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99th
Anniversary of Wright Brothers’ First Flight
Marks
Launch of Aviation and Centennial Celebrations Scheduled
for 2003
December 17, 2002
Aviation icons, including astronauts
Dr. Neil Armstrong and Sen. John Glenn and relatives
of the Wright brothers, today joined with actor
and aviator John Travolta to kick off a yearlong
commemoration honoring the 100th anniversary
of the Wright brothers' first flight.
The U.S Centennial of Flight
Commission coordinated the Centennial of Flight:
Born of Dreams - Inspired by Freedom event at
Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. This
event was the first of many Centennial themed festivities
throughout the country, including Dayton, Ohio,
the birthplace of aviation, and Kitty Hawk, N.C.,
the site of the Wright brothers' first flight at
10:35 a.m. on Dec. 17, 1903.
Armstrong and Glenn, along with
Amanda Wright Lane, great-grand niece of Wilbur
and Orville Wright, were among a group of 12 aviation
pioneers honored in today's ceremony. Collectively,
the group of aviation pioneers represented the millions
of men and women who have influenced aviation and
spaceflight. Other pioneers included:
- Dr. Vance Coffman, chairman
and chief executive officer of Lockheed Martin
Corp.
- 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
Amanda Wright Lane, great-grand
niece of the Wright brothers, said, "Although my
great uncles were humble men, they would be proud
of what this celebration is inspiring."
Speakers and participants included:
Deputy Secretary of Transportation Michael Jackson;
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey; NASA Administrator
Sean O'Keefe; and U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
Chairman and Smithsonian's National Air and Space
Museum Director Gen. J.R. (Jack) Dailey.
Dailey said, "The stories of
the Wright brothers and the pioneers of flight who
followed them are filled with examples of determination,
innovation and a passion to make our dreams a reality.
Today it's fitting that we begin this celebration
in a place filled with icons of that spirit - a
spirit we hope to rekindle across the nation."
In addition to aviation icons
honored during the hour-long event, the Commission
also highlighted its Centennial Partners who are
planning events and activities to honor the Wright
brothers and aviation history in 2003. These Partners
include:
- Inventing Flight: Dayton 2003
- U.S. Air Force
- American Institute of Aeronautics
and Astronautics
- EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk
presented by Ford Motor Company
- Aviation Week
- National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA)
- Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA)
- Smithsonian's National Air
and Space Museum
- Fayetteville Festival of Flight
- Space Day Foundation
- Rockefeller Center
- North Carolina First Flight
Centennial Commission
- North Carolina First Flight
Centennial Foundation
Actor John Travolta, who served
as the master of ceremonies for the event said,
"Look to this year, the Centennial of Flight celebration,
to inspire us. Look to these stories of greatness
to drive us to accomplish our own feats, be they
of global consequence or personal fulfillment."
Travolta is a licensed jet pilot who has logged
close to 5,000 hours since earning his wings in
1974.
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
804.350.2383 - wireless
cmarkow@crtpr.com
Julie Breissinger
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
804.675.8167
804.909.3708 - wireless
jbreissinger@crtpr.com
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