[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17877]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROSWELL UFO FESTIVAL

 Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, today I would like to commemorate 
the 60th anniversary of the Roswell UFO incident.
  On July 8, 1947, the Roswell Army Air Field, RAAF, issued a statement 
announcing they had recovered a ``flying disk'' from a nearby ranch. 
This news release, concerning the landing of a mysterious object, was 
quickly changed. The next day, the RAAF issued a retraction and stated 
the mysterious object was in fact a downed weather balloon. Although 
Roswell Army Air Field officials had retracted their original statement 
within 24 hours, the controversy, which has endured for 60 years, had 
already begun.
  The interest ignited by the original ``flying disk'' statement 
continues to spark debate for many, not just in the great State of New 
Mexico but around the world. Supposed witnesses of the event and UFO 
theorists to this day claim that the mysterious object was an actual 
alien aircraft. Others hold steadfast in the Air Force's latest 
classification of the object being a U.S. Government spy balloon. 
Regardless of what was recovered 60 years ago, this notable event has 
become part of Roswell and the history of our State.
  For the past 12 years, the city of Roswell has celebrated this well-
known event by holding the Roswell UFO Festival on the town's main 
street. Skeptics and alien-enthusiasts alike gather from around the 
globe to commemorate the incident by partaking in numerous activities 
and programs during a 4-day festival. The people who converge in 
Roswell this year for the festival, July 5--8, are in for an exciting 
weekend, as it promises to be the best in the festival's history. 
Lectures, parades, concerts, hot air balloon rides and air shows are 
only a few of the items on this year's program.
  I have no doubt the controversy and debate surrounding the events of 
60 years ago will continue. However, as long as we are able to enjoy 
and commemorate such events in our country's history, I look forward to 
many more festivals such as these that bring people together from 
across the globe.

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