ladies and gentlemen, the honorable nancy pelosi, speaker of the united states house of representatives. good morning, everyone. as speaker of the house, it is my privilege to welcome you to statuary hall. as we celebrate an american who personifies the dare, ing and determined spirit of our nation. amelia earhart. 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 capitol. now, at this time, please stand as you are able for the presentation of the colors and the national anthem. of oh oh. oh. oh say time you divided on your life. it was so. maybe there were twilight's last gleaming. whose stripes and rise was through all the power of spite or the we've all all colored on telly streaming and the rocky o the bombs bursting within get free thrills on all and all for love was still there who said, cause all stars spangled banner god then what the land of the free and the home of all bread never. ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the invocation delivered by the honorable roger marshall, united states senator from kansas. first, a scripture reading from the apostle paul to a young timothy for god has not 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 nation's capital. and to first recognize that you are the god of our founders, that you have blessed this nation with not just many natural resources, but also with special people to today we honor one of those, one of kansas finest, amelia earhart. amelia was a great example of you, god, using someone that no one at the time would have expected to change the world, to not only inspired generations of women, but all people everywhere. and god, i want to especially stop and thank you for the community of atchison, kansas, who has persevered for over 20 years to make this dream become a reality. and now god made this ceremony honor you and made this statue and the pioneering spirit and courage of amelia to inspire all peoples for centuries to come. in jesus name, amen. please be seated. ladies and gentlemen, the honorable nancy pelosi, speaker of the united states house of representatives. now it is my special honor to invite our program participants to join in the unveiling of this glorious statue. some of you may have been here in years past where we say this unveiling until the end. we want you all to see it since it's so wonderful to see so many people gathered together once again. members of the kansas delegation, both in the house and senate, including, well, let me say first, governor laura kelly and then congresswoman and sharice davids, congressman tracy men, congressman jake la turner, congressman and ron estes, senator jerry moran, senator roger marshall, katherine see karen seaburg and joc president from the american earhart foundation leaders mccarthy and mcconnell. ladies and gentlemen, the honorable laura kelly, governor of kansas. good morning, everybody. i am so delighted to be here and honored at astra for aspira to the stars through difficulty. that is the kansas state motto, a recognition that kansas came into the union as a free state when there was fierce opposition that the spirit of kansans propelled them to beat the odds and accomplish much. who better to represent our great state in statuary hall than dwight d hayes and our and now a native daughter of kansas, amelia earhart. 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 atchison, kansas. a small town overlook in the missouri river from a very early age. amelia was a dreamer. her dreams went far beyond the banks of that river and far beyond the prescribed gender roles of her time. kansans have long celebrated our women, trailblazers, blazers like susanna salter, the first woman elected mayor in the united states in 1887, long before women had the right to vote. like george and his great who during the truman administered nation became the first woman to serve as united states treasurer. and lucinda todd, who actually lit the flame that resulted in the 1954 decision. brown versus board of education, a ruling that changed the world. as we know it. so it is fitting today we're dedicating a statue in honor of one of the most notable of our pioneering women. let it be an inspiration for all, particularly our young girls. for generations to come. let them 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. that they will run. where the brave dare not go. that they will have the power to write the unreadable wrong, and that they will reach their unreachable star again on behalf of the state of kansas. i want to express my deepest appreciation for this amortization of an extra ordinary individual who truly represents the best of the kansas spirit. ladies and gentlemen, the honourable sharice davids united states representative from the third district of kansas. good afternoon. i don't know. good afternoon, everybody. well, for folks who i have not had the chance to meet yet, i'm sharice davids and i have the honor of representing the kansas third district here in congress. i also serve as the vice chair of the house transportation and infrastructure committee, and i sit on the aviation subcommittee. i first want to join our governor in saying thank you to everybody. governor kelly, thank you for coming out here to our honor guard from the kansas air national guard for coming out here and presenting the colors for the atchison amelia earhart foundation. senator roberts, there's so many people here that i know have worked really, really hard on this. so thank you all so much. you know, when i got to congress, one of the first questions that our team asked was, how can we help make this a reality? and actually, senator roberts was one of the folks who helped helped us figure out how we could be helpful. and i know folks have been working on this for at least 20 years. and amelia earhart has landed in washington, d.c. and it's. it it has been 90 years since amelia earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the atlantic ocean. and while that might be what she is best known for, she was also a military nurse, a social worker, an 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 ladybirds sweethearts of the air. and because of amelia earhart. back then, now and into the future, women who fly planes are now called pilots. so, you know, amelia earhart had that that rare gift of the ability to see without limitation and what a better future for herself and for others could look like. and throughout her