Cspan two as a public service. Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable nancy pelosi, speaker of the United States house 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, Amelia Earheart. 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] [silence] ladies and gentlemen please remain standing for the invocation delivered by United States senator roger marshall, from kansas. 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, one of kansass finest, Amelia Earheart. Amelia is a great example of you god, using someone that no one of the time wouldve expected to change the world. To not only inspire generations of women, that all people everywhere. I want 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, amen. 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, in 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 tracey mann, congressman turner, 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] [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the honorable laura kelly, governor of kansas. Good morning everyone. I am so delighted to be here, honored. Ad astra per aspera, to the stars through difficulty. That is the kansas state motto. A recognition that kansas came into the union as a free state, 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, Amelia Earheart. 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 susanna madora salter, are the first woman elected mayor in the United States in 1887, long before women had the right to vote. Like Georgia Neese Clark 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 when they 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] [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the honorable sharice davidson. 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 sharice 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 Amelia Earheart, 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 Amelia Earheart, 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 earheart family. Thank you to so many of you who made this day 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 grit, her courage. Thank you also much. I hope you enjoy the rest of the ceremony today. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the honorable jerry moran United States senator for kansas. Three years after kansas became a state, 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 deem worthy of this natural commemoration. Over in the rotunda, stands one bronze statue of the kansan, 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 ingalls, probably representing our state as our second statue. Today we have a new statue 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. Kansass Amelia Earhart. With dwight d. Eisenhower, and now Amelia Earhart, kansas officially has two of the most iconic and recognizable american heroes, representing any state and the United States capitol. I thank just a few people in the room who made this happen. Jackie, karen seabird, and read burger with the acheson Amelia Earheart foundation. Thank you for never giving up. [applause] thank you for never giving up, perhaps amelia was your role model. Amelias ambition and spirit of adventure, that took her around the world, was built on a foundational upbringing in acheson. It is fitting today that the foundation on which she stands is 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 Amelia Earheart, it will encourage other girls and boys from small towns across the country, to dream, dream big, 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 with short cut hair, a curious smile, 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. Because when she landed, she was asked about the flight, her response was, there is more to life than just being a passenger. Greatness 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 pushed to expand boundaries of what they thought was impossible. From the wright brothers, to Amelia Earheart, from alan shepard, to sally ride 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 accomplish. 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, Susan Graham White accompanied by you. Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable kevin mccarthy, republican leader of the United States house of representatives. What a beautiful song. Thank you for that. On may 20th, 1932, Amelia Earhart took off from canada for europe, determined to conquer the Atlantic Ocean by air and show the world what she could do. 15 hours, one engine fire, some storms and a leaky fuel gauge. Later, she landed safely in ireland. Leaping into the history books as the first woman pilot defies load solo across the atlantic. She was a pilot, a journalist and a nurse. Earhart won the hearts of the American People with her daring adventures. Her exploits encouraged the development of commercial aviation set many aviation records and paved the way for women to take to the skies. But earhart was more than a flier and a trailblazer. She was a leader. She took response, ability and led decisive action. One of her greatest assets. Its been said with her humility, she always praised her peers and mentored other pilots, many of whom she inspired or through her bravery. She gave Many Americans hope at the moments they needed it. On the other hand, she certainly wasnt timid. Like all pioneers, she hungered to push the boundaries of human achievement. And she accomplished so many incredible feats because she was daring, determined and mission oriented. 85 years after she vanished, Amelia Earhart still 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 to all of our speakers for your beautiful tributes and prayers about Amelia Earhart. Thank you, kansas, for bringing honor to this capital with this beautiful gift of Amelia Earhart statue. Her presence here brings luster to the capital and luster to the state of kansas. Thank you all so much for making this possible. Its a privilege to join in celebrating this pioneering pilot who was a source of pride for kansas and for our entire country and how special it is here to be with members of Amelia Earharts family. Will those of you from the family please rise so that we can recognize you . Thank you so much. How proud you must be. Its an honor for us to welcome you here. And i want to acknowledge also a First Army Air force Major General jeannie lemon, who is here. General, please, i also. Another first, a distinguished woman in aviation. I also want to acknowledge that as of yesterday, maybe lieutenant amanda lee became the first woman to become a blue angel jet pilot. How appropriate. Right in the of. Amelia earharts name is synonymous with courage. Her bravery. She knew no boundaries or borders soaring from coast to coast, continent to continent, island to shore. As we all know, Amelia Earharts towering legacy as an aviator is to be rivaled by few. She was the first woman, as we know, and the only the second person to fly solo across the atlantic under the moon discussed. And in doing so, she also set new records for speed and time elapsed between two contour nets. For the barrier she broke. The congress awarded her the distinguished flying cross. The first woman in American History to receive this prestigious honor for her extraordinary feats. Reporter in the at the time called her the queen of the air. But not only was she announced ending aviator, but she had a strong moral compass. As an outspoken champion for gender equality. Amelia envisioned aviation as a great equalizer, and she fought valiantly to close the gender gap. In a 1935 radio address, she offered words that continued to inspire us. Today. And these are her words. Aviation. This young, modern, giant exemplifies the possible relationship of women and the creation of science. While still greatly outnumbered. They are finding more and more opportune cities for employment in the ranks of this latest transportation medium. I hope this movement will spread to all branches of science and industry and that women may come to share with men the joy of doing Amelia Earhart and to help advance this goal. She founded the 99th, which remains today a powerful voice for female pilots. All around the world. Courage and optimism. Theyre in americas dna and america. Amelia earhart fearlessness in flight puts proudly into this all american tradition from the heartland of america. Now, with this majestic, majestic statue, we pay tribute to a giant and a revolutionary, not only in womens history, but in human history, indeed all or in all of how she, in the words of poet john gillespie, maggie junior, said she slipped the surly bonds of earth, topped the wind, swept the heights and touched the face of god. Touch the face of god. As we gather here with so many visitors from kansas, governor, thank you. And our members of congress and friends remember that many of us were together in this capital as we said goodbye to bob dole. I cant think of kansas without mentioning his name. Majority leader dole and last time many of us were together, as it was at his burial at Arlington National cemetery. Some months after that, how proud he would be, how proud he would be. I feel that he is with us. And as others had mentioned, when girls and boys come to the capitol and see amelia, they will visit here and set their sights higher, knowing too, that they can reach for the sky. And when they see this statue. When its quiet here in the capitol, they will hear. The sound of wings wasnt that beautiful . The song that they sang. Thank you. Thank you, everyone, for coming today to celebrate the legendary Amelia Earhart. Now, im sure she would accommodate any of you who want your pictures taken with her today. Its a cause for celebration. Thank you all for making it so. Thank you so much. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the benediction delivered by the honorable jake la turner United States representative from the Second District of kansas. Good morning. So pleased to be with all of you on this wonderful day. And grateful for all the hard work so many of you put into making this day happen. Would you please join me in prayer . Our merciful and gracious god, we pray your benediction over this tribute to Amelia Earhart as we remember and celebrate a true american pioneer and daughter of kansas, we recount amelias historic career and remind of her fearless and courageous actions that changed the course of aviation in 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 each stand here today reaping the benefits of amelia. Steadfast efforts. We pray that this statue of amelia brings joy and inspiration to all to visit her in these hallowed halls. We ask for your blessing over the atchison Amelia Earhart foundation. The earhart family and everyone who continues to carry on her everlasting legacy. We pray that amelias determination to achieve new heights is ingrained in our everyday lives as we strive to represent the American People in congress. Bless us, god, as we leave this remarkable tribute today. Help us to take your passion with us. Fan its today and forevermore. Amen