The Wright brothers quest to fly was born of a dream to
\nachieve the impossible and inspired by the freedom flight
\nwould bring. On Dec. 17, 2002, the 99th anniversary of the
\nWright brothers’ first powered flight, NASA and the U.S.
\nCentennial of Flight Commission will mark the start of the
\nyear long Centennial of Flight: Born of Dreams — Inspired by
\nFreedom celebration to honor their achievement, and the
\ncentury of flight-related milestones that followed. The
\ntribute will be at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space
\nMuseum (NASM) in Washington.<\/p>\n
\nNASA joins the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission and other
\npartner organizations for the kick-off event. NASA
\nAdministrator Sean O’Keefe will speak at the program, and
\nseveral astronauts will participate. As an official partner
\nof the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission, NASA plans
\ncelebratory activities during 2003 to commemorate the Wright
\nbrothers’ first powered flight on the sands of Kitty Hawk,
\nN.C., and to increase awareness about flight-related achievements.<\/p>\n
Other scheduled speakers and participants at the event
\ninclude Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James Roche, Chairman
\nof the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard Myers, FAA
\nAdministrator Marion Blakey and U.S. Centennial of Flight
\nCommission Chairman, NASM Director J.R. Jack Dailey.
\nPresident George W. Bush has been invited to attend to
\nformally sign a Presidential proclamation and present it to a
\nmember of the Wright family.<\/p>\n
“The remarkable events of Dec. 17, 1903, changed our world
\nforever,” said Administrator O’Keefe. “We at NASA pay tribute
\nto those accomplishments. As we chart the future course for
\nNASA through our new Integrated Space Transportation Plan, we
\nhold dear the legacy of the great aerospace pioneers, as we
\npursue our vision for the future –to improve life here on
\nEarth, to extend life into space, and to find life beyond the
\nknown universe,” he said.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission was created by
\nCongress to expand national and international interest in the
\ncommemoration of the centennial of powered flight. The
\nCommission is coordinating a national outreach campaign and
\nadvising the President, Congress and federal agencies on the
\nmost effective ways to encourage and promote national and
\ninternational participation during 2003. More information
\nabout the Commission is on the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission Web site at:<\/p>\n