[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SALUTING THE GRAND OPENING OF THE TRI-STATE WARBIRD MUSEUM IN CLERMONT 
                              COUNTY, OHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2005

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the grand opening on 
May 20, 2005 of the extraordinary new Tri-State Warbird Museum in 
Clermont County, Ohio.
  The museum, based at the Clermont County Airport, will showcase the 
history of fighter planes in World War II and Vietnam. Housed in a new 
20,000 square foot state of the art facility, the museum features an 
exhibit area for historic artifacts; a library of reference books; a 
classroom; a professional restoration shop for the preservation and 
restoration of original historic aircraft; and a storage area for 
specialized tools and parts.
  Historic aircraft are invaluable to understanding our nation's 
history, and examples of these planes are few in number and in danger 
of being lost forever. With the museum's painstaking preservation 
efforts, they will come to life for everyone to learn from and enjoy. 
Thanks to this museum, the importance of these airplanes to our 
enduring freedom and the sacrifice of those involved--from engineers to 
mechanics to the pilots--will never be lost.
  The Tri-State Warbird Museum's unique building has resulted from the 
hard work and expertise of man volunteers and supporters. In 2003, a 
group of volunteers, led by business leader David O' Maley, formed to 
preserve the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for our 
freedom. Museum President Paul Redlich, a pilot and professional 
technician with more than twenty years of historic aviation expertise, 
closed his business and moved his family to Cincinnati to run the 
museum. The facility also boasts two professional technicians committed 
to Warbird painstaking restoration and maintenance: Greg Muir and 
Nathan Dalrymple.
  The museum also boasts an advisory board composed of a broad group of 
area citizens who have unique talents and experience in aviation and 
history. Members of the advisory board include: Neil Armstrong; Howard 
Becker; Jim Bushman; Jack Brown; Joe Campanella; Mark Clark; Richard 
Cross; Tad Lawrence; Dr. Francis LeRoy; Phil Myers; Buck Niehoff; David 
O'Maley; Jim Orr; Scott Robertson; Hal Shevers; Dudley Taft; and Oliver 
Waddell. Of particular note is the extraordinary commitment of the 
advisory board members and the museum's capital campaign committee, 
which resulted in the museum's entire cost being funded by private 
donations.
  Mr. Speaker, all of us in Southern Ohio congratulate the many 
professionals and volunteers who have helped to make this wonderful new 
museum a reality.

                          ____________________