[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1082-E1083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           LEARN TO FLY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 10, 1998

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, the General Aviation Industry is one of the 
most important industries in our Nation. Since the Wright Brothers' 
first flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, aviation has played a 
crucial rule in the livelihood of our Nation.

[[Page E1083]]

  In the United States, business aviation and U.S. air carriers are 
experiencing record growth and are expected to carry over 1 billion 
passengers a year early in the next decade.
  Aviation is an essential ingredient in the economic success of our 
Nation. The role of aviation can be seen each and every day at over 
13,000 airports and landing facilities here in the United States. It is 
here that the men and women of the aviation industry strive to make the 
United States the world's leader in aviation.
  The month of June has been designated as ``Learn To Fly Month''. I 
hope that more people will take an interest in aviation. In order to 
maintain our position as the world's leader in aviation, the United 
States must recognize the importance of highly qualified and well-
trained pilots.
  These pilots are a key ingredient in the success of the United States 
Aviation Industry and help to maintain the best aviation infrastructure 
in the world.
  I place the following proclamation by Transportation Secretary Rodney 
Slater proclaiming June as Learn To Fly Month, in the Record and call 
it to the attention of my colleagues.

                                                  The Secretary of


                                               Transportation,

                                     Washington, DC, June 9, 1998.
       Whereas aviation is a vital link of our nation's 
     transportation system and economy;
       Whereas the growth, safety, and efficiency of aviation 
     requires highly qualified pilots;
       Whereas in 1996, fewer people undertook flight training 
     than anytime since the Korean War, and the overall U.S. pilot 
     population declined to the lowest number in over 20 years;
       Whereas the United States Military is training fewer pilots 
     than anytime in recent history;
       Whereas the United States airlines and business aviation 
     are experiencing record growth and are expected to carryover 
     1 billion passengers a year early in the next decade;
       Whereas the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994 has 
     stimulated the rebirth of light general aviation aircraft 
     manufacturing in the United States;
       Whereas general aviation is playing an increasingly 
     important role in the nation's air transportation system 
     serving over 13,000 airports and landing facilities;
       Whereas the experience of flight offers the opportunity for 
     personal challenge and self fulfillment in professional and 
     personal endeavors;
       Whereas GA Team 2000 has been formed by over 120 companies 
     and associations representing all facets of the civil 
     aviation industry with the specific purpose of stimulating 
     more student pilots;
       Whereas over 1600 flight training institutions and schools 
     are participating in this national effort;
       Therefore in special recognition of rebuilding America's 
     pilot population, I Rodney Slater, Secretary of 
     Transportation, do hereby proclaim June 1998 as Learn to Fly 
     Month with the recognition that highly qualified and well 
     trained pilots are an essential ingredient of our nation's 
     aviation infrastructure.
                                                 Rodney E. Slater.

     

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