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Washington, D.C.
Dec. 4, 2002
The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission announced today that
international superstar John Travolta has agreed to serve as the
master of ceremonies at the national kick-off to the yearlong
commemoration honoring the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers'
first flight.
"Every cent of my first paychecks went to flying lessons," said
Travolta, who became enamored with flight as a child. "It's truly a
passion for me Ð and participating in the centennial of flight
celebration is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There's a thrill, a
beauty and an art to flight that I would like to encourage everyone
to explore."
Travolta, who serves as Australian-based international airline
Qantas' Ambassador-at-Large, is a licensed jet pilot who has logged
close to 5,000 hours since earning his wings in 1974.
The Centennial of Flight: Born of Dreams Ð Inspired by Freedom
kick-off will be held at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space
Museum in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 17, 2002, the 99th anniversary
of the first powered flight. The event is invitation only. Confirmed
speakers and participants include John Travolta, FAA Administrator
Marion Blakey, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe, and U.S. Centennial
of Flight Commission Chairman and National Air and Space Museum
Director Gen. J.R. Dailey.
"John Travolta loves to fly - and flying is what this commemoration
is all about," said Dailey. "Someone of his stature will bring
recognition to the spirit of flight, and hopefully encourage people
across the country to get involved in the celebration. We are
honored to have him join us for the kick-off and look forward to an
exciting year."
Ceremony plans include aviation notables accepting honors on behalf
of millions of men and women who have influenced aviation. NASA will
present official centennial of flight banners to the National Park
Service to be displayed in North Carolina and Ohio. President George
W. Bush and Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta have been
invited for the signing and presentation of the "Wright Brothers
Day" proclamation. Numerous aviation and aerospace pioneers will be
in attendance.
Following his breakout role in the 1970s television series "Welcome
Back, Kotter," Travolta launched a successful film career with such
projects as Carrie, Saturday Night Fever (his first Academy Award
nomination for Best Actor), Grease, Urban Cowboy, Blowout and Look
Who's Talking. He earned his second Oscar nomination for the 1994
crime thriller Pulp Fiction, bringing him to a new level of stardom
behind such films as Get Shorty (which garnered a Golden Globe win
among four other nominations), Broken Arrow, Phenomenon, Michael,
Face Off, Primary Colors, A Civil Action, Battlefield Earth, The
General's Daughter and Swordfish. Travolta recently completed
production of Basic, co-starring Samuel Jackson.
The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission was created by Congress to
expand national and international interest in the commemoration of
the centennial of powered flight. The Commission is coordinating a
national outreach campaign and advising the President, Congress and
federal agencies on the most effective ways to encourage and promote
national and international participation in 2003. More information
about the Commission can be found on the U.S. Centennial of Flight
Commission Web site at http://www.centennialofflight.gov/.
NOTE TO BROADCAST OUTLETS:
NASA Television will be providing live satellite uplink services for
the entire ceremony. Those interested in pulling down the live feed
from NASA Television should call Christian Markow at 804.675.8153.
Contact:
Christian Markow
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
804.675.8153
cmarkow@crtpr.com
Julie Breissinger
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
804.675.8167
jbreissinger@crtpr.com
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