News Release - House Passes Resolution Honoring Fayetteville, Festival of Flight

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

April 1, 2003

Contact: Sara Lang
Phone: (202) 225-4531

House Passes Resolution Honoring Fayetteville, Festival of Flight

WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives last night passed H.Con. Res. 58, a resolution sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) honoring the City of Fayetteville for its 11-day celebration recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight, by a vote of 393-0. Fayetteville's Festival of Flight will bring together the people of Fayetteville, North Carolina and the world to celebrate the history of flight that began in 1903 with the Wright Brothers' historic flight. The congressional resolution, which was co-sponsored by all the members of the North Carolina congressional delegation, honors the city's contributions to flight.

"It is with great pleasure that I stand before Congress and honor the City of Fayetteville," Etheridge said. "I am proud that my colleagues from around the country joined with me to pay tribute to Fayetteville and the Festival of Flight. One hundred years ago, two brothers took a chance, believed in a dream and made history. In just 12 seconds, the world was changed forever. Man took to the skies, and the world became smaller; the boundaries were pushed outward; and the impossible became possible. It is our hope that the Festival of Flight will touch the children of this generation, inspiring them to reach for the heavens."

Fayetteville's Festival of Flight is one of only four events nationwide endorsed as a full partner by the United States Centennial of Flight Commission. It will be the largest public centennial event in North Carolina featuring a weekend arts festival, a two-day military air show at Pope AFB, a general aviation air show at Grannis Field and a seven-day exposition with aviation displays and interactive exhibits, all of which will culminate with a spectacular Memorial Day celebration. A year-long educational curriculum has also been developed to compel students' interest in aviation and flight technology. This educational focus will culminate with 1,000 students being sponsored each day for exclusive access to the Festival's Aviation Exposition.