Reliability, value, and choice. Now, more than ever, it all starts with great internet. Wow. Wow, along with these Television Companies support cspan two as a public service. Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable nancy pelosi, speaker of the house of representatives. [applause] [applause] good morning, everyone. It is my privilege to welcome you to the statutory hall as we celebrate an american who personifies the daring and determined spirit of our nation, a millionaire hard. On behalf of the congress, thank you all. To the leaders who fought so relentlessly for nearly a quarter of a century to ensure that amelia takes her rightful place here in the capital. Now, at this, time please stand as youre able, for the presentation of the colors and the natural anthem. [inaudible] ladies and gentlemen please remain side dane for the United States senator. First reading from the apostle paul to the young timothy. For god is given us a spirit of fear, or timidity, but a power, love, and self discipline. Will you pray with me . Almighty god, thank you for the privilege to gather here at our nations capital, and to recognize that you are the god of our founders, that you have less this nation with not just many natural resources, but also a special people. Today we honor one of those, when it kansass finest, a millionaire heart. This is a great example of you god, using someone that no one of the time wouldve expected to change the world. Do not only inspire generations of women, that all people everywhere got, i won especially stop and thank you for the community of kansas, who is persevered for almost 20 years to make this dream become a reality. Now, god, please let this neighborhood and let the Pioneering Spirit of pioneering amelia to inspire all of us presenters to come. In jesuss name, a man. Please be seated. Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable nancy pelosi. Speaker than United States house of representatives. Now is my special honor to invite our Program Participants to join in the unveiling of this glorious statue. Some of you will have been here, or years past, when we say this unveiling till the end. We want you all to see at, since its so wonderful to see so many people gather together once again members of the kansas delegation, both in the house, and senate, including, let me say, first governor kelly, and congresswoman sharice davis, congressman stacey mann, congress and congressman ron stds, senator jerry moran, senator roger marshall, catherine c karen c berg, and shock for joe, from the american earhart foundation. Leaders mccarthy and mcconnell. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the honorable kelly, governor of kansas good morning everyone. I am so delighted to be here, honored. At asha to the stars through difficulty. That is the kansas state motto. A recognition that kansas came into the union as a free states, where there was fierce opposition. The spirit of kansans propelled them to beat the odds, and accomplish much. Who better to represent our great states, and statuary hall, then dwight d. Eisenhower. Now, a native daughter of kansas, a millionaire heart. I want to extend my gratitude to our congressional leaders, and our kansas delegation for the opportunity to honor one of kansans most iconic figures. A woman who showed all of us what it means to reach for the stars. Amelia earhart was born and raised in acheson kansas, a small town overlooking missouri river. From an early, age amelia was a dreamer. Her dreams went far beyond the banks of that river, and far beyond the prescribe gender roles of her time. Kansans have long celebrated our women trailblazers. Like susan assault, are the first woman elected mayor in the United States in 1887, long before women had the right to vote. Like georgia lease gray, who during the truman administration, became the first woman to serve as the United States treasurer. And lucinda todd, who actually lived the flame that resulted in the 1954 decision, brown versus board of education, a ruling that change the world as we know it. So it is fitting today, were dedicated a statue in honor of one of the most notable of a pioneering women. Let it be an inspiration for all. Particularly our young girls. For generations to come. And what theyre stare up at this work of art and think that they, like amelia, can dream the impossible dream. That they can beat the unbeatable foe. They will run where the brave dare not go. They will have the power to write the unreadable wrong. They will reach their unreachable star. Again, on behalf of the state of kansas, i want to express my deepest appreciation for this immortalize aysha and have an extraordinary individual, who truly represents the best of the kansas spirit. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the honorable shimmies david. Cnet estates representative in the Third District of kansas. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, everyone. For folks who i have not had the chance to meet yet, im sure is davids. I have the honor of represented the kansas Third District here in congress. I also served as the vice chair of the house a transportation and infrastructure committee. I sit on the aviation subcommittee. First, i want to join our governor and saying thank you to everyone. Governor kelly, thank you for coming out here to our honor guard from the Kansas International guard for coming out here and presenting the colors for the acheson Amelia Earhart foundation. Senator roberts, there are so many people who i know have worked really hard on this, so thank you also much. When i got to congress, one of the first questions that i team asked was, how can we help make this a reality, and actually senator roberts was one of the folks who helped us figure out how we could be helpful. I know folks have been working on this for at least 20 years. Amelia earhart has landed in washington d. C. [applause] it has been 90 years since Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. While that might be what she is best known for, she was also a military nurse, a social worker, and author, a wife, an activist for gender equality, and a woman who really was breaking the Glass Ceiling on a field that was dominated by men at the time. You know, female pilots used to be called lady birds, sweet hearts of the air, and because of a millionaire heart, back then, now, and into the future, women could fly planes are now called pilots. So, Amelia Earhart had that rare gift of the ability to see, without limitation, what a Better Future for herself, and for others could look like. Throughout her life, she turned setbacks and failures into challenges. A challenge to do better, a challenge to fly, hire a, to change the way the game is played. I know tens of thousands of people come through this very spot every year, and now, im really excited that so many people are going to get the chance to be inspired by a millionaire heart, as i have been. She is a true, kansas hero. An icon. I appreciate all the work that went into making sure that we were able to have this unveiling today. Thank you to the air hard family. Thank you to so many of you who made the state possible. It is really an honor to continue kansass legacy of aviation. That is a legacy that is filled with a millionaire heart spirit, her tenacity, her greg, her courage. Thank you also much. I hope you enjoy the rest of the ceremony today. