[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 97 (Monday, June 5, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E521-E522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE FEARLESSNESS, PERSEVERANCE AND LEGACY OF JAMES ``JIMMIE'' 
                                MATTERN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 5, 2023

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of James ``Jimmie'' Mattern.
  Jimmie was born in Freeport, Illinois on March 8, 1905. From an early 
age, he was fascinated with mankind's newfound ability to take to the 
skies. His fascination quickly turned to passion, and in 1926, he 
embarked on his first solo flight. Jimmie spent the next several years 
as a pilot for cargo, passenger, and stunt planes, before changing 
course and setting his ambitions on breaking world records.
  In June of 1933, less than a year after an attempt at a tandem world 
speed record that ended with a crash landing in Belarus and a brief 
imprisonment in a Soviet prison, Jimmie set out from Floyd Bennett 
Field in New York to complete the first-ever solo flight around the 
world. Unfortunately, Jimmie once again crash landed in the USSR and 
had to navigate the frozen wilderness of Siberia before being rescued 
by nomadic fur traders. This year marks the 90th anniversary of 
Jimmie's historic solo flight.
  Following his awe-inspiring escapades, Jimmie became an international 
celebrity, spending the next several years touring the world recounting 
the epic true tales of his adventures.
  Jimmie's courageous attempt to challenge the limits of human 
capabilities inspired a generation of American aviators to reach for 
new

[[Page E522]]

heights. Quoting astronaut Wally Schirra, Ronald Reagan remarked in a 
tribute upon Jimmie's death, `We stood on your shoulders to reach the 
stars.'' Astronaut Neil Armstrong held similar admiration toward 
Jimmie, bringing both Jimmie's watch and license into space with him.
  During WWII, a patriotic Jimmie Mattern served as the engineering 
test pilot for the famed Lockheed P-38 fighter jet and invented the 
``piggy-back'' method of training pilots in the single pilot plane, 
ensuring American aviators were well-prepared to handle the complex and 
cutting-edge aircraft.
  As a result of his remarkable career and impact, Jimmie received 
numerous honors and awards throughout his life, including being 
welcomed into the Oval Office by 4 United States Presidents. He also 
received the Navy League Award and was awarded a one-of-a-kind United 
States Air Force citation for his work teaching young pilots.
  Today, Jimmie's legacy lives on through his 2 daughters, 6 
grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. His daring attempt to 
circumnavigate the globe, along with his many other contributions to 
American aviation, has inspired generations of young aviators to follow 
in his footsteps. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, 
I am honored to recognize the life and contributions of James 
``Jimmie'' Mattern.

                          ____________________