Transcript of Pelosi Remarks at Statue Dedication Ceremony Honoring Amelia Earhart of Kansas
Contact: Speaker's Press Office, 202-226-7616 | |
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined Congressional Leadership, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Members of the Kansas Congressional Delegation for a statue dedication and unveiling ceremony in honor of Amelia Earhart. Below are the Speaker's remarks: Speaker Pelosi. Good morning, everyone. As Speaker of the House, it is my privilege to welcome you to Statuary Hall as we celebrate an American who personifies the daring and determined spirit of our nation – Amelia Earhart. On behalf of the Congress, thank you all to the leaders who fought so relentlessly for nearly a quarter of a century to ensure that Amelia takes her rightful place here in the Capitol. Now, at this time, please stand as you are able for the Presentation of the Colors and the National Anthem. *** Now, it is my special honor to invite our program participants to join in the unveiling of this glorious statue. Some of you have – may have been here in years past where we save this unveiling to the end. We want you all to see it, since it's so wonderful to see so many people gathered together once again. Members of the Kansas Delegation, both in the House and Senate, including – well, let me say first, Governor Laura Kelly, and then Congresswoman Sharice Davids, Congressman Tracy Mann, Congressman Jake LaTurner, Congressman Ron Estes, Senator Jerry Moran, Senator Roger Marshall, Karen Seaburg, Jacque Pregont from the Amelia Earhart Foundation, Leaders McCarthy and McConnell. *** Thank you. This is a very exciting day for all of us. Thank you to all of our speakers for your beautiful tributes and prayers about Amelia Earhart. Thank you, Kansas, for bringing honor to this Capitol with this beautiful gift of [an]Amelia Earhart statue. Her presence here brings luster to the Capitol and luster to the State of Kansas. Thank you all so much for making this possible. It's a privilege to join in celebrating this pioneering pilot, who was a source of pride for Kansas and for our entire country. And how special it is here to be with members of Amelia Earhart's family. Will those of you from the family please rise so that we can recognize you? Thank you so much for being here. [Applause] How proud you must be. It's an honor for us to welcome you here. And I want to acknowledge, also, a first: Army – Air Force Major General Jeannie Leavitt, who is here. General please, let us – [Applause] Another first, a distinguished woman in aviation. I also want to acknowledge that, as of yesterday, Navy Lieutenant Amanda Lee became the first woman to become a Blue Angel jet pilot. How appropriate, right in the week that Amelia is – [Applause] Amelia Earhart's name is synonymous with courage. Her bravery knew no boundaries or borders, soaring from coast to coast, continent to continent, island to shore. As we all know, Amelia Earhart's towering legacy as an aviator is to be rivaled by few. She was the first woman, as we know, and the – only the second person – to fly solo across the Atlantic, as Senator Moran discussed. And in doing so, she also set new records for speed and time elapsed between two continents. For the barriers she broke, the Congress awarded her the Distinguished Flying Cross – the first woman in American history to receive this prestigious honor. For her extraordinary feats, reporters at the time called her the ‘Queen of the Air.' But not only was she an outstanding aviator, but she had a strong moral compass as an outspoken champion for gender equality. Amelia envisioned aviation as a great equalizer, and she fought valiantly to close the gender gap. In a 1935 radio address, she offered words that continue to inspire us today. And these are her words: ‘Aviation, this young modern giant, exemplifies the possible relationship of women and the creation of science. While still greatly outnumbered, they are finding more and more opportunities for employment in the ranks of this latest transportation medium. I hope this movement will spread through all branches of science and industry, and that women may come to share with men the joy of doing.' Amelia Earhart. And to help to advance this goal, she founded the Ninety-Nines, which remains, today, a powerful voice for female pilots all around the world. Courage and optimism: they're in America's DNA. And Amelia Earhart's fearlessness in flight fits proudly into this all-American tradition – from the heartland of America. Now, with this majestic statue, we pay tribute to a giant and a revolutionary, not only in women's history but in human history. Indeed, all are in awe of how she in the words of poet John Gillespie Magee, Jr. – said: She slipped the surly bonds of Earth … Topped the wind-swept heights … And touched the face of God. Touched the face of God. As we gather here with so many visitors from Kansas – Governor, thank you – and our Members of Congress and friends. Remember the – many of us were together in this Capitol as we said goodbye to Bob Dole. I can't think of Kansas without mentioning his name – Majority Leader Dole. And last time many of us were together was at his burial at Arlington National Cemetery some months after that. How proud he would be, how proud he would be. I feel that he is with us. And as others have mentioned, when girls and boys come to the Capitol and see Amelia, they will visit here and set their sights higher – knowing, too, that they can reach for the sky. And when they see this statue, when it's quiet here in the Capitol, they will hear the ‘Sound of Wings.' Wasn't that beautiful? The song that they sang. Thank you. [Applause] Thank you, everyone, for coming today to celebrate the legendary Amelia Earhart. Now, I'm sure she would accommodate any of you who want your pictures taken with her today. It's a cause for celebration. Thank you all for making it so. Thank you so much. Thank you. [Applause] # # # | |