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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 513 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 513

 Recognizing December 17 as ``Wright Brothers Day'' and commemorating 
           the 120th anniversary of the first powered flight.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 18, 2023

   Mr. Tillis (for Mr. Budd (for himself, Mr. Brown, Mr. Tillis, Mr. 
 Vance, Mr. Braun, and Mr. Young)) submitted the following resolution; 
                   which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Recognizing December 17 as ``Wright Brothers Day'' and commemorating 
           the 120th anniversary of the first powered flight.

Whereas, on December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright (referred to in this 
        preamble as the ``Wright Brothers'') of Dayton, Ohio, performed the 
        first powered, controlled, sustained, heavier-than-air flight, near 
        Kitty Hawk, North Carolina;
Whereas the Wright Brothers continued their experiments and flights in the 
        United States and throughout Europe for people to see the miracle of 
        flight;
Whereas the successful first flight by the Wright Brothers launched a new era of 
        exploration, from the solo transatlantic flight by Charles Lindbergh, to 
        the Apollo 11 moon landing by Neil Armstrong, and beyond;
Whereas people of the United States achieved the first supersonic flight less 
        than 50 years after the first flight by the Wright Brothers, and 
        achieved manned spaceflight less than 60 years after the first flight by 
        the Wright Brothers;
Whereas the modern commercial aviation system that links the world through 
        commerce, trade, and travel owes its existence to the work of the Wright 
        Brothers;
Whereas the 3-axis control system devised for the ``Wright Flyer'' remains the 
        standard for fixed-wing aircraft;
Whereas the original ``Wright Flyer'' remains on display at the National Air and 
        Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution on the National Mall;
Whereas the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, North 
        Carolina, welcomes more than 400,000 visitors annually to the location 
        of the first flight by the Wright Brothers;
Whereas the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in Dayton, Ohio, 
        welcomes more than 90,000 visitors annually to the locations where the 
        Wright Brothers lived, worked, and conducted many test flights;
Whereas the Wright Brothers gave rise to a world of aviation supported and 
        enjoyed by enthusiasts, hobbyists, and aeronautical professionals across 
        the world;
Whereas the Wright Brothers finally realized the ancient and universal human 
        aspiration to defy gravity;
Whereas, in 1959 and 1961, Congress passed, and the President signed into law, 
        joint resolutions designating December 17 as ``Wright Brothers Day'';
Whereas, in 1963, Public Law 88-209 (36 U.S.C. 143) permanently designated 
        December 17 each year as ``Wright Brothers Day''; and
Whereas the inventive, courageous, and perseverant nature of the Wright Brothers 
        exemplifies the spirit of the United States and the people of the United 
        States; Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes December 17 as ``Wright Brothers Day'';
            (2) commemorates December 17, 2023, as the 120th 
        anniversary of the first flight of Orville and Wilbur Wright; 
        and
            (3) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
        ``Wright Brothers Day'' with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 
        and activities.
                                 <all>
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