Sarah Keegan
Headquarters, Washington, DC                  July 17, 2001
(Phone: 202/358-1902)

RELEASE: 01-144

CENTENNIAL OF FLIGHT COMMISSION SELECTS FIRM FOR OUTREACH 
SUPPORT

     The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission has selected 
Carter Ryley Thomas Public Relations and Marketing Counsel 
(CRT) of Richmond, VA, to support the Commission in 
encouraging and promoting national and international 
commemoration of the centennial of powered flight. CRT will 
develop and implement a detailed and wide-ranging plan to 
increase awareness of centennial events and the centennial 
itself, which will occur on December 17, 2003.

"We were impressed by CRT's thorough understanding of our 
goals for this anniversary celebration," said Sherry Foster, 
executive director of the U.S. Centennial of Flight 
Commission. "Their research, their ideas and their 
presentation really showed the passion and strengths of CRT."

"This is a wonderful opportunity," said CRT President Mark 
Raper. "We will be helping share this compelling story of 
innovation while capturing imaginations and inspiring future 
inventors. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the 
Commission on a project of such magnitude."  

CRT's outreach plan will focus particularly on reaching 
school children in all 50 states and serve as a resource for 
organizations promoting the centennial. Work on the three-
year contract, which was awarded to CRT on June 20, began 
July 1. 

The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission was set up by 
Congress to provide recommendations and advice to the 
President, Congress and Federal agencies on the most 
effective ways to encourage and promote national and 
international commemoration of the centennial of powered 
flight. Its six members represent the First Flight Centennial 
Foundation of North Carolina; Inventing Flight: Dayton 2003 
of Ohio; aeronautical societies, foundations and 
organizations outside of Ohio and North Carolina, represented 
by the President of the Experimental Aircraft Association; 
the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum; 
the Federal Aviation Administration; and the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration.

More information on the Commission and the centennial can be 
found on the Internet at:
               www.centennialofflight.gov

CRT, which also has offices in Los Angeles; Norfolk and 
Roanoke, VA; and Charleston, SC, is Virginia's largest public 
relations firm and ranks 31st  among the largest independent 
agencies in the nation. More information is available at:
                     www.crtpr.com
                          -end-