HR97-1007 by Representative May--Concerning celebrating the 50th Anniversary
of the United States Air Force.
WHEREAS, In 1907, the Army created an Aeronautical Division in the Office of
the Chief Signal Officer, which in 1926 became the
Army Air Corps; and
WHEREAS, On September 18, 1947, the United States Congress made the Army
Air Forces an independent entity from the U.S. Army, and renamed it the United
States Air Force, making it an equal partner with
the Army and Navy; and
WHEREAS, The United States Air Force will celebrate its 50th Anniversary of
service to the United States of America on September
18, 1997; and
WHEREAS, The United States Air Force has made enormous contributions in
preserving the freedom of people throughout the world, freedoms we enjoy as
American citizens, and, more specifically, as citizens of the great state of Colorado;
and
WHEREAS, In 1948, the United States Air Force participated in the Berlin Airlift,
also know as Operation Vittles, which saved West Berlin from a Soviet takeover;
and
WHEREAS, The United States Air Force Academy began its existence in
temporary facilities at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado, on July 1, 1955,
and established its permanent home in Colorado Springs
on August 29, 1958; and
WHEREAS, On March 13, 1958, the Air Force Ballistic Missile committee
approved the selection of Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, as the site of the first
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) base; and
WHEREAS, On February 6, 1959, the Air Force successfully launched the first
Titan I (ICBM) from Cape Canaveral, Florida, which was manufactured by Martin
Corporation in Denver and Titan IIs were later used to launch all Gemini Capsules;
and
WHEREAS, On March 18, 1959, the Joint Chiefs of Staff approved locating the
North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Combat Operations Center at
Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado; and
WHEREAS, On February 1, 1960, Strategic Air Command (SAC) Headquarters
activated the 848th Strategic Missile Squadron at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado,
SAC's first Titan Squadron; and
WHEREAS, On March 7, 1963, the Chidlaw Building in Colorado Springs was
dedicated for NORAD and Aerospace Defense Command
(ADC); and
WHEREAS, On February 6, 1967, NORAD Combat Operations Center in
Cheyenne Mountain achieved full operational capability;
and
WHEREAS, The United States Air Force has the responsibility for developing new
space projects; and
WHEREAS, On September 1, 1982, the Air Force Space Command was activated
in Colorado Springs; and
WHEREAS, On March 23, 1988, ground was broken for the National Test Facility
at Falcon Air Force Base, Colorado; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its history, the United States Air Force has maintained
readiness and has executed its missions employing the Total Force concept which
integrates Air National Guard and Reserve units with the active duty force; now,
therefore,
Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Sixty-first General
Assembly of the State of Colorado:
That we, the members of the House of Representatives, in partnership with the Air
Force Space Command Headquarters and the U.S. Air Force Academy, recognize
all active Air Force units and personnel, all Air Force Reserve units and personnel,
all Air National Guard units and personnel, all duly recognized honorable retirees of
the Army Air Corps, the historic forerunner of the United States Air Force, and
their families, all honorable retirees of the United States Air Force and their
families, and citizens of the great State of Colorado who have honorably served in
the United States Air Force for their faithful service to the people of the United
States and the state of Colorado.
Be It Further Resolved, That we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the United
States Air Force and pledge our continued support for its efforts in the years to
come.