[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 62 (Thursday, May 18, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING LARRY L. HARPER

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                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 2006

  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to posthumously recognize 
Larry L Harper of St. Joseph, Missouri. Mr. Harper was an outstanding 
Missourian with a passion for flying and his love of flying has 
remained an inspiration long after his passing. That passion will be 
memorialized by a statue, The Aviator, commissioned by his wife Carolyn 
and placed at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, Missouri.
  Larry's love of flying began at a young age, he would hang around the 
Rosecrans Airport offering to wash and fuel planes in exchange for 
flying lessons. While working as a mechanic, Larry eventually earned 
his pilots license. He logged over 30,000 hours in flight over 40 years 
of flying for four different companies in aircraft ranging from 
Aircoupes to Lear Jets. His last flight came just one week before his 
passing, as he jumped at the opportunity to fly a Lear 55, every flight 
was a special flight for him.
  Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Larry L 
Harper. He was a pilot whose passion for the skies inspired the many 
people whom he met. He has been missed, but his love of flying will 
never be forgotten and the commitment of his beloved wife Carolyn 
ensures that all who come to Rosecrans Airport will know his passion. I 
commend him for his spirit and commitment to aviation and I was honored 
to represent him in the United States Congress.

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