[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 146 (Monday, October 29, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1936]]
                 HONORING HAROLD ``HAL'' WEYGANDT, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 29, 2001

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to honor my good friend, Mr. 
Harold W. ``Hal'' Weygandt, Jr., who at the age of 81 years is retiring 
from Weco Aerospace Systems, the company he founded 30 years ago.
  Hal was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1920. Raised in this 
traditional mid-western environment, he learned the entrepreneurial 
spirit at an early age. Hal attended Joplin High School in Missouri 
where he excelled in football and boxing. After high school, he left 
Joplin and enrolled in the University of Missouri, Kansas City. 
Throughout his high school and college years, Hal worked at several 
jobs to help support his family and pursue his education goals through 
the depression years.
  After college, Hal moved to Southern California, where he joined 
Lockheed Aircraft in 1941. Just prior to America entering World War II, 
he volunteered with 2,500 other civilians in a Douglas Aircraft 
sponsored project for a top-secret mission in Africa. At the time, 
England was near the threshold of disaster when Winston Churchill 
requested help from President Roosevelt. This assignment, named 
``Project 19,'' was created to assist England in its war efforts 
against Germany. The voyage on the USS Chauteau Thierry from the West 
Coast to Africa was a precursor of challenging times to come. The ship, 
which was originally constructed for a passenger list of 200, carried 
over 2,000 men to their remote destination. Project 19 established an 
entire town, American City, in east Africa that helped supply and 
repair fighter aircraft for the war effort.
  In 1943, well after America joined the Allies in the war, Hal 
volunteered for the Army Air Corps in Cairo, Egypt. He spent the next 
several years touring the European theater in a classified position in 
armament inspection. By the end of the war, Hal had been awarded 
several citations, as well as the Bronze Medal, and he ascended to the 
rank of Second Lieutenant. His most significant reward, however, was an 
English girl named Ann Sawtell. They were married in New Milton, 
England, in October 1945.
  After World War II, Hal returned to Southern California and embarked 
on his first business endeavor. In 1947, Hal and his uncle started RWS 
Electrical Accessories, Inc. This company supported the then-emerging 
aircraft industry with component sales and service. By early 1961, Hal 
and his family had moved to the foothill region of the Sacramento 
Valley, where they still reside. The Weygandts maintained a ranch, 
while Hal developed his career in aviation. Hal's company became a 
benchmark for independent successes in the aviation field. He 
participated and became close friends with many of the pioneers of 
today's modern aviation industry. By 1968, RWS merged with another 
aviation company that subsequently formed Aviall, a multinational 
industry leader in commercial aviation sales and support.
  Mr. Speaker, at a phase of life when some people begin looking 
forward to retirement, Hal formed Weco Aerospace Systems, Inc., in 1971 
with his sons, Bill and Robert. This new company based in the 
Sacramento and Burbank areas focused its attention on supporting 
corporate aviation. This company has grown with the industry and now 
employes over 60 people in California and throughout the nation. It 
supports aviation operators internationally.
  Hal is the proud father of three children and eight grandchildren. It 
is worthwhile to note that he has raised a family of good and 
productive citizens. The Weygandts have been very active in civic 
affairs and have contributed much to their community. Hal's own 
activities have included involvement with the Masonic Lodge and 
Shriners, his church, the National Business Aircraft Association, the 
Helicopter Association International, and the Airborne Law Enforcement 
Association. He has also stayed active with yearly meetings of the 
Project 19 Association, in which less than 150 of 2,500 participants 
are still alive.
  While Hal is now retiring from active business life at the age of 81, 
he will continue as an advisor and Board member at Weco. And just to 
prove it is tough to keep a good man down, he and his wife, Cherie, 
plan to maintain their 80-acre ranch in the foothills of Lincoln, 
California, as well as traveling and enjoying many outdoor activities.
  Mr. Speaker, I take great pleasure in commending Hal Weygandt for his 
outstanding service to our country as a member of the Armed Forces, an 
innovative business leader, and a good family man. After all that has 
been said about him, he is simply a good and decent man, and I am 
personally thankful for his support and friendship.

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