Washington, D.C.
December 12, 2002

Neil Armstrong and Sen. John Glenn will be among a group of 12 individuals helping to kick off the national Centennial of Flight: Born of Dreams – Inspired by Freedom commemoration on Tuesday, December 17 at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. The group will represent millions of men and women who have influenced aviation and spaceflight. The event, being coordinated by the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission, will begin at 9 a.m. and will mark the start of a yearlong national celebration honoring a century of powered flight in which a variety of organizations are taking part.

In addition to Armstrong and Glenn, the group of representatives includes:
Dr. Vance Coffman, chairman and chief executive officer of Lockheed Martin; Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company founder (represented by great-grandson Edsel B. Ford II); Gen. David Lee “Tex” Hill, World War II ace; Amelia Earhart, represented by niece Amy Kleppner; Charles Lindbergh, represented by grandson Erik Lindbergh; Dr. Shannon Lucid, NASA’s Chief Scientist; Pamela Melroy, NASA astronaut; Jody McCarrell, president of the Ninety Nines; Col. Charles McGee, representing the Tuskegee Airmen; and Wilbur and Orville Wright, represented by great- grand niece Amanda Wright Lane.
“These pioneers of flight represent the people behind the machines that took us off the ground,” said Gen. J.R. (Jack) Dailey, director of the National Air and Space Museum and chairman of the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission. “The character
and spirit they share will propel future pioneers through the next 100 years of discovery.”

Actor John Travolta will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event. Other speakers include: Gen. Dailey, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey and NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe. A representative from the U.S. Department of Transportation has been invited to pay special tribute to the Wright brothers.
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 and the many activities planned for 2003 can be found at www.centennialofflight.gov.

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