[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 200 (Wednesday, December 19, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF ALMA NEWSOM FORNAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PAUL COOK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2018

  Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and remember the 
outstanding life of Alma Newsom Fornal, 1st lieutenant of the U.S. Army 
Air Corp.
  Mrs. Fornal, born in 1920, graduated from the University of Arkansas. 
Upon graduation she moved to Mississippi to be with her father, where 
she then took up flying. In 1943 she joined the Army Air Corps as a 
member of the pioneering group called the Women Air Force Service 
Pilots (WASPs), making her one of the first women allowed to fly 
military aircraft. These trailblazing pilots were an integral part of 
the World War II war effort. Her contributions as a test pilot enabled 
safer flights of the AT-6 for male pilots serving overseas. In 2009 she 
was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Barack Obama.
  Alma Newsom Fornal was laid to rest today December 19, 2018. Her 
dedication to serving our nation in its time of need is due the utmost 
respect and admiration, and her place in history and time of service 
will be honored. On behalf of the United States House of 
Representatives, I thank her for her patriotism and pioneering spirit 
which have paved the way for future generations.

                          ____________________