A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the memory of orville and wilbur wright and encouraging the citizens of this state to recognize 2003 as the aviation centennial year in north carolina.
Whereas, on December 17, 1903, at 10:35 A.M. near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful powered heavier‑than‑air flight, which lasted 12 seconds and traveled 120 feet; and
Whereas, a few years prior to the first flight, William Tate, Postmaster of Kitty Hawk, corresponded with the Wright brothers and encouraged them to test their experimental machine at the Outer Banks and later provided them with shelter in his home; and
Whereas, witnesses to the first flight were Kill Devil Hill Life Saving Station members John T. Daniels, Will S. Dough, and Adam D. Etheridge and Outer Banks inhabitants W.C. Brinkley and Johnny Moore; and
Whereas, John T. Daniels took photographs of the first flight, providing the world with proof that this event took place that December morning; and
Whereas, the Wright brothers' flight, a monumental innovation of the 20th century, made a significant impact in our daily lives; and
Whereas, the development of flight changed the delivery of mail and goods; methods of travel, transportation, communications, and warfare; agriculture production; emergency medical services; law enforcement; environmental protection; search and rescue; and disaster relief; and
Whereas, aviation led to the development of aerospace technology, allowing space exploration and lunar landings and the creation of the international space station; and
Whereas, in 2001, the United States' aerospace and aviation industry employed more than two million people, and in 2000, the industry had a payroll of $98 billion; and
Whereas, in 2001, the aerospace and aviation industry ranked 20th in North Carolina, providing over 38,000 jobs with a payroll of $1.6 billion; and
Whereas, military aviation has an economic impact of more than $4 billion a year in North Carolina; and
Whereas, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first flight, the 105th Congress declared 2003 as the Aviation Centennial Year in America; and
Whereas, during 2003, activities have been planned throughout the nation to mark the 100th anniversary of this historic flight; and
Whereas, in North Carolina, the City of Fayetteville hosted the Festival of Flight May 10‑26, 2003, which featured such activities as an arts festival, a military air show at Pope Air Force Base, and an exposition with aviation displays and interactive exhibits; and
Whereas, North Carolina's First Flight Centennial Commission plans to commemorate the first flight with displays, aerial performances, and a reenactment of the December 17, 1903, flights at the Wright Brothers National Memorial; and
Whereas, the people of North Carolina are proud to live in the State where humankind's first flight took place; and
Whereas, it is only fitting that 2003 be recognized as the Aviation Centennial Year in North Carolina; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Orville and Wilbur Wright and expresses its appreciation for the contributions they made to aviation.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly encourages the citizens of the State to participate in activities commemorating the first flight and to join together in celebrating 2003 as the Aviation Centennial Year in North Carolina.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.