Paying Tribute to the Students of the Aviation Youth Academy Summer Camp

PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE STUDENTS OF THE AVIATION YOUTH ACADEMY SUMMER CAMP

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Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the students and advisors of the Central Missouri State University's Aviation Youth Academy Summer Camp. On Saturday, July 29, 2006, they will celebrate their inaugural graduating class. This camp provides inner-city youth with a unique perspective on potential careers available in aviation. The youth academy has a total of 27 members in the camp, all from the Kansas City metropolitan area, of which, two are graduating this year.

The Aviation Youth Summer Camp focuses on introducing diverse, multicultural, and under-represented children to aviation, by providing hands-on knowledge and exposure to both aeronautical science and flight training. The camp fosters the personal development of leadership, character, physical health, and academic achievement. Their goal is to train the youth of today for the opportunities of tomorrow.

The Aviation Youth Academy Summer Camp is a 7-day residential camp taught by Central Missouri State University's aviation faculty and certified flight instructors. The camp fosters many practical activities with motivational speakers, team-building exercises, diversity training, and exposure to a collegiate environment and academic programs.

Camp participants strive to achieve their goals through collaboration with experts in the field of aviation, including those in the Central Missouri State University Aviation Department. Each student will leave equipped with the knowledge of what is recommended in a high school curriculum in order to study aviation at the college level.

In addition, participants obtain information about college applications, scholarships, and financial aid applications.

Saturday, July 29, 2006, marks a tremendous triumph for the program as the first two students to complete the 3-year program will graduate. Those two students are Brandon Smith, who will be a senior this year at Lee's Summit West High School, and Markhum Rucker, who will be a senior at Heart of America Charter School. They both plan to attend college, benefiting from strong parental support and a great interest in aviation.

These two graduates and the remaining participants honor the noble tradition of the Tuskegee Airmen who walked before them. It was in the skies above Europe over 50 years ago that those brave men fought for equality abroad while lacking it at home. Among those speaking during the Aviation Youth Academy's summer program included Mr. Ormer Rogers, Jr., past president of the Heart of America Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen and Harvey McCormick and Harvey Bayliss, two of the original Tuskegee Airmen.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing our congratulations to the participants of the Aviation Youth Academy Summer Camp and the faculty and staff of Central Missouri State University for dedicating their time and services to the inner-city youth of Kansas City. It is essential for members of the Aviation Youth Academy and other youth organizations to be celebrated and commended for their work. Today, the 109th Congress honors them for their achievements.

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