Tennessean and NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore was honored on the floor of the Tennessee House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Wilmore, who was born in Murfreesboro and grew up in Mt. Juliet, arrived at the International Space Station in June 2024 along with NASA astronaut Suni Williams for what was initially planned for a week-long trip on a Boeing Starliner flight.
We were honored to host NASA Astronaut, retired Navy pilot, and Tennessee native Butch Wilmore on the House floor today! pic.twitter.com/7GOLX5htRc
— TN House Republicans (@tnhousegop) April 16, 2025
The spacecraft, however, returned to Earth in September without Williams and Wilmore after NASA decided the flight home was too risky given a number of mechanical issues – including helium leaks and propulsion issues – the craft experienced during the arrival mission.
Wilmore and Williams safely returned to Earth on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft which splashed down off the coast of Florida in the Gulf of America on March 18.
At the beginning of Wednesday’s House Floor Session, Wilmore was honored with the reading of HJR 0517, a resolution recognizing his “pioneering career” with the U.S. Navy and NASA.
The resolution was passed unanimously and signed by Governor Bill Lee last week.
Tennessee State Representative Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville) introduced Wilmore on the House floor, saying, “Captain Wilmore represents the best of Tennessee. Not only does he represent the best, he does it with such grace and kindness.”
Wilmore spoke briefly, expressing his gratitude for the state of Tennessee.
“We live in Texas, but our home is Tennessee. I’m proud to be a Tennessean. I will go to my grave as a Tennessean,” Wilmore said while speaking in front of state lawmakers.
Wilmore’s presence at the Tennessee State Capitol came one day after the NASA astronaut threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville for the Tennessee Volunteers men’s baseball game against the Bellarmine Knights.
From Knoxville to space… then back to Knoxville.
VFL and NASA Astronaut Butch Wilmore threw out Tuesday's ceremonial first pitch at Lindsey Nelson Stadium! pic.twitter.com/0JZcFaN72P
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 16, 2025
Wilmore’s story will go down in Volunteer State history as his legacy is preserved in the Tennessee State Museum’s “Tennessee Transforms” exhibit through the display of his T-38 flight helmet and blue suit which he wore for NASA proficiency training in a Northrup T-38 Talon aircraft from 2012 to 2014.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Tennessee House of Representatives Honors Butch Wilmore” by Tennessee House of Representatives.
