March 10, 2005 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 151, Pt. 3 4409 HARRIET TUBMAN’S BIRTHDAY Today, that light is kept alive by the Harriet pilots are helping to ensure safe air transpor- Tubman Historical Society, located in my tation into the next generation. HON. CYNTHIA McKINNEY hometown of Wilmington, DE. Harriet Tubman In addition, I extend sincere congratulations OF GEORGIA Day is the brainchild of its executive director, to the Salina Airport Authority Board of Direc- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Vivian Abdur-Rahim. The widespread support tors, Mr. Tim Rogers, Executive Director, and this commemorative has receive around the the many fine airport staff members. While the Thursday, March 10, 2005 country—19 states and several citizens have airport’s 12,300 ft. runway was a significant Ms. MCKINNEY. Mr. Speaker, as the bells already endorsed it—is a result of Vivian’s tire- factor in the site selection for this historic at- of freedom toll around the globe, it seems ap- less tenacity. She has made a tremendous in- tempt, it didn’t hurt that the Salina Airport Au- propriate to honor one of America’s noble vestment toward establishing this day of rec- thority has established expertise in the areas freedom fighters. And so today, in recognition ognition and tribute, and I am proud to ask the of airfield security, ground handling, equipment of the memory and continuing legacy of a true Senate to add its support to such a worthy and media services. founder of American freedom, I am introducing and important effort. Other significant contributors to the mission a resolution to designate March 10, 1990, as f were the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, ‘‘Harriet Tubman Day.’’ led by Mr. Gerald Cook, President/CEO, and Harriet Tubman was born on the eastern CONGRATULATING PILOT STEVE staff; and, the City of Salina, Mr. Monte shore of Maryland around 1820 and escaped FOSSETT AND THE COMMUNITY Shadwick, Mayor; Mr. Dennis Kissinger, City from slavery in 1849. Her freedom, however, OF SALINA, KS Manager, and staff. This was truly a collabo- was not the beginning of her fight. Even as a rative effort, of magnificent proportions, befit- child slave, she battled against slavery and in- HON. JERRY MORAN ting a record-setting feat. justice. One day, she was ordered by an over- OF KANSAS I join the world in congratulating Steve seer to help him tie up another slave who was IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fossett and honoring the contributions of the to be beaten. She defied that order and al- greater Salina community on a job well done. Thursday, March 10, 2005 lowed the fellow slave to escape. But in the f process, Harriet Tubman paid a high price for Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise HONORING BOB LANIER her defiance and her convictions. She was in- today to honor Mr. Steve Fossett, pilot of the flicted with a wound so severe that it would Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, and all those who cause health problems for the rest of her life. assisted him during his successful world HON. RAHM EMANUEL The beating was not the first, nor would it be record-setting flight around the world last OF ILLINOIS the last. But despite that cruel scar and de- week. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES spite the deep scars of slavery, Harriet Tub- Steve Fossett flew the first solo, non-stop, Thursday, March 10, 2005 man still pursued. With a vigor difficult to non-refueled aerial circumnavigation of the Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in image, she pursued her seemingly distant globe in a jet aircraft, completing the record- order to recognize the 80th birthday of Bob dreams and the buried promise of freedom. setting flight in 67 hours and one minute, with Lanier, former Mayor of Houston and a dedi- Her own freedom was not good enough, an average speed of nearly 300 miles per cated public servant. Bob may not have en- though—others were still enslaved. A year hour. This feat began on Monday, February tered politics until after his 66th birthday, but after her own escape, Harriet Tubman became 28, 2005, and ended Wednesday, March 3, he certainly made up for lost time in the 14 a conductor on the underground railroad. She 2005, at the renowned ‘‘America’s Fuel Stop,’’ years that followed. was so successful—she alone led about 300 the Salina Municipal Airport, Kansas, USA. Bob had a distinguished career before he slaves to freedom—that a bounty, with a horri- With aviation pioneers like Earhart, Beech and ran for Mayor of Houston. He served in the fying sentence of torture until death, was of- Cessna to its credit, it is only fitting that to- Navy during World War II, graduated from the fered for her capture. Yet, she continued to day’s modem aviation pioneer chose Kansas University of Texas Law School with high hon- travel the route of the underground railroad, as the location to set his world record. ors, and chaired the Texas Highway Commis- telling fellow conductor Thomas Garrett that Mr. Fossett is an accomplished adventurer, sion and Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Au- she ‘‘ventured only where God sent: and brag- having set numerous world records in aviation thority. ging years later that she had ‘‘never run off and sailing. In fact, Mr. Fossett owns the world Bob has been the recipient of several pres- track or lost a passenger.’’ Time and time record for the number of world records held, tigious awards, including the Hubert Humphrey again whenever Harriet Tubman encountered with a total of 62, to date. Collaborating with Civil Rights Award, the Bond Market Associa- unbeatable odds or insurmountable obstacles, Sir Richard Branson, famed British entre- tion’s Distinguished Public Service Award, and she beat them and surmounted them, forging preneur and founder of the Virgin Group of a place in the Texas Transportation Hall of a path of service, spirit, and strength for all of companies, he embarked on this around-the- Honor. us to follow. world voyage, aiming to set world records in Respected and admired by Americans on Through her service—as a conductor on the speed around the world without stopping or re- both sides of the aisle, Bob served the people underground railroad, as a soldier and a ten- fueling, distance over a close circuit without of Houston exceptionally well during his three der of soldiers, and as a speaker for those landing, and distance without landing. The Vir- terms. They returned him to office in 1993 with who could not speak for themselves—Harriet gin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, the plane Mr. Fossett over 91 percent of the vote, and he left office Tubman gave hope to countless slaves who flew for this trek, was specially designed to be with a remarkable 78 percent approval rating. referred to her as their ‘‘Moses’’ and who, be- lightweight, aerodynamic, and fuel-efficient. Within his first 90 days in office, ‘‘Mayor cause of her, realized that they would one day Mr. Fossett encountered several obstacles Bob,’’ as he was affectionately known, added be led from oppression to the promised land during his flight, including the failure of his 655 police officers, leading to a dramatic re- of freedom. Through her strength—a strength plane’s navigation system and the discovery of duction in the city’s crime rate. He was also that compelled her to risk her own freedom so a fuel shortage. However, his perseverance known for revitalizing several areas of Hous- that others could experience it—Harriet Tub- and determination to succeed, despite the ton, transforming them into vibrant engines of man provided an inspiration of liberty, justice challenges, have earned him yet another nota- the city’s economy. and opportunity that serves us still. The serv- tion in the record books. Further, he made tremendous strides in en- ice, spirit and strength of Harriet Tubman rep- I am also proud of those who assisted Mr. vironmental preservation. He and his wonder- resents in timeless eloquence much of what is Fossett and the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, es- ful wife Elyse won two national awards for best in us, as Americans and as human pecially the talented and dedicated staff of Dr. clean up and beautification of the city. Presi- beings. Dennis Kuhlman, Dean of the College of dent Clinton summed up Bob’s contributions to Mr. President, slavery was the darkest Technology and Aviation at Kansas State Uni- the city when he said, ‘‘He was a magnificent chapter in American history. But, out of the versity at Salina. K-State at Salina is one of mayor.’’ darkness of persecution in South Africa came the top aviation schools in the nation, boasting Bob received many accolades during his six the light of Nelson Mandela. And, out of the excellent facilities for student use, which also years as mayor, but perhaps most fitting was darkness of slavery in America came the light helped to attract Mr. Fossett. The efforts of K- when Texas Monthly named him one of three of Harriet Tubman. State at Salina to train aviation mechanics and top Texas mayors of the 20th century.

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