For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 13, 2001
Wright Brothers Day, 2001
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On December 17, 1903, from the dunes near Kitty Hawk, North
Carolina, Orville Wright made the first manned flight in an
engine-powered aircraft. Though the flight only covered 120 feet and
lasted just 12 seconds, Orville and his brother Wilbur Wright changed
history on that cold and gusty winter day.
Success had not come easily to the Wright brothers. Many
thought powered flight impossible; and skeptics called the Wrights
dreamers for even entertaining the idea. Undeterred, the
Wrights spent years in study, analyzing the flight of birds and
experimenting with model airplanes in their bicycle shop in Dayton,
Ohio. After many trials and errors, the Wright brothers
finally achieved a controlled flight and opened the door to a new
world.
On December 17 of each year, we honor the Wright brothers for their
contributions to our Nation. Their invention of powered
flight made the world community more connected. We have
since traveled to the Moon and back, and space shuttles orbit our
planet. All of these amazing advances can be traced back to
that windy day at Kitty Hawk when the indomitable will of the Wrights
persevered to triumph over the supposed impossible.
Air travel now is an essential part of this Nation's everyday
life. This proud industry will endure through the new challenges
presented by the tragedies of September 11. Joining together
as a Nation, we will continue to strengthen security while maintaining
the economic and social benefits of an efficient air transportation
system.
This Wright Brothers Day we salute all the scientific pioneers and
visionaries who, despite the critics, have over-come seemingly
insurmountable odds and made great advances for man. The
Wright brothers' perseverance and creativity can serve as an
inspiration for those inventors who will take us to new heights in the
21st century.
The Congress, by a joint resolution approved December 17, 1963 (77
Stat. 402; 36 U.S.C. 143), has designated December 17 of each year as
"Wright Brothers Day," and has authorized and requested the President
to issue annually a proclamation inviting the people of the United
States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 17, 2001, as
Wright Brothers Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day
of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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