson, or in casual conversation, my wife will always correct the way we refer to him by saying, “you mean Astronaut Nelson”.  My wife says, “Many can be a politician, but few have been to space.”  You see my wife and I were 80s generation children.  In 1986 when we were in high school, Bill Nelson, a U.S. Congressman at the time, became the second sitting member of Congress (and the first member of the House) to travel into space as the Payload Specialist on Space Shuttle Columbia‘s STS-61-C mission. The crew spent 6 days, 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 51 seconds in space from January 12th to 18th, 1986. Interestingly it was also the last successful Space Shuttle flight before the Challenger accident.  The Challenger disaster occurred only 10 days after, then Congressman Nelson’s return on Columbia.  For my wife and me those that have been to space, like Senator Nelson, represent among many things the pride we have for successes of our magnificent country.  That evening “Astronaut Nelson” was kind enough to sign a copy of his official NASA photograph for my wife’s classroom.

If you have not had the pleasure of meeting Senator Nelson I would encourage you, if the opportunity presents itself, to take advantage of it.  He is a caring, educated and well-spoken American who loves our state and nation.  Senator Nelson served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1971.  He was first elected to the U.S. Congress in 1979 and served there until 1991.  In the 2000 Senator Nelson was elected to the U.S. Senate and was re-elected in 2006 and 2012.

During his speech he spoke about the change in Washington D.C. as both sides have become so “polarized” in the last many years.  He explained that in the past those of opposite political sides of the aisle could disagree and debate on how to accomplish issues but that they were all generally focused on goals that were positive for our country.  Unfortunately, he explained, now it is often more about winning a fight than doing what is best.  He expressed the need for more to have the “Art of Compromise” if we are to continue to be a successful nation.  Senator Nelson’s speech reminded me of Edmund Burke’s quote, “All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter.”

If you do have a chance to meet Senator Nelson in the future I would also encourage you, when you see him, to thank him for his service in the military, Florida Legislator and the U.S. Congress, and don’t forget to refer to him as “Astronaut Nelson”.

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