[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 69 (Friday, April 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E560-E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             DARREN ELLISOR

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 27, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Darren Ellisor's childhood dream was 
to become a pilot. Growing up in Clear Lake, Texas as the son of a NASA 
contractor, he attended the Wings over Houston air show each year, went 
on tours of NASA, and watched in fascination as the space shuttles flew 
into the sky, disappearing into the final frontier.
  After visiting the United States Air Force Academy as a young 
teenager, Ellisor's dream suddenly seemed within grasp. He became 
determined to enroll at the Academy and become an Air Force pilot.
  However, as his high school graduation neared, Ellisor failed to 
receive his long-sought appointment to the Air Force Academy. 
Disappointed, he knew he could not allow this setback deter him from 
pursuing his dream. Instead, he refocused his efforts, attending Valley 
Forge Military Academy and College in

[[Page E561]]

Pennsylvania for a year. After applying to his dream school a second 
time, he finally received his acceptance to the prestigious Air Force 
Service Academy.
  After graduating from the Academy and undergoing extensive pilot 
training, Ellisor served as an E-3 AWACS pilot until retiring from the 
Air Force in 2007. His service brought him to the skies of Germany, 
where he led multi-national crews comprised of airmen from 13 NATO 
countries in peace keeping missions over the skies of Kosovo. He went 
on to protect and defend American airspace after 9/11 and took part in 
multiple operations in the Middle East during the War on Terror.
  Ellisor has long been someone who has helped others. During his time 
in the Air Force, he served as the Assistant Director of Operations of 
the 552nd Training Squadron, training over 300 young air crewmen during 
his tenure. After his retirement from the Air Force, he formed a small 
business, Service Academy Consulting, in order to help high school 
students with dreams like his attend one of the elite service 
academies.
  Ellisor selfless side showed itself again last week when he and 
Tammie Jo Shults saved 148 lives as their commercial airplane suddenly 
seemed to fall from the sky. On a seemingly ordinary day, First Officer 
Darren Ellisor and Pilot Tammie Jo Shults prepared for take-off, all 
systems a go. Shortly after takeoff, Southwest Airlines flight 1380's 
left engine exploded. Ellisor and Shults's military training kicked in, 
calmly bringing the plane to low altitude, and the duo eventually 
landed the plane safely in Philadelphia.
  Mr. Speaker, Air Force veteran and Southwest Airlines pilot Darren 
Ellisor has a storied career serving our great Nation in the United 
States Airforce. His dedication to his country and aid in what could 
have been a disastrous situation are commendable. He truly embodies 
what it means to be a great American.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________