U.S. Commission Will Work with N.C. to Coordinate National Centennial of Flight Celebration

Washington, D.C.
Nov. 19, 2001

The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission (COFC) and the First Flight Centennial Commission (FFCC) of North Carolina have signed a memorandum of agreement that will allow them to jointly promote the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first powered flight in 2003. As a result of this agreement, North Carolina's activities will receive the U.S. Commission's national outreach support. In turn, the FFCC will help promote Centennial of Flight: Born of dreams. Inspired by freedom., the overall national celebration.
The FFCC was created by the state of North Carolina to develop activities that commemorate the centennial celebration and the historical events within the state related to the first flight. They are currently planning a wide range of centennial activities across the state.
"The FFCC's fundamental task is to remind the world what a magnificent achievement the first flight was, to help us all understand what flight has meant to the world and to commemorate that achievement in North Carolina, the United States, and throughout the world," said Kathryn Holten, executive director of the FFCC. "We will do this through events, educational activities and partnerships with other organizations promoting flight. Working with the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission is a wonderful opportunity to help us carry out our mission."

Congress created the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission to help coordinate centennial activities across the nation, and to advise the President, Congress and federal agencies on ways to encourage and promote national and international participation in the centennial celebration.
"We are pleased to be working with the First Flight Centennial Commission," said COFC Chairman J.R. ("Jack") Dailey. "North Carolina played an instrumental role in the Wright brothers' first flight. The FFCC's involvement with the centennial celebration will be an important part of the overall celebration because of the historical significance of its location."
The organizations will work together to promote centennial activities and the milestones of flight through a variety of channels, including each other's Web sites, printed materials and the COFC main calendar of events. The FFCC and the COFC will encourage a wide variety of celebratory and educational events throughout North Carolina and the country. A complete listing of centennial events is available on the COFC's Web page, www.centennialofflight.gov.

About the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission:
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. Its members include the director of the National Air and Space Museum, the administrators of NASA and the FAA, the presidents of the Experimental Aircraft Association and First Flight Centennial Foundation of North Carolina, and the chairman of Inventing Flight: Dayton 2003. More information about the Commission can be found on the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission Web site at www.centennialofflight.gov.

About the First Flight Centennial Commission:
The First Flight Centennial Commission, which is under the auspices of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, is the state agency charged with planning and conducting educational programs and special events to commemorate the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' initial flight at Kill Devil Hills and to draw attention to North Carolina's leading role in the first century of aviation. Information about the commission and its programs can be found at www.firstflightnc.com.

Contact:

Christian Markow
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
804.675.8153
cmarkow@crtpr.com

Kathryn Holten
First Flight Centennial Commission
919.733.2003
kathryn.holten@ncmail.net