[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN CELEBRATION OF CONNIE KALITTA'S 80TH BIRTHDAY

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 10, 2018

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Connie Kalitta 
on his 80th birthday. He has bettered our nation's transportation 
industry through his lifetime of work.
  Born in Mount Clemens, Michigan in 1938, Mr. Kalitta is a lifelong 
Michigan resident who has long spent his career giving back to the 
state that he loves. He has had a lifelong passion for drag racing, 
beginning in the 1950s and retiring driving in 1995. Throughout his 
driving career he has been awarded numerous accolades, including 
induction to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1992 and the 
International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2002, as well as receiving 
the National Hot Road Association's Lifetime Achievement Award in 
November 2016.
  In addition to his storied racing career, Mr. Kalitta has played a 
large role in our state and country's aviation industry and history. He 
has been nominated to receive the prestigious National Air Carrier 
Association Ronald N. Priddy Partners in Airlift Medal just this year, 
signifying his longstanding influence on our state and the industry. He 
employs over 1,500 Michiganders at his air and motorsports stores in 
Oscoda. His friends know him as ambitious and kindhearted and always 
willing to try something new. We are grateful for his years of 
influence on our state and prestigious racing career and wish him a 
very happy birthday with many more to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Connie 
Kalitta on his 80th birthday. He has played an important part in our 
state's history and has had a prestigious racing career.

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