[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 96 (Thursday, July 1, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO HUGH ROBINSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 1, 1999

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an aviation pioneer 
and the community in Newton County, Missouri where he grew up. From 
Neosho, Missouri, Hugh Robinson entered the annals of aviation history, 
especially as it relates to the military. He is credited with making 
the third successful aircraft flight in 1907.
  From there he created a series of first flights that may be unequaled 
in history. He was the first pilot to execute a right turn. Prior to 
this, it was believed that a plane would be torn apart by the force of 
such a maneuver. In 1911 he made the first authorized air mail flight; 
the first medical flight by carrying a doctor to a sick patient by 
airplane; the first to fly a hydroplane and the first pilot of a 
monoplane. He also helped design and build the first commercial 
airplane. Robinson trained the first military test pilots for the 
United States, as well.
  Perhaps he is best known as the inventor of a simple device that 
still makes even the modern wing of the U.S. Navy possible--the 
tailhook.
  Hugh Robinson wasn't satisfied though. He created his own career in 
the circus. He developed the ``Globe of Death'' where he rode, first a 
bicycle, and later a motorcycle at 60 miles per hour inside a giant 
globe. His death-defying act, developed in Neosho, made him the highest 
paid circus act in America.
  This 4th of July weekend was chosen as the appropriate time to pay 
tribute to Robinson and his contributions to aviation and his service 
to country. The Neosho Municipal Airport will be named in honor of 
Robinson in ceremonies this weekend.
  The Neosho Hugh Robinson Airport as it will be known has just 
finished several important improvements. The approaches to the runway 
had obstacles that left several hundred feet of the 5,000 foot surface 
unusable. Those obstacles have been removed, with crucial aid from 
federal sources, and now the airport can accommodate larger aircraft 
for a local firm that overhauls jet engines.
  The road leading to the airport was relocated as part of the 
improvements. It will be named for Neosho Police Officer Terry Johnson 
who was killed earlier this year in a flying accident at the airport.
  The celebration in Neosho will be marked by hot air balloons, a Civil 
War living history display, an air show, ground displays of the 
Confederate Air Force and military aircraft, and, naturally, fireworks. 
Music, crafts and lots of friendly Ozarks people should make this a 
wonderful weekend to visit Neosho and to honor the work of Hugh 
Robinson. (1882-1963)

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