[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 132 (Tuesday, August 20, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E834-E835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING RALPH WALDO ANDERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 20, 2024

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr Speaker, I would like to include in the 
Record the following Resolution in honor of Mr. Ralph Waldo Anderson.
  Whereas, Ralph Waldo Anderson was born in Greenbush, Minnesota, on 
September 23, 1934. Known to all simply as ``Waldo,'' from hardworking 
roots on the farm he has prospered to a full and active life.
  Whereas, Waldo had his first airplane ride from a nearby farm field 
in 1946.
  Whereas, Waldo enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1957. He trained as 
a mechanic and was assigned to Smoky Hill AFB in Salina, Kansas. There, 
he took flying lessons with the local military flying club, where he 
earned his Private and Commercial Pilot certificates.
  Whereas, in 1959, Waldo was hired by the University of Minnesota as 
an instructor for the university flight facility at Anoka County 
Airport.
  Whereas, by 1967, Waldo became the Chief Pilot for the University of 
Minnesota.

[[Page E835]]

  Whereas, Waldo transported university officials, including presidents 
and coaches, and made more than 1,000 organ transplant flights and 
medical assistance flights with hospital medics.
  Whereas, in September 1972, Waldo rescued a student pilot after 
distress calls could not be heard by local air traffic control. 
Anderson was commended by the National Association of Air Traffic 
Specialists for his ``calm, cool reassurances'' that brought the plane 
back to a safe landing.
  Whereas, Waldo retired from the University of Minnesota in 1996 but 
never from flying.
  Whereas, Waldo has been an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner since 1967 
and has flown more than 33,000 hours in more than 50 different 
aircraft.
  Whereas, Waldo has been an instructor with the American Bonanza 
Society for more than 26 years.
  Whereas, Waldo has provided flight instruction to countless pilots, 
including a NASA astronaut and more than 40 pilots now flying for 
commercial airlines, including two nephews who are captains with Delta 
Airlines.
  Whereas, Waldo's vast network and experience also includes brushes 
with Hollywood. He has trained many celebrities, including Harrison 
Ford, and flew a 1929 Sikorsky S-38 in the movie ``The Aviator'' with 
Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett.
  Whereas, Waldo is an accomplished airplane appraiser, providing 
reliable appraisals to satisfied customers across the country. Among 
the more interesting planes that he tracked down was one of the 
original Bellanca's that made up the fleet for Hawaiian Airlines at its 
founding. The plane was restored and featured in the airline's 80th 
anniversary celebration and he was invited to visit the restored plane 
in Honolulu.
  Whereas, for all these accomplishments and more, Ralph Waldo Anderson 
was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008.
  Whereas, Waldo has been married to Ruth Anderson for over 59 years, 
raising five children together, and spends time in Minnesota and 
Arizona, with visits to every airport in between.
  Whereas, Waldo celebrates his 90th birthday on September 23, 2024, 
and continues to fly, instruct, appraise, and enjoy planes, with no 
signs of stopping. Now, therefore, be it recognized,
  That I honor Ralph Waldo Anderson for his distinguished career and 
outstanding service to the United States of America, to the state of 
Minnesota, to the profession of aviation, and to the instruction of 
pilots.

                          ____________________