HRES 661
Whereas Barrington Irving was born in 1983 in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in inner-city Miami, Florida;
Whereas Irving discovered his passion for aviation at the age of 15 when Captain Gary Robinson, a Jamaican airline pilot who has since served as his mentor, took him to tour the cockpit of a Boeing 777;
Whereas Irving overcame financial hardship to pursue his dream to become a pilot by working miscellaneous jobs and working for private aircraft owners in exchange for flying lessons;
Whereas Irving was the recipient of a joint Air Force/Florida Memorial University Flight Awareness Scholarship to cover college tuition and flying lessons for his tireless volunteer efforts and commitment to community service;
Whereas in 2003, Irving contacted companies including aircraft manufacturer Columbia, which agreed to provide him with a plane to fly around the world if he could secure donations and components;
Whereas over several years, Irving visited aviation trade shows throughout the country and secured more than $300,000 of cash and donated components including the engine, tires, cockpit systems, and seats for a Columbia 400, one of the world's fastest single-engine piston airplanes;
Whereas in the process of pursuing his dream of an around the world flight, Irving founded a nonprofit organization in 2005 to address the significant shortage of youth pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace;
Whereas Irving's efforts have garnered widespread community support and sponsorship as an effective model to expose young people and underrepresented groups to opportunities in aviation;
Whereas on March 23, 2007, Irving embarked from Miami, Florida, on a 24,600-mile flight around the world in an airplane named `Inspiration' at 23-years of age while still a senior majoring in aerospace at Florida Memorial University;
Whereas on June 27, 2007, Irving concluded his flight in Miami, Florida, after stopping in 27 cities throughout the world; and
Whereas Irving continues to inspire youth and adults alike with his achievements and work to increase the accessibility of opportunities in aviation and aerospace: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House
(1) honors the accomplishments of Barrington Irving, the youngest pilot and first person of African descent ever to fly solo around the world and founder of a nonprofit organization that inspires youth to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace;
(2) encourages young people and minorities to pursue educational opportunities in preparation for careers in aviation and related industries; and
(3) encourages museums throughout the Nation related to aviation to commemorate the historic achievements of Captain Barrington Irving.





