NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe is among the speakers scheduled to formally inaugurate a campaign Tuesday, Sept. 16, to raise funds to support the families of the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. EDT at the National Press Club in Washington.

The Columbia Memorial Trust was announced Sept. 16 and will assist the families of Columbia's crew, help erect memorials in honor of STS-107, and pursue various activities that build awareness about space programs.

Volunteers from a wide variety of space, defense, and entertainment fields have given their time and resources to establish and guide the Columbia Memorial Trust. They include actor Tom Cruise; Academy Award winning filmmakers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer; space pioneer and former U.S. Senator John Glenn; Chairman Emeritus of Lockheed Martin Corporation Norman Augustine; Warner Brothers Entertainment President Alan Horn; Director of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum General Jack Dailey; President and Chief Executive Officer of the Edelman public relations firm Richard W. Edelman; and a number of former NASA astronauts, including Frank Culbertson, Charles Bolden, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, and Guion "Guy" Bluford.

The Trust is also championed by an ex officio membership of public officials including Administrator O'Keefe.

The Administrator's remarks will be replayed on NASA Television. Anyone interested in attending the event should contact Laurie Rossbach, 202/326-1797.

For information about the Columbia Shuttle Memorial Trust on the Internet, visit http://www.columbia7trust.org/.