[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 248-249]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF FREDDY CABANAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE GARCIA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 18, 2013

  Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend and 
legend in the Key West community, Fred Cabanas. An aerobatic daredevil, 
fourth generation Conch, loving husband, and father, Freddy died this 
past Tuesday doing what he loved, flying.
  I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest 
sympathies and condolences to all who knew him, especially to his

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wife of over 30 years, Susan, and his two children, Kelly and Ray.
  Freddy began flying at the age of 16, hanging around airport hangars 
at Key West International Airport, exchanging plane washes for flying 
lessons. In time, Freddy became an aviation legend in Key West.
  Freddy helped put Key West on the map by opening ceremonies and 
competing in airshows with incredible stunts, both high in the sky and 
frighteningly close to the ground. His skill and enthusiasm for 
aviation were so ingrained in Key West culture that he was named 
General of the Conch Republic Air Force.
  But, Freddy was more than a talented aviator. He was a skilled and 
generous businessman as well. As the proprietor of Cabanas Aeronautics 
Unlimited, he enjoyed providing sightseeing tours of the beautiful 
Florida Keys, thrill rides to the brave-hearted, and perhaps most of 
all, giving back to others, from mentoring other pilots to flying 
supplies to earthquake-stricken Haiti.
  Mr. Speaker, the skies above Key West are just a little dimmer today 
without Freddy zooming overhead, but he will long be remembered for his 
renowned talent, gregarious spirit, generous heart, and the indelible 
mark he has left on the cultural fabric of Key West.

                          ____________________