The message reads, in part:
“Your strong will, ambition, tenacity and sincere wish to serve your homeland have always helped you to be a highly-sought professional and to succeed in the most demanding and highly responsible tasks. I want to particularly highlight your wonderful personality and consideration for people and their problems.”
Valentina Tereshkova is the world’s first woman cosmonaut, who made her spaceflight in 1963. She serves as deputy chair of the State Duma Committee on Federal Structure and Local Government.