[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 10216-10217]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING MINEOLA WISENER FIELD AIRPORT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JEB HENSARLING

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2017

  Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to 
recognize 100 years of aviation at Mineola Wisener Field Airport 
located in Wood County, Texas. On July 4, 1917, a United States Army 
Signal Corps Curtis JN-4 ``Jenny'' aircraft, piloted by Lt. Ralph W. 
Stone, landed just outside Mineola, Texas. The site was established as 
``Massingale Meadow'' and was used as an emergency landing site for 
Love Field Airport. The site was published in books in 1920 and 1921 
and many early aviators and pioneers frequented the site.
  Robert ``Henry'' Wisener, Jr. was 12 years old when he observed the 
first landing from his family farm in 1917. When he was 17, Henry was 
taught to fly by Roy Wilson, a Hollywood stunt pilot who spent time at 
the field. Henry's love and passion for aircraft grew from there. On 
June 1, 1926, Henry leased ``Massingale Meadow'' and named the airport 
the Royal Field. Here he built the first airplane hangar and offered 
flight training, aircraft repairs and fuel. He later based the Royal 
Flying Circus here and together with his brother Bryce, performed 
aerial acrobatics throughout Texas and the Southwest and Midwest 
regions of the U.S.
  In 1941, Henry purchased ``Massingale Meadow'' along with a 50 acre 
tract to lengthen the runway. In 1946, an aircraft maintenance shop, 
classroom, and flight office were built to provide training under the 
GI Bill. During that year a decommissioned Department

[[Page 10217]]

of Commerce Airways Beacon Tower and Beacon were disassembled and moved 
to ``Massingale Meadow''.
  From 1963 to 1983, the city of Mineola leased the airport and it 
operated as the Mineola Municipal Airport. The airport was renamed 
Mineola Wisener Field Airport at the expiration of the lease.
  Wisener Field and its early founders and operators have been 
recognized throughout the years on many occasions, including by the 
Texas Historical Commission. The Texas Aeronautics Commission and the 
Federal Aviation Administration recognized Mineola Wisener Field 
Airport as the ``second oldest, continuously-used, uncontrolled airport 
in the state.'' As Wood County's first airport, Wisener Field has made 
a long-lasting impact on the economy, as well as aviation enthusiasts.
  As the Representative of the 5th Congressional District of Texas, it 
is an honor to recognize Wisener Field on the 100th Anniversary of its 
first landing.

                          ____________________