Congresswoman McDonald addresses the U.S. House of Representatives about Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum on C-SPAN
July 29th, 2006 Posted in Press
The following is the transcript from C-SPAN.. video footage coming soon.
Date: 07/27/2006 Time: 2:00pm Aired On: CSPN Show: U.S. House of Representatives
14:06:26.03 The speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlewoman from california, ms. Millender-mcdonald, is recognized for five minutes. Ms. Millender-mcdonald: thank you, mr. Speaker. Today i rise a talented and courageous young man, jonathan strickland, who is a 14-year-old african-american california resident who began his training to fly airplanes and helicopters at the age of 10 at tomorrows aeronautical museum. This museum is located in my district in compton, california, and is a nonprofit organization that strives to give adolescents the opportunity to reach their goal of flight. All program participants are able to receive free training as long as they perform local community service. The museum director and an accomplished flight instructor, robin petgrave, sought to provide youths with a positive alternative away from the streets with this program. Jonathan strickland clearly has benefited from tomorrows aeronautical museum. Im proud to recognize his incredible achievements. He broke four world records in june, including being the youngest person to solo both a plane and a helicopter on the same day, being the youngest african-american to solo a helicopter, and to fly a helicopter internationally (TRT=02:25)
14:08:00.72 On july 1, 2006, jonathan successfully landed back at compton whitley airport and was greeted by his family, friends, well-wishers, the mayor, the media, as well as the original members of the tuss ski go airmen. He also was presented an application for future employment with the los angeles county fire department. Ambitious and brave, jonathan strickland was able to live his dream of tomorrows aeronautical museum. I am proud that this wonderful program is in my congressional district and that it is changing young peoples lives and creating ways for them to reach their potential and excel. Jonathans future goals include becoming a test pilot, attending the air force academy, and eventually becoming a commercial pilot, and as already a world record-setter, i am confident that he will surpass every goal he sets for himself (TRT=01:47)
