[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 41 (Friday, March 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            DISTINGUISED FLYING CROSS NATIONAL MEMORIAL ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 19, 2010

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, today, H.R. 2788 passed the House with the 
unanimous support of my colleagues. The bill designates a memorial that 
is currently under construction at March Field Air Museum, in 
Riverside, California, as the Distinguished Flying Cross National 
Memorial.
  I am proud that the Distinguished Flying Cross recipients, who have 
received this prestigious medal for their heroism or extraordinary 
achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving in any 
capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces, are closer to having a memorial 
designated as a National Memorial with the passage of this bill.
  March Air Reserve Base is adjacent to the location of the memorial at 
the March Field Air Museum. Today at the base there are active 
operational air units providing support to our troops in Iraq and 
Afghanistan, which is why this is an appropriate setting for the 
memorial to the many aviators who have distinguished themselves by 
deeds performed in aerial flight.
  I am including in today's Record, my floor statement from Tuesday, 
March 16, 2010, regarding H.R. 2788.

 Floor Statement on H.R. 2788, the Distinguished Flying Cross Memorial 
                                  Act

                            Rep. Ken Calvert

       Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2788, a bill to 
     designate a national Distinguished flying Cross Memorial in 
     Riverside, California.
       I am honored to represent the Inland Empire Chapter of the 
     Distinguished Flying Cross Society which is the primary 
     sponsor of the memorial. Last June, I introduced H.R. 2788 
     which would designate a memorial, which is currently under 
     construction at March Field Air Museum as the Distinguished 
     Flying Cross National Memorial. It honors all current and 
     former members of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the 
     Distinguished Flying Cross.
       The bill has strong bipartisan support both from the 
     committee and with 48 cosponsors. The legislation is 
     supported by the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, Military 
     Officers Association of America, the Air Force Association, 
     Air Force Sergeants Association, The Association of Naval 
     Aviation, The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, and the 
     China-Burma Indian Veterans Association. I'd like to point 
     out language in the bill that specifically states that the 
     designation shall not be construed to require or permit 
     federal funds to be expended for any purpose related to the 
     national memorial. Funds have been and will continue to be 
     raised through private means for these purposes.
       Distinguished Flying Cross recipients have received the 
     prestigious medal for their heroism or extraordinary 
     achievement while participating in aerial flight while 
     serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces. There are 
     many well-known people that have played a vital role in the 
     history of military aviation and have received the award. 
     This renowned group includes: Captain Charles L. Lindbergh, 
     former President George H. W. Bush, Brigadier General Jimmy 
     Doolittle, General Curtis Lemay, Senator McCain, Jimmy 
     Stewart and Admiral Jim Stockdale, to name just a few.
       The March Air Reserve Base, which hosts the C-17As of the 
     452nd Air Mobility Wing is adjacent to the location of the 
     memorial at the March Field Air Museum. When completed, 
     visitors will be able to witness active operational air units 
     providing support to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, 
     which is an appropriate setting that honors the many aviators 
     who have distinguished themselves by deeds performed in 
     aerial flight.
       I'd like to thank those who have worked tirelessly to 
     ensure this memorial is built and is properly designated in 
     honor of the distinguished aviators that have served this 
     great Nation. In particular, I'd like to recognize, Jim 
     Champlin, with the loving support of his wife Trish, who 
     recently passed away, who have been instrumental in this 
     effort.
       Again, I hope you will join me in supporting the 
     designation of the National Distinguished Flying Cross 
     Memorial at the March Field Air Museum and H.R. 2788.

                          ____________________