Reps. Gleason, Minore, Zelenko, Dennis, Tobocman, Bieda, Brandenburg, Condino, Farrah, Koetje, Middaugh, Richardville, Sak, Spade, Voorhees, Waters, Cheeks, Emmons, Hager, Hopgood, Kolb, Law, Murphy, O'Neil, Stahl, Wojno, Adamini, Anderson, Brown, Caul, Daniels, DeRossett, Elkins, Farhat, Gieleghem, Gillard, Jamnick, Julian, Lipsey, Paletko, Reeves, Rivet, Sheltrown, Shulman, Steil and Woodward offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 118.

            A resolution honoring the P-51 Mustang Pilots Association and recognizing the North American P-51 Mustang fighter and the accomplishments they made during World War II and the Korean War.

            Whereas, It is a great pleasure to join with the membership of the P-51 Mustang Pilots Association as they gather at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo from August 20-25, 2003, to celebrate and remember the great accomplishments of the association and the P-51 Mustang fighter in helping to win World War II and the Korean War; and

            Whereas, The North American P-51 Mustang and the men who flew them found their niche in the European air war of World War II as the first successful long-range strategic fighter capable of escorting B-17 and B-24 bombers from bases in Great Britain and Italy to targets in Japan.  The effectiveness of the Mustang and the men who flew them was shown on January 11, 1944, when a force of newly introduced P-51 Mustangs protected 220 American bombers, striking at critical targets in Germany without loss, while shooting down 15 enemy aircrafts.  Their first big air battle in Europe was a success; and

            Whereas, After World War II, the Mustang served in no less than 55 air forces worldwide, and although it was the supersonic jet age by then, small numbers were even produced in 1967 for various military purposes – further proof of what an excellent aircraft it was; and

            Whereas, The P-51 Mustang Pilots Association has over 800 members, most of whom flew the P-51 during World War II or the Korean War.  Notably, the P-51 Mustang was the aircraft flown by the Tuskegee Airmen, several of whom are members of the association.  Other notables who flew the P-51 Mustang were retired U.S. Air Force General Robert L. Scott and pilot and ace Chuck Yeager; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body honor and recognize the many accomplishments of the P-51 Mustang Pilots Association and the North American P-51 Mustang fighter; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the P-51 Mustang Pilots Association as a token of our esteem.