As the founder of the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association (NASFLHA), Allan McElhiney's efforts caught the attention of US Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, who in Oct. 18, 2005 sponsored a bill in Congress (H. Resolution 500) honoring the 60th anniversary of Flight 19. Rep. Clay Shaw, member of the Ways and Means Committee was the author of the resolution.
November 16, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE
Mr. Shaw: Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The Speaker pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair’s prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. General Leave. Mr. Shaw: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of the resolution under consideration. The Speaker pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Florida? There was no objection. RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE 5 NAVAL AVENGER TORPEDO BOMBERS OF FLIGHT 19 The Clerk read as follows: H. RES. 500 Whereas on December 5, 1945, the 5 Avenger torpedo bombers of Flight 19, originating at the Naval Air Station of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and its crew of 14 Navy airmen, disappeared; Whereas the Mariner rescue aircraft sent to search for Flight 19, originating at the Naval Air Station of Banana River, Florida, and its crew of 13 Navy airmen, also disappeared on that date; Whereas December 5, 2005, marks the 60th anniversary of the disappearance of Flight 19; Whereas the loss of Flight 19 occurred during peacetime; Whereas the disappearance of Flight 19 sparked one of the largest air and sea rescue searches in history covering over 200,000 square miles; | Whereas all investigations of the disappearance of Flight 19 have failed to recover any aircraft, debris, or remains; Whereas there remain unanswered questions concerning the disappearance of Flight 19; and Whereas there are continuing efforts with the latest technology to determine the location of the lost aircraft and crews: Now, therefore be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives: (1) recognizes 60th anniversary of the disappearance of 5 naval Avenger torpedo bombers of Flight 19 and the naval Mariner rescue aircraft sent to search for Flight 19. (2) honors the memory of the 27 Navy airmen lost in these disappearances. (3) recognizes the historical significance of Flight 19. (4) acknowledges continuing efforts to determine what caused these disappearances. And (5) commends the Naval Historical Center for preserving the history of Flight 19. You can download the complete H. Resolution 500 proposition file:
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