[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1292-E1293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE 41ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEDICATION OF THE U.S. AIR 
                             FORCE ACADEMY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICIA SCHROEDER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 16, 1996

  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 41st 
Anniversary of the United States Air Force Academy--one of the pillars 
of military education, producing some of the Nation's finest officers 
to ever serve and protect the American people.
  On April 1, 1954, President Eisenhower signed Public Law 325, the Air 
Academy Act. On June 24, Secretary of the Air Force Harold Talbott 
announced that Colorado Springs would be the permanent site of the U.S. 
Air Force Academy and Denver would serve as the temporary site. The 
U.S. Air Force Academy began in my district at Lowry Air Force Base, 
July 27, 1954, and proceeded to build in strength in order to receive 
its first class of cadets of July 11, 1955. This date marks the 
official dedication and opening of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
  When Dedication Day arrived, 307 young men who would make up the 
Class of 1959 marched onto the field in precise formation amidst the 
tears of the gathered 4,159 military and civilian dignitaries, public 
officials, the foreign attache corps, cadets from West Point and 
Annapolis, press, and parents. These cadets marched with pride to music 
played at the U.S. Air Force band, while proceeding underneath a 
glorious formation of B-36 bombers flying overhead.
  After the ceremonies concluded, the Denver Chamber of Commerce hosted 
the guests at a down-home chuck wagon buffalo barbecue at the Red Rocks 
Park Amphitheater--a classic finish to a historic event.
  As Coloradans, we are exuberant and proud that our State was selected 
as the location of the temporary and permanent sites of the U.S.

[[Page E1293]]

Air Force Academy. The United States is dually proud of the excellent 
leaders who have graduated from the Academy--both in the Air Force and 
civilian life.
  On the anniversary of the historic opening of the Air Force Academy, 
we would also like to pay special tribute to those officers whose 
intelligence and forethought in the Academy's conception allowed for 
the enormous success that has been achieved by the institution during 
the past 40 years. These officers include Lt. Gen. Hubert R. Harmon, 
the first Superintendent and Father of the U.S. Air Force Academy; Col. 
(later Brig. Gen.) Robert F. McDermott, Dean; Col. William B. Taylor 
III, Assistant Chief of Staff (Special Projects); and Col. Robert V. 
Whitlow, Directors of Athletics. Without these special men and others 
like them, the Academy would not be the foundation of excellence it is 
today.

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