[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 186 (Friday, December 11, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ENSTROM HELICOPTER CORPORATION

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                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 11, 2009

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Enstrom Helicopter 
Corporation of Menominee, Michigan as it celebrates its 50th 
anniversary in the community. This company designs and produces 
helicopters that can be found performing a wide range of duties across 
the globe, while staying true to its hometown roots.
  Enstrom Helicopter began with a mining engineer from the Upper 
Peninsula named Rudy Enstrom. In the 1940's Rudy began building a 
helicopter and this hobby became a passion. After years of developing 
and building his own helicopter, Rudy caught the attention of 
businessmen in the Menominee area and founded R. J. Enstrom Corporation 
in 1959. The project to replace Rudy's original prototypes with a 
better engineered product was led by Jack Christensen, Al Belauer and 
Paul Schultz.
  In 1965, Enstrom Helicopter achieved FAA certification on its F-28 
model and received certification in 1968 for its more powerful model, 
the F-28A. Today the company produces three models, the F-28F, the 
280FX and the 480B. Enstrom's 280FX and F-28F piston-powered 
helicopters are the only turbo-charged helicopters produced in the 
world today.
  Over the years Enstrom Helicopter has had capable leaders at the 
helm, including F. Lee Bailey, Bob Tuttle and today's president, Jerry 
Mullins. These men have guided the continued growth of the company, 
thanks in large part to their ability to retain a dedicated and 
experienced workforce.
  Having produced approximately 1,200 aircraft, Enstrom helicopters can 
be found in 45 countries around the world. In fact, 70 percent of 
Enstrom helicopters are purchased overseas. Recently the company 
delivered 480B models destined for Ukraine, India, Thailand, and 
Bulgaria. These helicopters are used for a variety of purposes, 
including agricultural spraying, search and rescue, cattle herding, law 
enforcement, and personal transport.
  Despite its international popularity, Enstrom Helicopter has remained 
committed to the Menominee community throughout its history. In turn, 
the residents of Menominee and surrounding areas have thrown their 
support behind Enstrom. During its first 10 years as a public company, 
as many as 10,000 individual shareholders living primarily in the Upper 
Peninsula and northern Wisconsin invested in the company. This early 
support from the community was largely responsible for the ultimate 
success of the company.
  Madam Speaker, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation is both a community 
company and a world leader in helicopter production. Over the years, it 
has continued to innovate, grow and provide good jobs for the residents 
of Menominee. I ask, Madam Speaker, that you, and the entire U.S. House 
of Representatives, join me in recognizing Enstrom Helicopter 
Corporation, its management, and employees past and present on this 
golden anniversary of 50 years.

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