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the honorable United States senator for kansas. Three years after kansas became states, statuary hall, where we are today, was established in 1864, and each state was granted to statutes of citizens who were, quote, illustrious for their historic renown, or for distinguished civic or military service, as each state made seem worthy of this natural commemoration. Over in the rotunda, stands won bronze statue of the canton, dwight d. Eisenhower. General and former president of the United States. For more than a century, standing in this location, has been a kansas statesman john angles, probably representing our state as our second statute. Today we have a new cans and to represent our state in the u. S. Capital. Someone recognized for her historic renown as an aviator. Also someone who broke barriers, created opportunities for others, in captivated the attention of the world with her adventuresome spirit. Kansas Amelia Earhart. With dwight d. Eisenhower, and now Amelia Earhart, kansas officially has two of the most iconic and recognizable american heroes, representing any states and the United States capitol. I think just a few people in the room who made this happen. Jackie, predawn, karen seabird, and read burger with the acheson a millionaire heart foundation. Thank you for never giving up. [applause] thank you for never giving, perhaps amelia was your role model. Amelias ambition and spirit of adventure, the truck around the world, was built on a foundational upbringing and acheson. It is fitting today that the foundation on which the stances from limestone, from the flint hills of kansas. Between two and 3 Million People from around the world will visit the u. S. Capitol every year, and its our hope that with the statue of a millionaire heart, it will encourage other girls and boys from small towns across the country, to dream, dream bag, and work hard to achieve those dreams. As with as you can travel to the u. S. Capital, they can visit the Amelia EarhartHangar Museum in acheson. This is where a replica of the statue will be on display. A statue of a determined young woman was short cut hair, a curious mile, a bomber hat in hand, and a sunflower on her belt buckle. Amelia earharts first flight across the atlantic, she was a passenger. She clearly lamented that, that she was a passenger. When she landed, she was asked about the flights, her response was, there is more to life than just being a passenger. Greatest comes through action, our countrys greatest achievements, and those around the, world are dependent on those who are more than just a passenger. Who cast aside the fears of failure, and push to expand boundaries of what they thought was impossible. From the wright brothers, familiar hard, from alan shepard, two it is true in the history of light, and its true in the history of the United States of america. It is no less true today than lives of every american. Dream and accomplished. The ordinary becomes extraordinary through action. As editorialized today in the acheson globe, earhart was a dreamer who refused to conform to the roles assigned to women, and instead, blazed her own trail, and we are reminded today, here in statuary hall, god created each of us. Each of us, to be more than just a passenger. Thank you. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, stephen gray writes, accompanied by [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the honorable kenny mccarthy, republican leader of the United States house of representatives. [applause] what a beautiful song, thank you for that. You know, on may 20th, 1932, Amelia Earhart took off for canada for europe. Determined to conquer the Atlantic Ocean by, air and show the world which he could do. 15 hours, one engine fire, some storms, and a lead the gauge later, she landed safely in ireland. Weve been into the history books as the first woman to defy solo across the atlantic. She was a pilot, journalist, and a nurse. Earhart won the hearts of American People, with her daring adventures. Her exploits, encourage the development of commercial aviation. Send many aviation records, and pave the way for women to take to the skies. Earhart was more than a flyer and trailblazers. She was a inspires us. Her legacy encourages us to pursue our dreams and shoot for the stars. And im proud to say that america fans are still exploring new frontiers. I believe the familiar heart was alive today. She would not be just in the sky. Shed probably be up in space. Maybe from mojave or maybe from florida. Or maybe leading space. You know, we get thousands of visitors in this capital every year. This is always my favorite place to go. And i look and i watch just as yesterday, people taking pictures. Its usually grandparents or parents with their grandchildren and they take them by different statues. I look forward to looking over to this corner. Im sure well watch a lot of young women taking a picture. And i wonder what new frontiers will be inspired by Amelia Earhart and whats more boundary is will be broken and what new balance will come out of the world from a Little Corner in a capital of her dreams, still living. And boundaries unfold of what could be broken. I want to thank kansas for never giving up. And i want to thank kansas for continuing the aviation theyve been known to have with the beautiful statue honoring an amazing woman and amazing american that can use to inspire us. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable mitch mcconnell, republican leader of the United States senate. 