[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CENTENNIAL OF FLIGHT COMMEMORATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. WALTER B. JONES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to announce the 
introduction of the Centennial of Flight Commemoration Act. This 
bipartisan legislation establishes the Centennial of Flight Commission, 
a national organization to direct the celebration of the 100th 
anniversary of manned flight.
  The year was 1903, and at 10:35 a.m., on the cold, windy morning of 
December 17, the era of modern aviation was born. At that exact moment, 
Orville Wright lifted off the dunes in Kitty Hawk, NC, and became the 
first man to successfully complete a free, controlled, and sustained 
flight in a power-driven, heavier-than-air machine. Those 12 seconds 
changed the course of world history forever.
  On December 17, 2003, the world and this great Nation will come 
together to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' 
first flight. I have introduced this important legislation, along with 
my colleague Tony Hall of Ohio, to establish a national commission to 
plan and develop programs and activities related to this anniversary, 
in addition to other duties.
  The Commission will be made up of 21 members. Twelve of these members 
will be U.S. citizens, who are not Government employees and will be 
appointed by the President. Of these, two will be chosen from among 
persons recommended by the majority leader of the Senate, two will be 
chosen from among persons recommended by Speaker of the House of 
Representatives in consultation with the Representatives whose 
districts encompass either the Wright Brothers National Memorial or the 
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, and eight will be 
chosen based on qualifications or experience in the field of history, 
aerospace science, or industry. In addition, the Secretary of the 
Interior, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, 
the Director of the National Air and Space Museum, and the 
Administrator of NASA will be members of the commission. Finally, the 
following local officials will be included: the chairman of the First 
Flight Centennial Commission of North Carolina, the president of the 
First Flight Centennial Foundation of North Carolina, the Governor of 
Ohio, and the chairman of the 2003 Committee of Ohio. These members 
will receive no compensation. An executive director and appropriate 
staff will be hired.
  The commission will be charged with many responsibilities and duties. 
It will represent the United States and promote U.S. participation in 
international activities related to aviation history and the Centennial 
of Flight. It will encourage participation in national and 
international commemoration activities by U.S. aviation-related 
organizations and individuals with aviation interests. It will maintain 
and publish a calendar of events, provide national coordination for 
celebration dates, as well as provide a central clearinghouse for 
information on national and international activities. The commission 
will assist educational, civic, and commemorative activities that 
highlight achievements of Wilbur and Orville Wright in North Carolina 
and Ohio.

  Finally, the commission will raise funds in coordination with fund 
raising efforts at the state level. It may devise and license a logo, 
with excess royalties distributed equally between the state 
organizations. The commission will expire in 2004.
  Most would agree, there are few technological accomplishments that 
are more important than what was achieved for the first time by those 
two brothers, on that cold December morning in Kitty Hawk. The Wright 
Brothers' actions have touched every American in some way and have 
changed forever our international economy, the way we fight our wars 
and the way we live our lives. Perhaps most importantly, the invention 
of the airplane is a truly American accomplishment. It symbolizes a 
triumph of American ingenuity, determination, and hard work. Certainly 
this great tradition deserves the full support of our people and our 
Government.
  The Centennial of Flight Commemoration Act will serve to honor this 
great American institution as it should be. I urge all of my colleagues 
to support this bipartisan measure.

                          ____________________