[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 97 (Wednesday, July 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1285-E1286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL AVIATION HERITAGE AREA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TONY P. HALL

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 17, 2002

  Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join Mr. Hobson and my other 
Ohio Colleagues in introducing the National Aviation Heritage Area Act, 
a bill to protect and enhance sites in and near the State of Ohio 
associated with the history of aviation. The legislation establishes 
the National Aviation Heritage Area, building on earlier measures 
enacted by Congress. The legislation is supported by individuals and 
historical organizations throughout the state. It is appropriate to 
create the National Aviation Heritage Area to recognize the significant 
contributions made in the state toward the advancement of aviation and 
aerospace. The legislation would be a fitting step to mark the 
celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first 
flight in 2003.
  With the passage of the Dayton Aviation Heritage Act of 1992, 
Congress recognized the importance of several historic sites associated 
with the Wright brothers by establishing the Dayton Aviation Heritage 
National Historical Park. The park is expected to be fully operational 
by the year 2003. That is the 100th anniversary of the first manned, 
controlled, and sustained flight by the Wright brothers, ushering in 
the aviation era. Though the two interpretive centers for the park are 
still under construction, the park has already transformed the way our 
Nation looks at the early history of flight by recognizing the key role 
that Dayton played. The park has also enhanced local pride in our two 
most famous sons and their achievements.

[[Page E1286]]

  However, the link between Ohio and aviation history goes far beyond 
the Wright brothers. In what could be viewed as an early example of 
technology spin-off, familiarity with the secrets of aviation enabled 
Ohioans to make further developments in aeronautics and later 
aerospace. The attention devoted to the development of the national 
park has sparked a broad interest in the state beyond the Dayton area 
about the larger role Ohio has played that followed from the Wright 
brothers' invention.
  There is probably no state in the union that is more closely 
associated with the history of aviation and the men and women who 
pioneered the development of flight than Ohio. It was in Dayton where 
the Wright brothers built the first airplane. At Huffman Prairie Flying 
Field the Wright brothers tested and developed the world's first 
practical flying machine and established the first permanent flying 
school. Cleveland's NASA Glenn Research Center has been responsible for 
advances in air and space technology. At McCook Field, and later 
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, much of our Nation's military aviation 
technology was developed. The first American in orbit, as well as the 
first man to walk on the moon, were both raised in Ohio. The Columbus 
home of World War I aviator Captain Edward Rickenbacker is a National 
Historic Landmark. Cleveland's Rocket Engine Test Facility, also a 
National Historic Landmark, pioneered the technology to use hydrogen as 
a rocket fuel. In Sandusky, the Centaur Rocket was developed in yet 
another National Historic Landmark and Akron has the Goodyear Airdock, 
the world's largest airship hangar.
  Ohio boasts the world's first mass produced airplane, the first 
commercial airplane flight, and the development of the modern free fall 
parachute, nighttime flying, high altitude flying, radio beacon 
navigation, guided missiles, reversible pitch airplane propellers, 
crop-dusting airplanes, the pressurized airplane cabin, and blind 
flying. The list goes on and on.
  The same law which created the Dayton Aviation Heritage National 
Historical Park also established the Dayton Aviation Heritage 
Commission, which was charged with assisting the preservation of the 
many sites in Ohio's Miami Valley related to the history of aviation. 
The commission, which is currently chaired by United States District 
Judge Walter H. Rice, has recommended establishing the National 
Aviation Heritage Area to continue the preservation and enhancement of 
historic sites not only in the Dayton area but throughout the state. 
This is the natural step, given the interest and historical resources 
in Ohio.
  A heritage area is a cohesive group of natural, historic, cultural, 
or recreational resources in a distinct geographical area that can 
benefit from forming a collaboration to protect, enhance, and promote 
those resources. Congress has designated 23 National Heritage Areas 
which have special national significance and which offer outstanding 
opportunities for conservation and interpretation. The National 
Aviation Heritage Area established under this bill fully meets these 
criteria.
  As part of the process of developing the National Aviation Heritage 
Area concept, public meetings were held in Columbus, Cleveland, and 
Dayton giving a chance for individuals to comment on the proposal. 
Public comment was also provided through a Website and an extensive e-
mail campaign. A list was compiled of almost 100 specific sites in Ohio 
with potential public access that are linked with significant 
developments in aviation history. Examples include the Neil Armstrong 
Air and Space Museum, United States Air Force Museum, Cincinnati Museum 
Center, Ohio Flight Museum, John and Annie Glenn Museum and Exploration 
Center, National Inventors Hall of Fame, and the NASA Glenn Research 
Center Visitors Center.
  The bill establishes the National Aviation Heritage Area including a 
core area of Montgomery, Greene, Warren, Miami, Clark, and Champlain 
Counties in Southwest Ohio. Additional sites can be added upon the 
recommendation of a management plan. The bill provides a management 
framework to improve collaboration among the sites and organizations 
within the heritage area to promote educational programs, historic 
preservation, and heritage tourism. The bill authorizes $10 million 
over the next 15 years, provided an equal amount of non-Federal funds 
are raised.
  The idea behind the heritage area is that the sites and 
organizations, working together, can accomplish more than working 
separately. Because they are linked together by theme and geographical 
proximity, they can readily collaborate on preservation activities, 
promotion, and programming. The bill calls for a management plan and 
provides on-going assistance to maintain the collaboration. The real 
work of the heritage area is conducted by the individual sites and 
organizations. The minimal role of the Federal government is to help 
coordinate and assist the management of the groups.
  The bill also includes a provision to study the Wright Company 
factory buildings in West Dayton.
  The National Aviation Heritage Area concept is supported by the Ohio 
Economic Development Council, Downtown Dayton Partnership, Dayton Mayor 
Rhine McLean, the United States Air and Trade Show, Inc., Inventing 
Flight, and the Dayton Aviation Heritage Commission. The bill is 
sponsored or cosponsored by a total of 14 Ohio House members, more than 
half of the state's House delegation. Similar legislation is being 
introduced by Ohio's two Senators, Mike DeWine and George Voinovich.
  I commend my colleague, Mr. Hobson, for his leadership on this issue. 
We have enjoyed a long partnership working together to protect and 
promote Ohio's historic aviation heritage going back to the legislation 
establishing the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. 
This measure builds on and continues those earlier successes.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States leads the world in aviation and 
aerospace technology. The State of Ohio has been a dominant force in 
bringing our Nation to this position. It is therefore fitting that the 
National Aviation Heritage Area be established in Ohio to protect the 
state's historic aviation resources and share the stories of our rich 
aviation heritage with the world.

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