90 years ago, this coming friday, the first civilian ever. And the first woman ever was presented with the distinguish flying cross. A history making moment. But of course, by the Time Congress authorized that medal for Amelia Earhart in 1932, she had already made history many times over. Shed taken on altitude records and smashed them speed records. She shattered them among a long list of female firsts. She had become the first woman to fly solo across the atlantic. About a year after that medal ceremony, shed be helping to stand up a new daily commercial airline as an executive. Both literally and figuratively, like Amelia Earhart blazed a trail into the sky. In every sense. She occupied rarefied air, but she did not just soar over. As one person. She also focused on putting down new ladders of opportunity so that others could follow mean. Amelia earhart helped inspire and shepherd whole generations of aviators, both women and men. A friend and competitor of amelias name, ruth nichols, brought the aviation craze to my hometown of louisville, kentucky, with her own record setting flight all the way from oakland, california. Together, they were charter members and leaders of the 99, an organization that supports women in aviation. To this day, all of these heroics, all of us leadership took place thousands of feet up toward that happens. But her character was first formed in the rich heartland of kansas. Those were the routes that helped launch amelia, where the open plains framed a wide open sky. I could not imagine a more fitting american to stand honored in this place. Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable nancy pelosi, speaker of the United States house of representatives. Thank you. This is a very exciting day for all of us. Thank you is a very exciting day for each of us. Thank you to all of our speakers for your beautiful attributes and prayers. Thank you kansas for bringing honor to this capital with this beautiful gift of amelia heart statue, for presence here brings bluster to the capital, and leicester to the state of kansas. Thank you to all of you for making this possible. Its a privilege to join and celebrating this pioneering pilot, who was a source of pride with kansas, and for our entire country. How special it is to be with members of a millionaire hearts family, were those of you at the family can use stance we can recognize you. Thank you so much. How proud you must be. Its an honor for us to recognize you here. I want to acknowledge a First Army Air force major, general jeanne leverage. She is here. General, please. Another first, distinguishable also want to acknowledge that as of yesterday, Navy Lieutenant became the first woman to become a blue angel jet pilot. How appropriate. Amelia air hearts names synonymous with courage. Her bravery knew no boundaries, or soaring from coast to coast, continent to continent, island to shore. As we all, know amelia air hearts towering legacy as an aviator is to be rivaled by few. She was the first woman, and the only, the second person to fly solo cross the atlantic. And doing, so she also set new records for speed, time left between two continents. For the value she had, the congress and warded heard the flying koch cross. This is the first woman to receive this honor. For her incredible feats, reporters at the time halted the queen of the air. Not only were seen outstanding aviator, she had a strong moral compass as an outspoken champion for gender equality. Amelia envisioned aviation as a great equalizer. She fought valiantly to close the gender gap. In 1935 radio address, she offered words that continue to inspire us today. These are her words. Aviation, this young modern giants, exemplifies the possible relationship of women, and the creation of science. While still greatly outnumbered, they are finding more more opportunities for employment in the ranks of this latest transportation medium. I hope this movement spreads to all branches of science and industry, and that women can come to share with men the joys of doing. A millionaire heart. And help she founded the 99th. This remains today a powerful voice for female pilots all around the world. Courage and optimism, theyre an americas dna, that, and Amelia Earharts fearlessness inflight fits probably into this all american tradition. Now, with this majestic statue, we pay tribute to this giant, a revolutionary, not only in womens history, but in human history. Indeed, were all in awe of how she, in the words of public john collapsing mcgee junior said, she slipped the surly bonds of earth, talk the, windswept the heights, and touch the face of god. Touch the face of god. As we gather here with so many visitors from kansas, governor, thank you, and members of congress, and friends, remember, many of us were together in this capital, as we said goodbye to bob dole. It cant think of kansas without mentioning his name. Majority leader, dole. Many of us were together, had Arlington National cemetery samantha after that. How proud he would be. How proud he would be. I feel that he is with us. And as saunders had mentioned, as girls and boys come to the capital and see, amelia, they walls at their sights higher knowing that they can reach with this guy. And when they see this statue, looks here at the capitol, they will hear the sound of wasnt that beautiful . The song that they saying, thank you. Thank you everyone for coming today to celebrate the legendary a millionaire heart. Now im sure mc you who want your pictures taken with her today its a cause for celebration thank you all for making it south. And you so much. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the benediction by the honorable United States representative from the state of kansas. Good morning. So pleased to be with you all in this wonderful day, grateful for all the hard work that so many of you put into making the state have been would you please join me in prayer. Are merciful and gracious god, we pray that your benediction over this tribute to Amelia Earhart, as we remember celebrated to american pioneer, the daughter of kansas. We recount amelias historic career, and remind ourselves of her fearless, and courageous actions, the change the course of aviation america. We honor amelia for showing women across the globe that no goal is out of reach, and that anything is possible. Holy god, we stand here today, reaching the benefits of americas steadfast efforts we pray that the statue of amelia brings joy in inspiration to all in these hallowed halls. We ask for your blessing over the acheson America Naylor earhart nation, they are her family, and everyone who continues to carry on her everlasting legacy. We pray than amelias determination to achieve new heights is ingrained in our everyday lives, as we strive to represent the American People in congress. Blew through his guard, leave this bubble tribute today. Today, and forevermore amen. 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