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.