Volume 67 · 34
Public Law 83–32
To provide for proper participation by the United States Government in a national celebration of the fiftieth anniversary year of controlled powered flight occurring during the year from December 17, 1952, to December 17, 1953.
Approved May 22, 1953
Statutory text
JOINT RESOLUTION
To provide for proper participation by the United States Government in a national celebration of the fiftieth anniversary year of controlled powered flight occurring during the year from December 17, 1952, to December 17, 1953.
Whereas two Americans, Orville and Wilbur Wright, of Dayton, Ohio, made the world’s first successful controlled powered flight in a heavier-than-air craft at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903; and
Whereas American inventiveness and competitive enterprise during the half-century since December 17, 1903, has developed the airplane into one of mankind’s most powerful economic tools, into a social force which has recast the earth, into the most decisive element in the armor of the free world; and
Whereas the epochal contribution of the Wright Brothers is an historical milestone in world aviation leadership; and
Whereas the National Committee To Observe the Fiftieth Anniversary of Powered Flight desires and the President of the United States has directed the Federal Government to participate in a broad program of commemorative activities; and
Whereas it is the judgment of the Congress that a proper coordination of Government participation in this anniversary be achieved: Therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the period from December
50th anniversary of powered flight.
17, 1952, to December 17, 1953, be, and it is hereby, declared the fiftieth anniversary year of controlled powered flight.
The President of the Senate shall appoint six Members and the
Joint Committee on Observance.
Speaker of the House shall appoint six Members to compose a Joint Committee on Observance of the Fiftieth Anniversary Year of Controlled Powered Flight, and may appoint additional Members of their respective Houses, from time to time, to represent the Congress at principal national events during the fiftieth anniversary year of controlled flight.
When requested thereto by the joint committee appointed pursuant to this resolution, the Secretary of Defense is authorized and directed to arrange for the cooperation of and appropriate participation by the various armed services in the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary year of controlled powered flight.
Necessary travel expenses of any Member of Congress incidental to the performance of duties and responsibilities pursuant to designation under this resolution shall be paid out of the contingent fund of the House of which such member is a Member, upon vouchers approved by the chairman elected by the joint committee created hereunder.
Approved May 22, 1953.