[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16172]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING MR. JONATHAN STRICKLAND

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak 
out of order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentlewoman from 
California is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize an 
intelligent, gifted and courageous young man, Jonathan Strickland, who 
is a 14-year-old African American California resident who began his 
training to fly airplanes and helicopters at the age of 10 at 
Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum. This museum is located in my district 
at the Compton Woodley Airport in Compton, California, and is a 
nonprofit organization that strives to give adolescents the opportunity 
to reach their goal of flight. All program participants are able to 
receive free training, as long as they perform local community service. 
The museum director and an accomplished flight instructor, Robin 
Petgrave, saw fit to create this program that would serve youth in 
poverty stricken neighborhoods and provide them with a positive 
alternative away from the streets.
  Jonathan Strickland has clearly benefited from Tomorrow's 
Aeronautical Museum. I am proud to recognize his incredible 
achievements. He broke four world records in June, including being the 
youngest person to solo both a plane and a helicopter on the same day, 
being the youngest African American to solo a helicopter, and to fly a 
helicopter internationally. He also flew a helicopter round trip 
internationally.
  On July 1, 2006, Jonathan successfully landed back at Compton Woodley 
Airport and was greeted by his family, friends, the Compton Mayor 
Perrodin, well wishers, the media, as well as the original members of 
the Tuskegee Airmen. He was also presented with an application for 
future employment with the Los Angeles County Fire Department 
Operations Division.
  Ambitious and brave, Jonathan Strickland was able to live his dream 
because of Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum. I am proud that this 
wonderful program is in my Congressional district, and that it is 
changing young people's lives and creating ways for them to reach their 
potential and excel.
  Jonathan's future goals include becoming a test pilot, attending the 
Air Force Academy, and eventually becoming a commercial pilot. And as 
already a world record setter, I am confident that he will surpass 
every goal he sets for himself.
  He has recently graduated from St. Francis Cabrini School, and will 
enter Cleveland High School as a freshman in September of 2006. I am 
anxious to see what records he will set and break as a high school 
student.
  I join with his family, friends, his community, his supporters, and 
the Nation who are rightfully very proud of his accomplishments and 
have recognized him for his outstanding achievements.
  The President has also received a letter outlining those 
achievements. We are extremely proud of this young man.

                          ____________________