Senator John H. Glenn
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Senator Glenn:

As a fellow space exploration enthusiast, I want to extend my congratulations to you on your upcoming flight aboard the Space Shuttle DISCOVERY scheduled for this October. I heard the announcement on the evening news yesterday, Senator Glenn, and I cannot tell you how happy I am for you!

I was born 41 years ago in October of 1956, and eight months after my birth I was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Type II, which is one of the 40 different types of neuromuscular diseases more commonly known as Muscular Dystrophy.

Since the age of 4, Senator Glenn, the space program has held great interest for me. I have a memory, albeit rather dim, of the suborbital flight made by Alan B. Shepherd on May 4, 1961. From that day in May, I have been a very avid backer of NASA and its space exploration efforts. I so do wish that the American public knew of just how many benefits we have all received from our space program. This computer/word processor/printer that I am typing this letter to you on, Senator Glenn, is most certainly one of those wonderful benefits.

The computer itself has more power than all of the computers that were used during the first manned lunar landing on July 20, 1969 by Apollo 11. That fact is amazing in itself, but what really is fascinating regarding my computer is that I operate it by voice commands. The software within this marvelous machine enables me to run the entire computer/word processor/printer/Internet system merely by speaking into a headset microphone. As you know, Senator Glenn, this very same type of headset microphone I am using , is the exact same piece of equipment that was developed for the people working at Mission Control in Houston. Each time I put this headset on, I feel somewhat of a kinship with those good folks past, present and future. If it were not for the United States space program, I wouldn't be using a computer; it is only through space technology that is now in the civilian sector that I am able to do so. Before the advent of America's efforts in space, the most rapid technological advancement for humankind was war. NASA has never fired a shot in anger...indeed, it is infinitely better to move humanity forward by Peace rather than War.

The reason I use voice recognition software, Senator Glenn, is that I have no use of my hands and arms due to my neuromuscular disease. It was quite a task to come up with this system and, at my age, a challenge to learn to operate this system. But, like NASA and those of you in the Astronaut Corps, nothing is impossible if you put your mind to the chore at hand and apply yourself.

In closing, Senator Glenn, again I congratulate you on your upcoming mission aboard the good spaceship DISCOVERY. I will be with you and her crew in spirit.

To reiterate the words that were spoken by Mission Control during the lift-off of FRIENDSHIP 7 on February 20, 1962...

"Godspeed John Glenn..."