[DOCID: f:hr452.110]
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110th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 110-452
======================================================================
HONORING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF BARRINGTON ANTONIO IRVING, THE YOUNGEST
PILOT AND FIRST PERSON OF AFRICAN DESCENT EVER TO FLY SOLO AROUND THE
WORLD
_______
November 15, 2007.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
printed
_______
Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Res. 661]
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom
was referred the resolution (H. Res. 661) honoring the
accomplishments of Barrington Antonio Irving, the youngest
pilot and first person of African descent ever to fly solo
around the world, having considered the same, report favorably
thereon with amendment and recommend that the resolution as
amended be agreed to.
The amendments are as follows:
Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the
following:
That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors the accomplishments of Barrington Irving, the
youngest pilot and first person of African descent ever to fly
solo around the world and founder of a nonprofit organization
that inspires youth to pursue careers in aviation and
aerospace;
(2) encourages young people and minorities to pursue
educational opportunities in preparation for careers in
aviation and related industries; and
(3) encourages museums throughout the Nation related to
aviation to commemorate the historic achievements of Captain
Barrington Irving.
Amend the preamble to read as follows:
Whereas Barrington Irving was born in 1983 in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised
in inner-city Miami, Florida; and
Whereas Irving discovered his passion for aviation at the age of 15 when
Captain Gary Robinson, a Jamaican airline pilot who has since served as his
mentor, took him to tour the cockpit of a Boeing 777;
Whereas Irving overcame financial hardship to pursue his dream to become a
pilot by working miscellaneous jobs and working for private aircraft owners
in exchange for flying lessons;
Whereas Irving was the recipient of a joint Air Force/Florida Memorial
University Flight Awareness Scholarship to cover college tuition and flying
lessons for his tireless volunteer efforts and commitment to community
service;
Whereas in 2003, Irving contacted companies including aircraft manufacturer
Columbia, which agreed to provide him with a plane to fly around the world
if he could secure donations and components;
Whereas over several years, Irving visited aviation trade shows throughout
the country and secured more than $300,000 of cash and donated components
including the engine, tires, cockpit systems, and seats for a Columbia 400,
one of the world's fastest single-engine piston airplanes;
Whereas in the process of pursuing his dream of an around the world flight,
Irving founded a nonprofit organization in 2005 to address the significant
shortage of youth pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace;
Whereas Irving's efforts have garnered widespread community support and
sponsorship as an effective model to expose young people and
underrepresented groups to opportunities in aviation;
Whereas on March 23, 2007, Irving embarked from Miami, Florida, on a
24,600-mile flight around the world in an airplane named ``Inspiration'' at
23-years of age while still a senior majoring in aerospace at Florida
Memorial University;
Whereas on June 27, 2007, Irving concluded his flight in Miami, Florida,
after stopping in 27 cities throughout the world; and
Whereas Irving continues to inspire youth and adults alike with his
achievements and work to increase the accessibility of opportunities in
aviation and aerospace: Now, therefore, be it
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
House Resolution 661, as amended, expresses the House of
Representatives' support for the accomplishments of Barrington
Antonio Irving, a 23-year-old senior majoring in aerospace at
Florida Memorial University and the youngest pilot and first
person of African descent ever to embark on a 24,600-mile solo
flight around the world.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
H. Res. 661 expresses the House of Representatives' support
for the accomplishments of Barrington Antonio Irving, the
youngest pilot and the first person of African descent ever to
embark on a 24,600-mile solo flight around the world.
Irving was born in 1983 in Kingston, Jamaica, and was
raised in Miami, Florida. He discovered a passion for aviation
at the age of 15 when Captain Gary Robinson, a Jamaican airline
pilot, who has since served as his mentor, took him to tour the
cockpit of a Boeing 777.
In 2003, Irving's passion for aviation propelled him to
attend the Florida Memorial University where he majored in
aerospace. That same year, Irving began pursuing a new dream of
becoming the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world.
Irving began contacting companies including an aircraft
manufacturer, Columbia, which agreed to provide him with a
plane to fly around the world if he could secure donations and
components. Over several years, Irving visited aviation trade
shows throughout the country and secured more than $300,000 in
cash and donated components including the engine, tires,
cockpit systems, and seats for a Columbia 400, one of the
world's fastest single-engine piston airplanes.
While fundraising for his flight around the world and
earning his pilot's license, Irving overcame other financial
hardships by doing miscellaneous jobs for private aircraft
owners in exchange for flying lessons, and by earning a
scholarship for his volunteer efforts and commitment to
community service.
In 2005, Irving blended his commitment to community service
and his passion for aviation when he founded a nonprofit
organization that addresses the significant shortage of young
men and women pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace.
In March 2007, at the age of 23, Irving finally realized
his dream. He took off from Miami, Florida, on a 24,600-mile
flight around the world in an airplane named ``Inspiration'',
becoming the youngest pilot and the first person of African
descent to fly around the world. During his flight, Irving
stopped in 27 cities before finally landing back in Miami,
Florida.
This resolution honors Irving's passion for aviation and
his commitment to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot. This
resolution also recognizes Irving for his volunteer efforts and
commitment to community service. It encourages museums
throughout the nation related to aviation to commemorate the
historic achievements of Captain Barrington Irving.
SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION
H. Res. 661 honors Irving's passion for aviation and his
commitment to pursue his dream to become a pilot by doing
miscellaneous jobs, working for private aircraft owners in
exchange for flying lessons, and later founding a nonprofit
organization to address the shortage of youth pursuing careers
in aviation and aerospace. This resolution recognizes Irving
for his volunteer efforts and commitment to community service
and encourages museums throughout the nation related to
aviation to commemorate the historic achievements of Captain
Barrington Irving.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On September 18, 2007, Representative Alcee L. Hastings
introduced H. Res. 661.
On October 31, 2007, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Res. 661.
During consideration of the resolution, an amendment in the
nature of a substitute was adopted that made technical
corrections to the resolution. The Committee ordered H. Res.
661, as amended, reported favorably to the House by voice vote
with a quorum present.
RECORD VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives
requires each committee report to include the total number of
votes cast for and against on each record vote on a motion to
report and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter,
and the names of those members voting for and against. There
were no recorded votes taken in connection with any amendment
offered to H. Res. 661 or on ordering the resolution reported.
A motion to order H. Res. 661, as amended, reported favorably
to the House was agreed to by voice vote with a quorum present.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(I) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
reflected in this report.
COST OF LEGISLATION
Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, H. Res. 661 is a resolution of the House of
Representatives and therefore does not have the force of law.
As such, there is no cost associated with this resolution for
fiscal year 2008, or for any fiscal year thereafter.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII
1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee
advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes
funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level
for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under
current law is required.
2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance
goals and objectives for any measure that authorizes funding is
required.
3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding. Neither a cost estimate nor comparison for
any measure that authorizes funding is required.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, H. Res. 661 does not contain any
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI
of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, H. Res. 661 is a resolution of
the House of Representatives and therefore does not have the
force of law. As such, clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII does not
apply.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
H. Res. 661 contains no Federal mandates.
PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local,
or tribal law. The Committee states that H. Res. 661 does not
preempt any state, local, or tribal law.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this
Resolution.
APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law
104-1).
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
H. Res. 661 makes no changes in existing law.
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