[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 113 (Thursday, September 21, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    GAIL M. EDWARDS: A TRUE AMERICAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2000

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Gail M. Edwards on 
the occasion of his retirement, after nearly thirty-five years as a 
pilot with Trans World Airlines (TWA).
  Gail is an ideal American and a man whose life and career have made 
us proud. He was born on July 16, 1935 and grew up in Indiana with his 
mother, Dorris Wannetta Edwards, his father, Harold Perry Edwards, and 
his brother, Victor Royce Edwards. He was the first of his family to 
graduate from college, and he received his degree from Indiana 
University in 1957.
  He joined the United States Air Force immediately after college, 
fulfilling his lifelong goal of flying. As a child, he had spent many 
hours building model airplanes and hanging them around his room. He 
volunteered to fly volunteer airlift missions to Vietnam during the 
Vietnam War and then served in the Air National Guard for many years 
after the war, retiring as a Full Bird Colonel, Vice Wing Commander, 
Tactical Airlift Wing. He received two Air Force Commendation Medals.
  Years later, when the nation was in the Gulf War conflict, he 
volunteered again. He ran into the Commanding General of the California 
Air National Guard and said, ``Call me if you need a grizzly, gray-
haired old man to fly a 130.'' They both smiled and Gail knew he wasn't 
going to get a call, but they also both knew if he did get a call, he 
would say, ``You bet!''
  Gail loved the Air Force for opening up vast vistas for him. He 
believed the Air Force was a ``God-send.'' He loved every minute of it. 
While on duty in England and Japan, Gail met and married Kathleen 
Riley, an English/Speech/Drama teacher on American Airforce bases, in 
1962.
  Leaving the Air Force in January, 1966, he went to work for TWA and 
has been a pilot for TWA for nearly thirty-five years. He has said that 
after the Air Force taught him to fly and allowed him to experience the 
world, TWA gave him the opportunity to share it with his family and all 
the other passengers.
  Gail lives with his wife of 38 years in Redondo Beach, California. 
His children are Kimberly Ellen Edwards (32) of San Diego and Jonathan 
Kyle Edwards (28) of Scottsdale.
  He enjoyed working for TWA, and even more, he loved serving his 
country. He is extremely patriotic, just the kind of citizen we all 
want to be. He has volunteered with the United Methodist church, Little 
League, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Indian Guides, and Indian Maidens. He 
built play houses for his children and helped them with their homework. 
But first and foremost, Gail is an American and a pilot. He loves his 
family, he loves his job, and he loves his country.
  I am honored to have this opportunity to recognize Gail Edwards and 
to thank him for his service to TWA and to his nation.

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