[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11340]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE AIR FORCE THUNDERBIRDS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 2010

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the long and dedicated 
service of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds Aerial 
Demonstration Team and to commend its latest of many visits to Duluth, 
Minnesota, in my Congressional District.
  The theme for the 2010 Duluth Air Show is ``Generations''--the 
generations of aircraft and American men and women who have flown them 
for more than a century. No other unit reflects this theme more than 
the Thunderbirds, who have captivating audiences with their precise, 
intricate aerial performances for half of a century. The Air Force 
Thunderbirds truly span generations, with thousands of pilots and many 
different aircraft, from the F-84 Thunderstreak to the current F-16 
Fighting Falcon. Since 1953, the pilots and support crew of the 
Thunderbirds have displayed unparalleled professionalism, dedication, 
patriotism and ability. Their commitment to the communities they visit 
is unmatched. Whether on the ground or in the air, the Thunderbirds 
bring great credit to themselves, the Air Force and the United States.
  On behalf of the millions of people who have witnessed the 
Thunderbirds' extraordinary flight demonstrations, I wish to offer my 
hearty thank you to the men and women in the unit and acknowledge their 
service to our great nation.

                          ____________________