[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E863-E864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO HONOR OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF FLOYD BENNETT FIELD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANTHONY D. WEINER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2006

  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 75th 
anniversary of Floyd Bennett Field.

[[Page E864]]

  Floyd Bennett Field proudly served as New York City's first municipal 
airport, opening on May 23, 1931 with modern facilities and strong 
concrete runways. During the ``Golden Age'' of aviation, this airfield 
captured the imagination of the public and was the site of many 
legendary flights with spectators cheering on the accomplishments of 
aviators named Wiley Post, Howard Hughes, and Amelia Earhart.
  In 1942 our country was at war, and Floyd Bennett Field was called 
into duty. Under the U.S. Navy, this airstrip served our country as a 
Naval Air Station which provided vital support to our troops as it 
recruited and trained pilots, tested planes, provided cargo transport, 
and performed sea rescues. Floyd Bennett Field became the first 
helicopter training facility in the world and is the longest 
continuously used law enforcement aviation unit in the world, currently 
housing the New York City Police Department Aviation Unit.
  In 1972, after years of neglect and in the midst of municipal 
financial woes, Floyd Bennett Field as turned over to the National Park 
Service and again set records by becoming the first of the urban 
national parks. Since then, we have seen a resurgence in activity as 
the National Park Service finds new ways to invite in the public while 
preserving the history of the sites and tales of the past. Floyd 
Bennett Field now hosts an array of activities including hiking, cross-
country skiing, camping, field sports, bird-watching, canoeing, and 
archery.
  Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I 
recognize this anniversary milestone and challenge the National Park 
Service to maintain this field in a way that continues to benefit my 
constituents and the city of New York.

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