"Dr. Bernard Anthony Harris Jr.(June 26,1956)

Is a former NASA astronaut.On February 9, 1995,Bernard became the first African American to perform an extra-vehicular activity (spacewalk),during the second of his two Space Shuttle flights.He graduated from Sam Houston High School,also San Antonio Texas,In 1974,where was actively involved in science fairs,book clubs and other school activities.He received a B.S. degree in biology from University of Houston in 1978.He earned his MD degree from Texas Tech University Science Center School of Medicine in 1982.Bernard completed a residency in internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in 1985.He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,inc.Bernard completed a National Research Council Fellowship at NASA's Ames Research Center in 1987.While at Ames,he conducted research in musculoskeletal physilogy and disuse.He also trained as a flight surgeon at the Aerospace School of Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio in 1988.Dr. Harris received a master's degree in biomedical science from The University of Texas Medical Branch in 1996.He also a licensed private pilot and certified scuba diver.After completing his fellowship at NASA Ames,he joined NASA Ames,he joined NASA's Johnson Space Center as a clinical scientist and flight surgeon,where he conducted clinical investigations of space adaptation and developed countermeasures for extended duration space flight.He was the first African American man to go in space as one of NASA's research teams and was involved in the construction of the space rovers.He now has a school dedicated to him.The school's name is Dr. Bernard A. Harris Middle School.He is a member of many professional,and academic and service organizations,including the American College of Physicians,Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society,and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.He is a board member of the Boys and Girls Clubof Houston,National Science Math and Science Initiative,Medical Informatics,Technology and Applications Center,and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute,Board of Scientific Counselors.He has been recognized several times by NASA and other organizations for his professional and academic achievements.In 1996,he recieved an honorary doctorate from the Morehouse College School of Medicine.He later received honorary doctorates from Stonybrook University,New Jersey Institute of Technology,and the University of Houston.He has also received a NASA Space flight medal,a NASA Award of Merit,a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the 2000 Horatio Alger Award.In 2005,the North East Independent School District in San Antonio,Texas named a middle school under construction after Benard.The Bernard Harris Middle School opened August 14,2006,to have a capacity of 1500 students.Bernard became interested in being an Astronault by watching Niel Armstrong step on the moon on TV.Selected by NASA IN January 1990,he became and astronault in July 1991,and qualified for assignment as a mission specialist on future Space Shuttle flight crews.He served as the crew representative for Shuttle Software in the Astronault Office Operations Developments Branch.Bernard was assigned as a mission specialist on STS-55,Spacelab D-2,in August 1991.He flew on board Columbia for ten days,(April 26,-May 6,1993);on the mission the Shuttle reached one year of accumulated flight time.Bernard was part of the payload crew of spacelab D-2,conducting a variety of research in physical and life sciences.During this flight,He logged over 239 hours and 4,164,183 miles in space.His second mission was as the Payload Commander on STS-63 (February 2,1995-February 11, 1995),the first flight of the new joint Russian-American Space Program.Missions highlights included the first rendezvous (but not docking) with the Russian space station mir and retrieval of Spartan 204 satelite.During the flight,Bernard became the first African-American to walk in space,while fellow Astronault Michael Foale became the first British-born spacewalker.(It was on this flight that Eileen Collins became the first female Shuttle pilot.)On this mission,Bernard logged 198 hours,29 minutes in space,completed 129 orbits,and traveled over 2.9million miles.He left NASA in April 1996,but has continued research.He served as Vice President of SPACELAB,Inc.,and innovative space commercialization company,where he directed the company's space science business.He also served as Vice President of Business Development for space Media,Inc.,an Informatics company,establishing an e-commerce initiative that is now part of the United Nation's education program.In 1998,he founded The Harris Foundation,A Houston,Texas based non-profit organization,whose stated mission is "to invest in community-based initiatives to support education,health and wealth.THF supports programs that empower individuals,in particular minorities and other economically and/or socially disadvantaged,to recognized their potential and pursue their dreams.In 2008,he appeared in Microsoft's "I'm a P.C." ad campaign.He also gave a keynote speech at the Exxon Mobil Texas State Science and Engineering fair.In 2009,he was elected Vice President of the American Telemedicine Association.In 2010, he was part of the Dream Tour,where he travelled to over 30 schools around the country.