[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S15840-S15841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ADVISORY COMMISSION ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I am honored to serve as a member of the 
Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations [ACIR]. In this era 
of ``new federalism,'' the government must create a partnership with 
state and local governments that is based on balanced, decentralized 
decision making. These governments have been the laboratories for 
change for the last 20 years. A streamlined and more flexible 
intergovernmental system will offer significant opportunities for state 
and local governments to develop more innovative and cost effective 
methods of delivering programs and services. State and local 
governments are now ready to rise to the challenges of this new era in 
history--the Information Age--where experimentation and local control 
are needed.
  For example, as this Congress moves to balance the budget and restore 
fiscal responsibility and accountability at the federal level, it 
cannot do so on the backs of state and local governments. My 
involvement in drafting Public Law 104-4, the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Law, was an effort to relieve this burden. As a former Wyoming state 
legislator, I am well aware of the hardships the federal government 
places on states and localities.
  I look forward to working with the other members of the ACIR in 
implementing the unfunded mandates reform law and sharing with my 
Senate colleagues the effects of federal policy making on state and 
local governments. Together, we can usher in a new era of government 
and restore federalism as the founding fathers intended over 200 years 
ago.

[[Page S15841]]


                   FRANCES W. NOLDE, PIONEER AVIATRIX

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I was recently advised of the passing of 
a distinguished American, Frances W. Nolde, of Reading, PA. In addition 
to an illustrious career as a pioneer in aviation and in the theater, 
she is the mother of a distinguished Washingtonian, H. Christopher 
Nolde, who is the husband of another distinguished Washingtonian, Mrs. 
Sylvia Nolde, who was my Executive Assistant for almost 14 years after 
serving in a similar capacity with Senator Jacob Javits.
  Mr. President, I wish to acknowledge the life of Frances W. Nolde 
with a brief recitation of her career for the Congressional Record.
  Frances W. Nolde was a woman ahead of her time, whose life spanned 
nearly the entire 20th century. She made unique contributions to the 
field of aviation as a pilot, World War II Civil Air Patrol leader, 
visionary, and achiever, all the while raising a family of seven 
children, founding and directing a country day school, and receiving 
acclaim as a civic leader in her home community. Musically talented, 
with a flair for the dramatic, Mrs. Nolde had a budding career on stage 
and in radio.
  Born in Deposit, NY, in 1902, she attended Oberlin Conservatory of 
Music and graduated from Syracuse University with a BA and BS in Music. 
She married Carlton Brown, who later became an accomplished Hollywood 
screen writer. Their marriage ended in divorce.
  Frances lived in the New York City area and played in a hit Broadway 
musical ``Lady Be Good,'' starring Fred Astaire in the 1920s, and 
starred in one of the first radio soap operas, under her stage name 
Gloria Gay.
  Upon marrying a successful businessman, Hans W. Nolde, Frances moved 
to Reading, PA, where she was one of the first to combine career and 
family and became well known for civic and philanthropic activities. 
She was a board member of the Junior League and founded and directed 
The New School, and country day school.
  A pioneer in aviation, Frances Nolde was one of the early women 
pilots, beginning in 1940. During World War II she commanded a Civil 
Air Patrol [CAP] courier base, flying cargo and key personnel for the 
war industries. She held the rank of full colonel, the highest 
allowable to women at that time, and was the first National Director of 
Women in Aviation for the CAP.
  In 1948 she won the inaugural All-Women's Transcontinental Air Race--
Powder Puff Derby--from Los Angeles to Miami.
  The Distinguished Citizen's Award for Leadership in the Advancement 
of Aviation was presented in 1950 to her by the Altrusa International 
Organization.
  Mrs. Nolde served as an Airport Commissioner and arranged with 
General Carl A. Spaatz and the U.S. Air Force to rename the Reading 
municipal Airport as the General Carl A. Spaatz Field.
  She later became associated with the Reading Aviation Service and was 
Public Relations Director of Aviation Consultants, Inc.
  Upon her divorce from Hans, she moved to the Washington, D.C., area 
where she lived for more than 40 years. During that time she was 
employed by the U.S. Department of Commerce as the Director of General 
Aviation in the Defense Air Transportation Administration. She was 
responsible for the Civil Air Reserve Fleet and the National Emergency 
Airlift Plan. Mrs. Nolde was a member of the American Newspaper Women's 
Clubs, the Top Flight Club, and the Ambassador's Club.
  Her accomplishments and contributions include: vice-president 
National Aeronautics Association; delegate to Federation Aeronautique 
Internationale [FAI]; vice-president, FAI Economic Technical 
Commission; Governor 99's (International Organization of Women Pilots) 
and Vice President of its Contest Division; Vice President and 
Treasurer of Aero Club of Washington, DC.; Board of Governors and 
membership Chairman of National Aviation Club; member President's 
``Women's Advisory Committee on Aviation.''
  Mrs. Nolde held a commercial pilots rating, and logged more than 
10,000 hours flying time over her outstanding aviation career. A full 
biography can be found in Who's Who In The World Of Aviation and also 
in Who's Who of American Women.
  A long time resident of Bethesda, MD, Mrs. Nolde was 93 when she 
passed away on October 22. She is survived by her son, H. Christopher 
Nolde, of Washington, D.C.; daughter Sally Lutyens of Manset, ME; 
daughter Frances D. Nolde of Maynard, MA; 9 grandchildren and 8 great-
grandchildren.

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