[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 55 (Thursday, April 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          RECOGNIZING AIR ZOO

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 16, 2015

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the nationally 
renowned Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan, which is hosting the 2015 
Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards on April 18, 2015.
  It is only fitting that the Air Zoo is the setting for this gala 
event to recognize the transformative work of top Southwest Michigan 
students and teachers in the fields of science, technology, 
engineering, arts and mathematics as well as residents who have 
advanced the area of aviation. The Air Zoo was founded in 1977 as the 
Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum by Suzanne and Pete Parish, who 
wanted to share their enthusiasm for World War II airplanes and 
artifacts. Scientific affiliations grew to include the Smithsonian 
Institution and the Michigan Space Science Center, which allows 
visitors to experience some of the challenges astronauts face during 
their training. Full-motion flight simulators, 3-D and 4-D theaters, 
and interactive exhibits--including one about women in aviation and 
space--provided adventure little seen in regular museums.
  Education is tucked inside a fun setting as evidenced by the Air Zoo 
being named as the ``Best Place to Spend a Day with Your Family'' and 
``Best Place to Take out-of-Towners'' for the past three years by the 
more than 130,000 visitors it has touching down at its doors each year.
  Mr. Speaker, many have wondered how the facility got its name. As the 
collection of airplanes grew, so did the number of animal names: 
Wildcat, Hellcat, Bearcat and Flying Tiger. Obviously, these flying 
critters can only be contained in an Air Zoo.
  Recently the Air Zoo was recognized as one of the jewels in the crown 
of the state by receiving a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts 
and Cultural Affairs to keep this state-of-the-art air and space museum 
on its mission of preserving the legacy of flight. I am proud to 
recognize the many accomplishments of the Air Zoo by the people who 
work there and wish them much success in the future.

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