[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 14, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H11309-H11311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING 100 YEARS OF MILITARY AVIATION

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 445) recognizing 100 years of military 
aviation and expressing continued support for military aviators of the 
United States Armed Forces, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 445

       Whereas Orville and Wilbur Wright secured the patent for 
     their powered airplane in 1906, affording them the 
     opportunity to compete for contracts with the Army;
       Whereas the United States Army Signal Corps made its first 
     purchase of an airplane, the Wright Military Flyer, in 1909 
     at a cost of $30,000;
       Whereas the Wright Military Flyer carried a passenger over 
     a distance of 125 miles;
       Whereas today's military aircraft can travel around the 
     world without landing;
       Whereas the importance of military aviation and air 
     superiority in battle was first demonstrated in World War I;
       Whereas, during World War II, United States Naval aviation 
     was decisive in reversing the Japanese advance and winning 
     the war in the Pacific;
       Whereas United States Army Air Corps played a crucial role 
     in executing strategic bombing campaigns in both the European 
     and Pacific theaters;
       Whereas the National Security Act of 1947 established the 
     United States Army Air Corps as a separate military branch, 
     the United States Air Force;
       Whereas the Vietnam War brought about new, more modern 
     fighter jets and bombers, including the F-105 Thunderchief 
     and the F-4 Phantom;
       Whereas military aviators continue to provide invaluable 
     offensive, defensive, logistical, and intelligence support to 
     the Armed Forces;
       Whereas military aviators have been on the front lines of 
     combat and humanitarian missions in Iraq and Afghanistan;
       Whereas the increase in technology over the last century 
     has made military aircraft an essential component in the 
     safety and security of the United States homeland; and
       Whereas the National Air and Space Museum of the 
     Smithsonian Institution will commemorate the centennial of 
     military aviation with programs and exhibits throughout 2009: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes 100 
     years of military aviation and expresses its continued 
     support for military aviators of the United States Armed 
     Forces.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Shuster) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Washington.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Washington?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  I rise to support House Resolution 445 and thank my colleague from 
Texas (Mr. Olson) for introducing this measure.
  This resolution recognizes 100 years of military aviation and 
expresses continued support for military aviators of the United States 
Armed Forces.
  As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am privileged to

[[Page H11310]]

