[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 100 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE AVIATION HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 7, 2011

  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, the Aviation Hall of Fame was established in 
Dayton, Ohio, on October 5, 1961, with five Daytonians as its founding 
fathers.
  The founders of the Hall of Fame were tasked with preserving the 
history of aviation heroes, fostering a better appreciation of the 
origins and growth of aviation and cataloging the role aviation has 
played in changing the economic, social and scientific trajectory of 
our nation.
  Through the tireless efforts of its founders in establishing the Hall 
of Fame, aviation pioneers and achievers have been suitably honored for 
the last half-century.
  Located within the NMUSAF with over 200 inductees, the Hall will 
induct 4 new honorees this month.
  From pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright of Ohio, to astronauts, such 
as Neil Armstrong, pilots, such as Charles Lindberg and Amelia Earhart, 
inventors, such as Alexander Graham Bell, and entrepreneurs, such as 
William Boeing, among countless others whose contributions to aviation 
have made the U.S. aerospace industry the most advanced in the world.
  Since 1981 the Hall of Fame has annually bestowed its prestigious 
``Spirit of Flight'' Award upon a group or organization in recognition 
of its achievement in advancing aviation. The 2011 Milton Caniff 
``Spirit of Flight'' Award recipient will be the U.S. Navy Blue Angels 
Flight Demonstration Team, in recognition of the group's 65-year 
history of serving as positive role models and goodwill ambassadors for 
the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. More than 460 million fans have 
witnessed the teams' spectacularly choreographed aerial performances 
since the group was formed in 1946.
  The Hall of Fame Learning Center exhibit hall features interactive 
exhibits and displays serving nearly one million learners of all ages a 
year. Visitors can experience landing an aircraft on a Navy carrier, 
controlling the movement of a helicopter, docking in space with the 
Hubble Space Telescope, and taking the controls of an historic aircraft 
on one of four flight simulators.
  On behalf of all the Americans who have been inspired by the history 
of flight and the accomplishments of our aviation pioneers, I 
congratulate the Aviation Hall of Fame, its board of trustees, and 
dedicated staff on their many accomplishments.
  This month marks the Hall of Fame's fiftieth enshrinement ceremony, 
celebrating an historic milestone in the integral role it has served in 
honoring pioneers of aviation.
  I join Ohioans and fans of aviation everywhere to recognize those 
founders and the National Aviation Hall of Fame: James W. Jacobs, 
Gregory C. Karas, John A. Lombard, Larry E. O'Neil, and Gerald E. 
Weller.
  Their vision, leadership, and dedication have helped to preserve the 
rich history of aviation for all Americans over the past fifty years.

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