[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 331 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 331

       Recognizing Igor I. Sikorsky, a national aviation pioneer.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 23, 2003

Ms. DeLauro (for herself, Mrs. Johnson of Connecticut, Mr. Simmons, Mr. 
     Larson of Connecticut, and Mr. Shays) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and 
                             Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
       Recognizing Igor I. Sikorsky, a national aviation pioneer.

Whereas Igor I. Sikorsky was born in Kiev, Russia, on May 25, 1889;
Whereas Igor I. Sikorsky flew the world's first successful 4-engine aircraft, 
        known as ``The Grand'', in 1912, and repeatedly set the world flight-
        time record for a 4-engine plane;
Whereas Igor I. Sikorsky left Russia after the Russian Revolution and arrived in 
        the United States in 1919;
Whereas Igor I. Sikorsky became a United States Citizen and eventually adopted 
        Connecticut as his home and the home of his business, which has employed 
        thousands of Americans over the last 80 years;
Whereas Igor I. Sikorsky began his first American aviation venture, Sikorsky 
        Aero Engineering Company, in 1923, with a meager budget and the support 
        of a few students and friends;
Whereas this company grew into Sikorsky Aircraft, currently the world leader in 
        the design and manufacture of advanced helicopters for commercial, 
        industrial, and military uses;
Whereas Igor I. Sikorsky is known as the ``Father'' of the modern Helicopter for 
        his success and innovation, as well as for the decades of achievement of 
        the Sikorsky Aircraft Company;
Whereas Igor I. Sikorsky designed and built the first successful single main-
        rotor helicopter, the VS-300, which flew for the first time on September 
        14, 1939;
Whereas Igor I. Sikorsky designed and built the Nation's first military 
        helicopter, the XR-4, in 1942;
Whereas Igor I. Sikorsky built the first mass-produced helicopter, the R-4, in 
        1943;
Whereas the awards and accolades accorded to Mr. Sikorsky are far too many to 
        list, but include the National Medal of Science, the Wright Brothers 
        Memorial Trophy, the United States Air Force Academy's Thomas D. White 
        National Defense Award, and enshrinement in the Aviation and 
        International Aerospace Halls of Fame; and
Whereas Igor I. Sikorsky's life was a resounding affirmation of his famous 
        saying, ``the work of the individual still remains the spark that moves 
        mankind ahead'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors Igor I. Sikorsky as a national aviation pioneer;
            (2) recognizes Igor I. Sikorsky's vision, determination, 
        and immeasurable contribution to the town of Stratford, the 
        State of Connecticut, the United States of America, and the 
        global community; and
            (3) recognizes the legacy left by Igor I. Sikorsky, 
        reflected in the ongoing contributions of the Sikorsky Aircraft 
        Company to the Nation's aviation economy and strong national 
        defense.
                                 <all>