[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 74 (Thursday, May 23, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S5623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA FLYING TEAM

  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I would like to offer my sincere 
congratulations to the men and women of the University of North Dakota 
Flying Team, who recently captured their third consecutive national 
championship at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's 48th 
annual Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference in Daytona Beach, FL.
  The championship places an emphasis on safety, and is comprised of 
nine different events that test a variety of aviation skills, both on 
the ground and in the air. In addition to scoring an overall win, UND 
was first in combined scoring for the five ground events, and second in 
the Judges Trophy, which is awarded on the basis of a team's overall 
depth.
  A national championship is clearly a tremendous accomplishment, and I 
commend each and every member of the team. Although a significant 
achievement, I want my colleagues to know that this is only the most 
recent triumph for what has been without question the most successful 
NIFA team in the country. This year's national championship is the UND 
Flying Team's tenth in the last twelve years, and the fifth for 
retiring team coach John Bridewell.
  This victory was a team effort from start to finish, but several 
individuals deserve special recognition. Mike Smieja placed first in 
Aircraft Recognition, the fourth time he has won that event at the 
national tournament. Larry Freer was another repeat winner, taking 
first place in Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation (SCAN) for 
the second consecutive year. Freer also placed seventh in Simulator 
Flying. Robert Shaw captured second place in Computer Accuracy, and 
Susan Bailey took home second place in the message drop, in her very 
first competition.
  This victory and the women and men who made it possible are a credit 
to the university and UND's Center for Aerospace Sciences, an 
internationally recognized center for aerospace learning. I am proud of 
every member of the team, and offer special congratulations to coach 
Bridewell, who is ending his distinguished tenure with yet another 
championship. Every member of the team and coaching staff deserve 
recognition, and I am pleased to submit a complete list for the Record.
  The list follows:


                          1996 UND Flying Team

       Team Members: Bill Bailey (senior, Rogers, MN), Susan 
     Bailey (sophomore, Sutton, ND), Shannon Bengeyfield 
     (sophomore, Dillon, MT), Chris Farmer (co-captain, senior, 
     Bluefield, WV), Larry Freer (junior, West Palm Beach, FL), 
     Mike Galante (co-captain, senior, Champlin, MN), Brian 
     Jackson (junior, Sioux Falls, SD), Joshua Kendrick (senior, 
     Lino Lakes, MN), Aleah Longshore (sophomore, Settler, 
     Alberta, Canada), Robert Shaw (senior, Naperville, IL), Mike 
     Smieja (senior, Wells, MN), Juliana Stops (sophomore, Buffalo 
     Grove, IL), and Chris VanGinkel (senior, Maurice, IA).
       Coach: John Bridewell.
       Assistant Coaches: Drew Avery, Spencer Henderson, Jim 
     Higgins, Mark Johnson, and Al Skramstad.
  Mr. BOND addressed the Chair.
  The Senator from Missouri is recognized.
  (The remarks of Mr. Bond pertaining to the introduction of S. 1816 
are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. MURKOWSKI addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alaska is recognized.

                          ____________________