[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 A SPECIAL SALUTE TO OKLAHOMA ARTIST SANDRA VAN ZANDT AND THE NATIONAL 
               MUSEUM OF NAVAL AVIATION IN PENSACOLA, FL

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                           HON. DAVE McCURDY

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 4, 1994

  Mr. McCURDY. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to salute Talala, OK, 
sculptress Sandra Van Zandt whose bronze sculptures of wild and 
domestic animals grace collections throughout the United States. Based 
on Ms. Van Zandt's exceptional artistry, the Naval Aviation Museum 
Foundation selected her to cast in bronze a larger-than-life tribute to 
the history, courage, loyalty, and honor of naval aviators.
  The detail and craftsmanship of Ms. Van Zandt's creation, the Naval 
Aviator Monument, has captured the noble history of naval aviation and 
will keep its alive for generations to come--as the centerpiece of a 
$9-million expansion to the National Museum of Naval Aviation in 
Pensacola, FL. It is one of the three largest air and space museums in 
the world and is toured annually by more than half a million visitors.
  Future museumgoers will cast their eyes upon the 9-foot-tail bronze 
sculptures that honor naval aviators at five significant stages in 
naval aviation history--the early years and World War I, World War II, 
early postwar and Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm and the modern 
years.
  The Naval Aviator Monument will be unveiled the evening of Dec. 6--
Pearl Harbor Day--at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in 
Washington, DC, at a ceremony honoring Ms. Van Zandt and the monument's 
sponsors.
  This Oklahoma artist--who, by the way, has also designed The Cherokee 
Kid monument to Will Rogers to be dedicated at Oologah, OK, on the 60th 
anniversary of his death--has preserved for posterity the spirit of 
naval aviation and those naval aviators whose sky-high courage has 
helped and continues to keep Americans safe and our country free.
  Many Americans will have the opportunity to appreciate Ms. Van 
Zandt's artistry as the monument tours the Nation during 1995. I hope 
by calling attention to this exceptional Oklahoma sculptress that many 
more will make plans to see the Naval Aviator Monument following its 
installation in late 1995 in its permanent home at the National Museum 
of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, FL. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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