[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE LAST FLIGHT MISSION OF THE FIRST JET AIRCRAFT DESIGNATED AIR FORCE 
                                  ONE

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 1998

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on March 26 of 
President Clinton's historic voyage to Africa, the first aircraft 
designated as Air Force One flew its last mission. Vice President Gore 
signed it into retirement as of April 1, but not before the first Air 
Force One carried Members of Congress who accompanied President Clinton 
to South Africa.
  Mr. Speaker, I was one of those Members who joined the President on 
this trip. The importance of his travel to Africa and the significance 
of being aboard the aircraft were very relevant to me. It was this Air 
Force One that transported President John F. Kennedy's body from Dallas 
to Washington after his assassination in 1963.
  Mr. Speaker, representing Dallas, I am reminded of that fateful day 
by driving through the streets, parades, and other activities along the 
grassy knoll area. However, being on board the plane that carried 
President Kennedy's body made those remembrances much more special. The 
first Air Force One represented a tragic end for our country, but also 
a new beginning. The plane was the site of President Lyndon Johnson's 
swearing-in as the 36th President prior to that flight.
  In 1962, the Government purchased and deployed the aircraft that 
carried President Richard Nixon on his trips to China and Russia in 
1962. Air Force One continued historic and important flights, serving 
eight Presidents.
  Mr. Speaker, this exclusive aircraft symbolizes service to the 
President as he and other passengers travel throughout the world to 
promote peace and democracy in other countries. The first Air Force One 
began, and now ends successfully in that purpose. One great example of 
that purpose was the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the 1-year 
inauguration of the Ron Brown Commercial Center in South Africa, named 
after the late Commerce Secretary.
  The center was an impressive testimony to his mission of promoting 
democracy and economic opportunities in developing countries. Of 
course, the ceremony was one of many important and memorable visits 
what would not have been possible without Air Force One and its staff. 
On behalf of the United States delegation to Africa that traveled 
aboard the aircraft, I would like to express how honored we were to fly 
on its last voyage.
  Mr. Speaker, the plane will be on display at the U.S. Air Force 
Museum at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base outside of Dayton, OH. As 
many Americans view this plane, I hope that they will do it service by 
not forgetting its missions and its significance to our country. As a 
recent passenger, I know that I will not forget the first Air Force 
One.
  For the Record, Mr. Speaker, I would like to document the United 
States delegation to South Africa who flew aboard the original Air 
Force One during its last flight:

       Representative John Conyers; Rep. Corrine Brown; Rep. 
     Juanita Millender-McDonald; Paul A. Allaire, Chairman/CEO, 
     Xerox Corporation; Alma Arrington Brown, Chair, Ronald H. 
     Brown Foundation; Ronald Burkle, Managing Partner, Yucaipa 
     Companies; Melvin Clark, Jr., President/CEO, Metroplex 
     Corporation; Dr. Ramona H. Edelin, President/CEO, National 
     Urban Coalition, Interim Exec. Director, Congressional Black 
     Caucus Foundation, Inc.; Rep. Amory Houghton; Rep. Shelia 
     Jackson-Lee; Rep. Harold Ford, Jr.; Honorable Dennis Archer, 
     Mayor, City of Detroit; Rev. Dr. Joan Brown-Campbell, General 
     Secretary, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA; 
     Dr. Emma C. Chappell, Founder, Chairman & CEO, United Bank of 
     Philadelphia; Ronald Dellums, Former Member of Congress, 
     Healthcare International Management Company; and Ernest 
     Green, Chairman, African Development Foundation.
       Bishop Frederick Calhoun James, Former Bishop, 2nd 
     Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church; Kase 
     Lawal, Chairman, President/CEO, Camac Holdings, Inc., Kweisi 
     Mfume, President & CEO, NAACP; Ilyasha Shabazz, Director of 
     Public Affairs & Special Events, Office of Honorable Mayor 
     Ernest Davis; John Sweeney, President, AFL-CIO; The Honorable 
     Wellington Webb, Mayor of Denver, Colorado; Robert Johnson, 
     Founder, Chairman & CEO, Black Entertainment Television, 
     Inc.; C. Payne Lucas, President, Africare, Ernest S. Micek, 
     Chairman & CEO, Cargill, Inc.; Lottie Shackelford, Board 
     Member, OPIC; Maurice Templesman, Leon Templesman & Son; and 
     Carol Willis, Director of Community Services, Democratic 
     National Committee.



     

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