life, she turned to setbacks and failures and into challenges, a challenge to do better, a challenge to fly higher, to to change the way the game is played and i know tens of thousands of people come through this this very spot every year. and now i'm really excited that so many people are going to get the chance to be inspired by amelia earhart. as i have been, she is a true kansas hero, an icon. and i appreciate all the work that went into making sure that that that we were able to have this unveiling today. thank you. to the airport family. thank you to so many of you who made this day possible. it is really an honor to continue kansas legacy of aviation and that is a legacy that is filled with amelia earhart's spirit and her tenacity, her grit and her courage. thank you all so much. i hope you enjoy the rest of the ceremony today. ladies and gentlemen, the honorable jerry moran. united states dinner from kansas. three years after kansas became a state, statuary hall, where we are today was established in 1864 and each state was granted two statutes of citizens who were, quote, illustrious for their historic renown or for for distinguished civic or military service. as each state may deem worthy of this national commemoration. over in the rotunda stands one bronze statue of the kansan dwight the eisenhower general and former president of the united states. and for more than a century, standing in this location has been a kansas statement statesman. john ingalls, who proudly represented our state as our second statue today, we have a new kansan to represent our state in the u.s. capitol. someone recognized for her historic renown as an aviator, but also someone who broke barriers, created opportunities for others, and captivated the attention of the world with her adventuresome spirit. kansas amelia earhart. with dwight eisenhower and now amelia earhart. kansas officially has two of the most iconic and recognizable american and heroes representing any state in the united states capitol. i thank just a few people in the room who made this happen. jackie pridgen and karen sieberg and reid berger with the atchison and amelia earhart foundation. thank you for never giving up. thank you for never giving up. perhaps amelia was your role model. amelia's ambition and spirit of adventure that took her around the world was built on a foundational upbringing in atchison. 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. capital every year. and it's our hope that with this statue of amelia earhart, it will encourage other girls and boys from small towns across the country to dream to dream big and to work hard, to achieve those dreams. as for those who can't travel to the u.s. capitol, they can visit the amelia earhart hangar museum in atchison, 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 earhart's 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 and her response was, there's more to life than just being a passenger. greatness comes through action. our country's greatest achievements and those around the world have depended upon those who were more than just a passenger who cast aside the fears of failure and pushed to expand boundaries of what they thought was then possible. from the wright brothers to amelia earhart, from alan shepard to sally ride, it is true in the history of flight, and it's true in the history of the united states of america. and it's no less true today in the lives of every american dream and accomplish the ordinary becomes extraordinary through action. as editorialized today in the atchison globe, earhart was a dreamer who refused to conform to the roles assigned to women, 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. ladies and gentlemen. susan graham white accompanied by john carroll, erin murphy snedeker and andre vico. you learn to fly a plane. in 1921 when sky worden meant a new frontier. innovations tie was young. her parents said, what can we do if they could not deny that any you woman who was not afraid to fly. in 1932, she put her flying to the terms of a transatlantic flight. those days was hazardous with the lucky limbs he had his brain of legend in the sky. and me, you also wall was not of the brain. the cry. and just this side of heaven. they didn't know the sky. no. my heart is like your father. and when the sound of wings. in june of 37. me, you made her fine. i'll fly. she tried to fly around the world to prove. woman my in search of human darling she got lost in the sea and sky. bottom was. who was not afraid to die. for me. you was who who was not afraid to fly. 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. it's 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 wasn't 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 i'm 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. she'd 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. it's usually grandparents or parents with their grandchildren and they take them by different statues. i look forward to looking over to this corner. i'm sure we'll watch a lot of young women taking a picture. and i wonder what new frontiers will be inspired by amelia earhart and what's 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 they've 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. she'd 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, she'd 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 amelia's 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. it's 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 earhart's 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. it's 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 earhart's 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 earhart's 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. they're in america's 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 women's 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 can't 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 it's quiet here in the capitol, they will hear. the sound of wings wasn't that beautiful? the song that they sang. thank you. thank you, everyone, for coming today to celebrate the legendary amelia earhart. now, i'm sure she would accommodate any of you who want your pictures taken with her today. it's 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 amelia's 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 amelia's 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.