Comments by Rep. Gordon: Honoring the Aviation Feats of Robert Hoot Gibson

HONORING THE AVIATION FEATS OF ROBERT “HOOT” GIBSON — (Extensions of Remarks – June 07, 2005)

SPEECH OFHON. BART GORDON OF TENNESSEE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2005

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Robert “Hoot” Gibson, a resident of my hometown of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, who recently broke two aviation speed records.

Hoot flew a Raytheon Premier I jet into the record books on September 22, 2004, when he flew from Seattle, Washington, to Las Vegas, Nevada, at 499.65 miles per hour and from Las Vegas to Wichita, Kansas, at 540.53 miles per hour. The previous records were set in a Cessna Citation jet in 1991.

Hoot is a former astronaut who made 5 Space Shuttle flights and commanded 4 of them. A retired Navy captain, he now flies commercial jetliners for Southwest Airlines.

Hoot’s accomplishments in the aviation arena are exceptional, as well as inspirational.

Once again, I congratulate him for an outstanding military career and for his contributions to this Nation’s space program.