be joined here today by a number of my colleagues in the House to 
recognize the service, sacrifice, professionalism, and commitment of 
all those who serve and have served our Nation as aviators in the 
United States Armed Forces.
  Our Nation's military aviation began on August 2, 1909 when the 
United States Army accepted its first aircraft built by the Wright 
brothers. Military aviation quickly expanded to the other services. 
Less than 2 years later, in 1911, the Navy ordered its first aircraft. 
Marine Corps aviation had its inception in 1912 when the first Marine 
Corps officer reported for duty at the Naval Aviation Camp in 
Annapolis, Maryland, and qualified as a pilot less than 3 months later. 
Coast Guard aviation began in 1916, when its first officer received 
orders for flight training.
  World War I focused more attention on aviation. Despite a combat 
record of only 9 months, February-November 1918, the Air Service made a 
respectable showing during World War I. The 740 American aircraft 
assigned to squadrons at the front on November 11, 1918, Armistice Day, 
represented little more than 10 percent of the total aircraft strength 
of Allied nations, but the Air Service had conducted 150 separate 
bombing attacks.
  World War II began an enormous expansion of military aviation. The 
U.S. Army Air Forces strength in World War II would swell from 26,500 
men and 2,200 aircraft in 1939 to over 2.2 million men and 63,000 
aircraft by 1945. Similarly, U.S. naval aviation began the war with one 
small and seven large aircraft carriers, about 5,200 aircraft and about 
27,000 men. During that war, this force grew to over 100 carriers of 
various types, over 40,000 aircraft, 160 airships, and 60,000 pilots.
  After World War II, President Truman signed the National Security Act 
of 1947, which created today's Department of the Air Force. Since World 
War II, military aviation forces have played major roles in such 
conflicts as the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as all major 
humanitarian and combat operations. America's first seven astronauts 
were all military aviators, paving the way for future decades of 
American leadership in space.
  Today's military aviators have been engaged in Operation Noble Eagle 
since September 2001, Enduring Freedom since October 2001, and Iraqi 
Freedom since March 2003, and are performing with valor, distinction, 
and steadfast commitment to accomplish this mission.
  As a Representative of the Ninth District of the State of Washington, 
I would also like to take a moment to especially note McChord Air Force 
Base. Their service is part of the Air Mobility Command, primarily 
flying C-17s and serving our country across the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor 100 years of air service in the 
military. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of House 
Resolution 445 to recognize those 100 years of military aviation and 
express continued support for military aviators of the United States 
Armed Forces.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield to my 
colleague from Texas, who served as a naval aviator, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Olson), for as much time as he may consume.
  Mr. OLSON. I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to rise today in support of House 
Resolution 445, a resolution I introduced earlier this year honoring 
100 years of military aviation.
  Before I begin my remarks, I would like to thank Armed Services 
Chairman Skelton, Ranking Member McKeon, as well as Subcommittee Chair 
Abercrombie and Ranking Member Bartlett.
  Mr. Speaker, as a former naval aviator, I have firsthand knowledge of 
the vital and essential role the airmen of the United States military 
play in protecting our homeland and strengthening our global alliances.
  Given the air superiority the United States enjoys today, it is easy 
to forget that 100 years ago there was much skepticism about the 
usefulness of aircraft for our Armed Forces. Shortly after the Signal 
Corps purchased its first aircraft for military purposes, ``Scientific 
American,'' a respected publication wrote, ``Outside of scouting 
duties, we are inclined to think that the field of the aeroplane will 
be rather limited. Because of its small carrying capacity and the 
necessity for its operation at great altitude, if it is to escape 
hostile fire, the amount of damage it will do by dropping explosives 
upon cities, forts, hostile camps, or bodies of troops in the field, to 
say nothing of battleships at sea, will be so limited as to have no 
material effects on the issues of a campaign.''
  One hundred years later, American courage, ingenuity, and innovation 
have proven them very wrong. We have come a very long way since 
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, recommended that 
the Secretary investigate Professor Samuel Langley's so-called ``flying 
machine'' and report on its potentiality for use in combat.
  The earliest planes were open-cockpit, single-seat mounts, and the 
only weapon was a sidearm and perhaps a few bricks that could be 
dropped on the enemy. During World War I, America's first military 
aviators wrote their instruction manual as they lived it and created 
traditions that are still honored and followed today.
  In the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, America's airmen delivered the 
first moral victory of World War II. Flying B-25s from the deck of the 
Aircraft Carrier Hornet 400 miles from the shore of Japan, Colonel 
Jimmy Doolittle and the Knights of the Air struck back and struck back 
hard. And less than 2 months later, U.S. military aviation changed 
world history at the Battle of Midway.
  In 1947, Congress and President Truman wisely recognized the 
important role our country's airmen play on the battlefield and 
established the United States Air Force, a new, separate branch of 
military service.
  From the hills of Korea, where our newest branch rose to the occasion 
and won 10 out of every 11 air engagements, to the jungles of Vietnam, 
where the ingenuity and versatility of our military aviators were 
tested like never before, the stories of the valor and the courage 
displayed by our country's airmen throughout our history are too 
numerous to tell.
  On September 11, 2001, as F-16s were flowing low over Washington, 
D.C. and our country entered a new, unconventional war against an 
unknown enemy, America's brave airmen were on duty ready to defend. 
Whether pinpointing enemy fighters along the ridges of eastern 
Afghanistan from the cockpit of a P-3 Orion, manning a C-17 to deliver 
needed supplies to our troops on the ground, or operating strategic air 
strikes with a Predator drone from thousands of miles away, today in 
Iraq and Afghanistan our military aviators remain on guard.
  General Curtis Lemay once said, If we maintain our faith in God, love 
of freedom, and superior global air power, the future looks good. And, 
today, as we look back on 100 years of military aviation in the United 
States of America, we honor the heroes of military aviation and thank 
them for the shining path they created for our country. Indeed, the 
future looks good.
  I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 445.
  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 445, 
which was introduced by my friend from Texas (Mr. Olson). As I added 
earlier, he served as a naval aviator. We appreciate his service.
  This resolution recognizes 100 years of military aviation and 
expresses continued support for our military aviators in the United 
States Armed Forces.
  As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am proud to 
speak in strong support of this resolution that honors the service, 
sacrifices, professionalism, and commitment of all those who have 
served as aviators.
  For the last 100 years, the fact of the matter is that whether in 
times of peace or war, whether in Iraq or Afghanistan or somewhere else 
in the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week military aviators are 
always engaged, putting their lives at risk to protect our country. So 
I am honored to speak in favor of this resolution, and I urge my 
colleagues to vote in favor of H. Res. 445.

[[Page H11311]]

  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 445, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________