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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 661 Introduced in House (IH)]

110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
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.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 18, 2007

    Mr. Hastings of Florida (for himself, Mr. Meek of Florida, Ms. 
  Kilpatrick, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of 
Florida, Ms. Norton, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Cummings, 
    Mr. Cohen, Ms. Matsui, and Ms. Wasserman Schultz) submitted the 
     following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                   Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Honoring the accomplishments of Barrington Antonio Irving, the youngest 
 pilot and first person of African descent ever to fly solo around the 
                                 world.

Whereas Barrington Irving was born in 1983 in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in 
        inner-city Miami, Florida;
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 Experience Aviation, Inc., a nonprofit organization, in 
        2005 to address the significant shortage of youth pursuing careers in 
        aviation and aerospace;
Whereas Irving's efforts through Experience Aviation, Inc., 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
    Resolved, 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 Experience Aviation, Inc., 
        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, including the Smithsonian Institution National Air 
        and Space Museum, to commemorate the historic achievements of 
        Captain Barrington Irving.
                                 <all>
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