[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 216]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        THE QUONSET AIR MUSEUM'S ACQUISITION OF AN F-14 AIRCRAFT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 24, 2002

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to announce a 
very important achievement by the Quonset Air Museum in North Kingston, 
Rhode Island. Thanks to the coordinated effort of the Hasbro 
Corporation, the Rhode Island Air National Guard, the Rhode Island 
delegation and the Quonset Air Museum, an all-volunteer organization, 
the museum has been selected as the new home for the US Navy F-14 
Tomcat, tail number A162591.
  The mission to bring an F-14 to the museum began over 3 years ago. 
Thanks to countless letters and phone calls over the years and the 
diligence of many dedicated civilians and members of the services, 
today we are rewarded with the acquisition of a military treasure. This 
aircraft will join 30 other military and civilian aircraft and 5,000 
smaller artifacts that are on display in the Quonset Air Museum. This 
plane was recently given a noble warrior's retirement from Fallon Naval 
Air Station in Nevada, the new home of the Navy's Top Gun competition. 
And it was even featured in the movie, Top Gun. But perhaps, most 
important of all, the F-14 has served the military for over 25 years. 
It was used in the Persian Gulf War and is now leading our effort in 
Afghanistan.
  Today Rhode Island celebrates these accomplishments at an appropriate 
time in our nation's history. This aircraft has trained and prepared 
some of the Navy's top fighter pilots. It exemplifies the strength and 
vigilance of our country's armed forces and it demonstrates the honor 
attached to the service to one's country. This occasion reminds me of 
the importance of patriotism and of my love of this country.
  I am proud to be an American, and I am proud to be a Rhode Islander. 
I hope that current and future generations visiting the Quonset Air 
Museum share my appreciation for the hard work of the museum in 
bringing this living legend to our community and for the tremendous 
debt owed to the F-14s and their pilots who have fought over the years 
to ensure America's freedom.

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