IV 
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. KIL-
PATRICK, 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 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
02:54 Sep 19, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR661.IH
HR661
bajohnson on PROD1PC71 with BILLS
•HRES 661 IH 
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 vol-
unteer efforts and commitment to community service; 
Whereas in 2003, Irving contacted companies including air-
craft manufacturer Columbia, which agreed to provide 
him with a plane to fly around the world if he could se-
cure 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 air-
planes; 
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 sig-
nificant shortage of youth pursuing careers in aviation 
and aerospace; 
Whereas Irving’s efforts through Experience Aviation, Inc., 
have garnered widespread community support and spon-
sorship 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; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
02:54 Sep 19, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR661.IH
HR661
bajohnson on PROD1PC71 with BILLS
•HRES 661 IH 
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 accessi-
bility 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 found-
er of Experience Aviation, Inc., a nonprofit organi-
zation that inspires youth to pursue careers in avia-
tion 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 Insti-
tution National Air and Space Museum, to com-
memorate the historic achievements of Captain Bar-
rington Irving. 
Æ 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
02:54 Sep 19, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR661.IH
HR661
bajohnson on PROD1PC71 with BILLS