[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 8 (Tuesday, February 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               FLIGHT OF FREEDOM--A JOURNEY TO SAVE JOBS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2005

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw my 
colleagues' attention to the ``Flight of Friendship--A Journey To Save 
Jobs'', which is a heart-warming effort underway in the great state of 
Oregon. The Flight of Friendship is a people-to-people effort by 
individuals in Oregon who are coming together to provide an economic 
lifeline to people in Thailand who work in or are dependent upon the 
tourism industry for their livelihood. Tourism is recognized as one of 
the key industries in the tsunami-affected area that provides 
sustainable jobs and the one that can be jump-started by the return of 
tourists as in this Flight of Friendship.
  The Flight of Friendship's formal mission is an admirable one: In the 
aftermath of the catastrophic tsunami that struck South Asia on 
December 26, the natural reaction for us was to do something, anything, 
that would bring some measure of relief to those in the affected areas. 
We wanted to do something NOW because we have such a feeling of 
urgency.
  Many of us may not have the skills to rebuild communities or repair 
broken bones or care for orphaned children, but we do know that our 
humanity has a purpose. When we can take our time and provide a conduit 
for information and give face-to face support by traveling to those 
areas and help those who need to stay working, we know we are giving 
something that matters. We can help tell the world that these 
restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues are open and ready to 
receive visitors.
  Flight of Friendship will focus on cities and regions that depend on 
the tourist trade for economic survival. We hope that Oregon's lead and 
example will challenge others from around the U.S.--private citizens 
and the travel industry as well, to follow. We encourage people to 
visit these beautiful, intriguing places and extend an economic 
lifeline. Flight of Friendship is a journey to save jobs.
  Under the leadership of Oregonians Sho Dozono, Joe D'Alessandro and 
Elaine Franklin, over 100 business and political leaders from the state 
of Oregon will travel to Thailand this month in a significant effort to 
help re-establish that country's tourism industry and keep vital jobs 
in place. I would like to commend every person associated with the 
Flight of Friendship for his or her dedication to making a real 
difference.

                          ____________________