[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24679]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION TO HONOR BARRINGTON IRVING

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 18, 2007

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my good 
friend Congressman Kendrick Meek to introduce legislation to honor the 
achievements of Captain Antonio Barrington Irving, the youngest pilot 
and first person of African descent to fly solo around the world. The 
historic achievements of this dedicated young man are worthy of the 
utmost respect and recognition by this great Congress. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in commemorating his achievement and encouraging 
youth to pursue careers in aviation.
  Barrington Irving was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1983 and soon 
after moved to Miami, FL. When Irving was 15 years old, he met Captain 
Gary Robinson, a Jamaican airline pilot who invited Irving to tour a 
Boeing 777. After this inspirational experience, Captain Robinson 
became a lifelong mentor, inspiring Irving to fly one day himself. 
Enduring the challenges of growing up in inner-city Miami, Irving never 
let his dreams of becoming a pilot be stifled. Irving worked 
miscellaneous jobs to save for lessons and diligently practiced on a 
home computer flight simulator. Irving also volunteered quite 
frequently in his community and eventually earned a joint Air Force/
Florida Memorial University Flight Awareness Scholarship to study 
aviation and take professional flying lessons.
  Madam Speaker, Irving took tremendous steps to pursue his dreams in 
aviation while still a student at Florida Memorial University. In 2003, 
he contacted companies, including the aircraft manufacturer Columbia, 
which agreed to provide him with a plane to fly around the world if he 
could secure donations and components. Over several years, Irving 
visited aviation trade shows throughout the country and secured more 
than $300,000 in cash and donated components for a Columbia 400, one of 
the world's fastest single-engine piston airplanes.
  On March 23, 2007, Irving embarked from Miami, FL, on a 24,600-mile 
flight around the world in an airplane named ``Inspiration.'' He was 23 
years of age while still a senior majoring in aerospace at Florida 
Memorial University at the time. Irving traveled the world as an 
ambassador of aviation, teaching young people in 27 cities about 
opportunities in aviation and the importance of academics. He returned 
from his journey on June 27, 2007, concluding his flight in Miami, FL.
  Impressively, even before his around the world flight, Irving founded 
the non-profit organization Experience Aviation, Inc. to address the 
significant shortage of youth pursuing careers in aviation and 
aerospace. This non-profit has been extremely effective in garnering 
widespread community support and sponsorship to expose youth and 
underrepresented groups to opportunities in aviation. Irving continues 
to be dedicated to his community after his around the world flight and 
tirelessly works to inspire those around him to reach for their dreams.
  Madam Speaker, this young man embodies the perseverance and 
dedication necessary to truly pursue one's dreams. Barrington Irving 
realized those aspirations and deserves acknowledgement for continuing 
to inspire so many. I urge my colleagues' support for this resolution 
as we work to demonstrate what can be achieved if you never let go of 
your passion and commitment to the community.

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