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Minnesota House of Representatives

State Representative John Ward

375 State Office BuildingState Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4333

For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877

Posted: 2007-08-29 00:00:00
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Thanks to oganizers of summer events

Dear Editor,
This summer, I have had the incredible opportunity to participate in two area events that were truly inspiring. The first was the 50th anniversary celebration of the Man High flight of Dr. David Simons, who was launched by a thirty-story balloon over 100 thousand feet into the air out of the Portsmouth mine pit near Crosby. This secret, pre-NASA mission, was carried out at great risk to Dr. Simons to determine the effects on man of time spent on the threshold of outer space. The results of the tests carried out by Dr. Simons while in space paved the way for future space exploration and many are still being used by NASA.
Now fifty years later, Dr. Simons came back to Crosby to be recognized and honored for his achievement, one that put Crosby on the world map with regard to space travel. I had the great honor of addressing the gathering at the Portsmouth Overlook, and was humbled to meet Dr. Simons, who lit up the gathering with his enthusiasm and knowledge.
The second event, while an everyday occurrence for many people, was just as inspiring and life altering for all of the participants. I served as a captain for the annual Fishing Has No Boundaries event, an occasion for people with disabilities to get out on the lake and fish. I would encourage anyone who has never participated in an event such as this to get involved; I came away with much more than I gave and look forward to taking part again next year.
Congratulations to everyone who was involved in these two awesome events.

Sincerely,
State Representative John Ward, Brainerd

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