Chris Pappas: “This bill creates a commission to recognize the centennial of the first flight. The achievement of the Wright Brothers…”

“This bill creates a commission to recognize the centennial of the first flight. The achievement of the Wright Brothers, Wilbur and Orville, began an era of unprecedented change. Since those few historic seconds on the dunes at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, American industry has developed the powered aircraft into a major commercial industry, a vital instrument of our national defense, and a precursor to our efforts to ascend to the outer reaches of space. Because these sons of an Ohio preacher had the initiative and ambition to build beyond the bicycle repair shop that they ran in Dayton, Ohio, we benefit from faster transportation around the world, a more mobile society, and an export industry that extends our economic leadership around the globe. The first flight marked the opening of the 20th century, and the Federal Government has played a major role in all aviation development during this century.”