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Former NASA Astronaut Jose Hernandez, and current congressional candidate, has written an inspiring book for young Latinos.
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Everybody watching Fox News Latino dot com and today we have the inspiring story of a migrant farm worker turned NASA astronaut.
His name is Jose Hernandez and he is here with us today.
Well really for -- -- -- book called reaching for the stars -- you know tell me what how does is why did you decide right.
This what I said to write this but because I give a lot of -- -- who to students at schools.
And I tell my life story.
And in the way that that they can see a lot of themselves and -- and it inspires them and me gives -- a -- a sense of self empowerment.
That if I was able to do it from humble beginnings then they can reach for their own stars and I figured if I write the book and tell the story and and long format.
That -- more more kids can read it and be inspired to -- for their counselors.
How did you decide you wanted to become an astronaut in the -- -- in the place you know why as a kid.
And now working as white farmer.
Well you know in the the unfortunate -- grew up in the era where I still remember the the tail end of the Apollo program.
And watching folks like Neil Armstrong -- -- unlocked on the surface of the moon and then the last man -- welcome concerned and and then the fact that we had Star Trek -- -- that hurt either because.
Because -- that inspired me to become an astronaut and and I think my father even though he had a third grade education.
Head you know was a very is that there is Smart man and he sent me down and gave me five point plan to reach my my my agreement as there is simply sit.
And identify what you want to be in life.
Then then recognize how far you are from a drug yourself a roadmap and don't take shortcuts that you may get their but he won't be well prepared.
And fourth -- yourself in education.
And fifth and final he says -- -- work -- you.
You put out and picking tomatoes and cucumbers you put in your books and in your job always give them more than what they expect this is mixed on that -- -- whatever you want.
It's an incredible message you are summaries for anybody out there you know when you're sitting there you're watching the Apollo program obviously in the late.
Neil Armstrong to jesuit passed away and what kind of affected Neil Armstrong himself the first man to walk and then what do we have all on you.
The profound effect because he was the first one I saw.
Basically doing what I wanted to do and he was walking on the surface of the moon.
And you know gave those the debt that that that payments quote.
-- -- you know one small step for man one giant leap for mankind.
And and it just inspired me and that in this is what I wanna be and what I'm most admired about -- New -- -- though is.
Is after it is career as an astronaut.
He he remained humbled as possible and and so he's sort of a role model that I continue to follow is is I wanna always want to make sure that.
-- we remember a humble beginnings and remain humble throughout the process.
-- you retired in 2011.
And you were national 2000 not supposed to does not 2011.
-- you're active.
And -- and now -- -- career right arm and now you're -- writing books but you're also running for office that's intense congressional district in California.
You're running as a Democrat.
And you -- your primary.
Congratulations.
Thinking why it what are you expecting in this you know come November.
Yes wolf we're supposed to look -- vacation ideas got selected in 2004.
All the way through 2011 or as an -- and I -- in 2009.
But but but in terms of running for office.
You know I think I think what what what.
Washington needs is is more citizen candidates like myself you know there's an old saying that Washington DC is.
What 87 square miles surrounded by reality and I like to think that I am.
Going to be part of that reality being injected in Washington bring reality back into Washington and bring folks back that.
-- in the decision making process that know what a gallon of milk costs know what a gallon gas someone -- -- their own gas into the court.
Those that but things because you know.
That way we know what's important for America and what's important right now.
You know my platform is jobs jobs jobs and education those are things we should be focusing on.
And our district is hurting I mean we're at the epicenter of the mortgage foreclosure crisis.
In the central valley there and our unemployment it's still almost twice the national average national average eight point 2%.
We're about a little over 15% so so we're Burton and we have to do something about it.
There's we couldn't really expect to very close race between you and wrote the Republican Jeff debt -- -- What -- what about.
Are you are you expect you're expecting a little bit of contentious race and imagine maybe a little bit as as it gets closer to November but I know already they -- you -- once you put astronaut.
On the -- there's a bit of controversy over whether you should have.
Astronaut.
Next to your name I mean apple what -- what about that.
Yes I mean that that was the one of the first.
I guess stunts that -- Republican Party -- during my races they they took me to court superior court to challenge.
The fact that I was putting astronaut in my title in the ballot and to mean it's ridiculous because as the judge said no we consider.
Neil Armstrong and astronauts there and Castro we consider senator John wins though and that's why can't doctor and then this be considered best.
And I and so it got thrown out of court rightfully so.
And so you will see astronaut next to my name and about what can people expect and -- might surprise and out of your book.
Well I think it's it's the story of perseverance I think woman -- -- is the fact that.
What you ought to look at it is it took me twelve years that gets elected.
So there's just those that sits ingredient from a in my father's recipe would be perseverance is don't give up.
And if you read the book you'll see how I navigating my professional career to make myself -- more attractive candidate for NASA to -- -- -- an -- And that could be true.
In any career and not just using -- it's not a book on how to become an astronaut but rather.
It -- how to 222.
To make sure you you achieve what you want to achieve them alive.
Well you know thank you so much for being with us and very much appreciated and -- and identity should get the book reaching for the stars by national Jose Hernandez.
