House Proceeding on Oct 14th, 2009 :: 4:03:00 to 4:07:25
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4:02:57 to 4:03:18( Edit History Discussion )

Todd Tiahrt: thank yo we have no further speakers on our side. i would reserve our time. gentleman from illinois reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman fromis -- from wisconsin is recognized. he may consume to our colleague from kansas, todd tiahrt. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from kansas is recognized.

4:03:00 to 4:07:25( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Todd Tiahrt

4:03:19 to 4:03:39( Edit History Discussion )

Todd Tiahrt: mr. tiahrt: mr. speaker, thank you very much. i want to first thank chairman costello for his leadership on this legislation and also ranking member petri for their help in recognizing russ meyer. it's with great pleasure i come to the floor today to commend russ w. meyer jr. for his induction into the national aviation hall of fame n april,

4:03:40 to 4:04:00( Edit History Discussion )

Todd Tiahrt: russ joined astronauts eileen collins and the white and movie legend jimmy stewart in the last of 2009. russ has had a distinguished career both in the private and public arena. while attending harvard law school, russ served with the united states marine corps reserves from 1958 to 1961.

4:04:01 to 4:04:23( Edit History Discussion )

Todd Tiahrt: after a few years in the private practice entered the aviation industry as president and c.e.o. of grummond american aviation incorporation in cleveland, ohio. then he came to wichita, kansas. russ joined the cessna aircraft company as executive vice president in june of 1974. one year later he became the

4:04:24 to 4:04:44( Edit History Discussion )

Todd Tiahrt: chairman and c.e.o. there are few who have done more for the general aviation community than russ. he led cessna both as chairman and c.e.o. for a total of 23 years. during his time with cessna, russ led the expansion of the cessna line of business the world's most popular line of midsized jets.

4:04:45 to 4:05:07( Edit History Discussion )

Todd Tiahrt: russ meyer recognized that business jets are a tremendous productivity tool. it is productivity that has helped our economy grow. we are the number one economy in the world and it's not because we have fewer regulations. we have more. it's not because we have the lowest wages, we are among the highest. it's because of visionaries like russ meyer who gave the american people the ability to

4:05:08 to 4:05:30( Edit History Discussion )

Todd Tiahrt: do the same work in less time, making us the most productive and economy in the world. in the 1980's, general aviation industry was faced with a tremendous hurdlehat threatened to eliminate a big portion of the general aviation aircraft market. aircraft manufacturers were forced to cease production of

4:05:31 to 4:05:51( Edit History Discussion )

Todd Tiahrt: their piston powered due to liability issues that extended over the life of the aircraft. in response to this threat, russ put his leadership to work on capitol hill. he became one of the principal advocates for the general aviation revitalization act of 1994. this bill provided limited liability on general aviation

4:05:52 to 4:06:13( Edit History Discussion )

Todd Tiahrt: aircraft and revitalized the general aviation industry. but this is just one of many contributions russ has given to the industry as a whole. far beyond his leadership in the business sector, russ is also a philanthropist. one person who described russ as one who has a big heart and wants to serve the underserved. this isn't just talk.

4:06:14 to 4:06:36( Edit History Discussion )

Todd Tiahrt: russ was the chairman of a campaign to construct a 42,000-square foot complex for the boys and girls club of south central kansas. he led the fundraising effort and raised over $9 million for the project. russ was also the originator of the citat airlift where hundreds of

4:06:37 to 4:06:57( Edit History Discussion )

Todd Tiahrt: owners from around the country transported athletes to the special olympic games. he's also a misdemeanor of the kansas aviation hall of fame a. wright brothers trophy holder, served on three presidential commissions, and the list goes on. like many others, i have known russ to be a man of vision and action. whenever russ takes on a project, he has the ability to

4:06:58 to 4:07:19( Edit History Discussion )

Todd Tiahrt: rally and inspire everyone around him behind a common goal. every community wants a russ meyer, every community needs a russ meyer. the children of south central kansas needed him and russ deliv the aircraft industry need him and russ delivered. he's the big reason why wichita is known as the air capital of the world. once again i am pleased today

4:07:20 to 4:07:25( Edit History Discussion )

Todd Tiahrt: that the united states house of representatives will congratulate and commend russ