H. Res. 444 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

April 30, 2008. 

Whereas the safety of the flying public is ensured and the integrity of the aircraft airworthiness is personally guaranteed by individuals who comprise the professional aviation 

maintenance technician workforce; 

Whereas the professional aviation maintenance technician is 

a key member of the United States military in protecting 

America through a strong armed forces aviation infrastructure; 

Whereas the duties of aviation maintenance technicians are 

critical to United States homeland security and an integral component of the Nation’s aerospace industry; 

Whereas the professional aviation maintenance technician 

provides the strong infrastructure on which public confidence in our airborne transportation safety and military 

aviation strength is ensured; 

Whereas the professional philosophy of the certificated aviation maintenance technician is embodied in the Aviation 

Mechanic’s Creed: 

UPON MY HONOR I swear that I shall hold in sacred trust the rights and privileges conferred upon me as 

a certified mechanic. Knowing full well that the safety 

and lives of others are dependent upon my skill and judg-
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ment, I shall never knowingly subject others to risks 

which I would not be willing to assume for myself, or for 

those dear to me. 

IN DISCHARGING this trust, I pledge myself 

never to undertake work or approve work which I feel to 

be beyond the limits of my knowledge nor shall I allow 

any non-certified superior to persuade me to approve aircraft or equipment as airworthy against my better judgment, nor shall I permit my judgment to be influenced 

by money or other personal gain, nor shall I pass as airworthy aircraft or equipment about which I am in doubt 

either as a result of direct inspection or uncertainty regarding the ability of others who have worked on it to accomplish their work satisfactorily. 

I REALIZE the grave responsibility which is mine 

as a certified airman, to exercise my judgment on the airworthiness of aircraft or equipment. I, therefore, pledge 

my unyielding adherence to these precepts for the advancement of aviation and for the dignity of my vocation. 

Whereas in 1902 Charles Edward Taylor began working as 

a machinist for Orville and Wilbur Wright at the Wright 

Cycle Company in Dayton, Ohio; 

Whereas using only a metal lathe, drill press, and hand tools, 

Charles Edward Taylor built, in 6 weeks, the 12-horsepower engine that was used to power the Wright brothers’ first flying machine; 

Whereas Charles Edward Taylor’s ingenuity earned him a 

place in aviation history when the Wright brothers successfully flew their airplane in controlled flight on December 17, 1903; 

Whereas Charles Edward Taylor had a successful career in 

aviation maintenance for more than 60 years; 
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Whereas Charles Edward Taylor was honored by the Federal 

Aviation Administration with the establishment of the 

Charles Edward Taylor Master Mechanic Award, which 

recognizes individuals with 50 years or more of aviation 

maintenance experience; 

Whereas Charles Edward Taylor has become a hero to aircraft maintenance technicians worldwide; and 

Whereas 45 of the States together with the Commonwealths, 

Territories, Republics, and Federations of the United 

States have already declared May 24 to be Aviation 

Maintenance Technician Day within their jurisdictions: 

Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) supports National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day to honor the professional men and women who 

ensure the safety and security of our airborne aviation 

infrastructure; and 

(2) recognizes the life and memory of Charles Edward Taylor, the aviation maintenance technician who 

built and maintained the engine that was used to power 

the Wright brothers’ first controlled flying machine on 

December 17, 1903. 

Attest: 

Clerk.