Sarah Keegan
(Phone: 202/358-1902)                 Nov. 20, 2001
Headquarters, Washington

RELEASE: 01-227

U.S. CENTENNIAL OF FLIGHT COMMISSION 
AND FIRST FLIGHT CENTENNIAL COMMISSION ALIGN EFFORTS

     The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission (COFC) and the 
First Flight Centennial Commission (FFCC) of North Carolina 
have signed a memorandum of agreement that will allow them to 
jointly promote the celebration of the 100th anniversary of 
the first powered flight in 2003.  

As a result of this agreement, North Carolina activities will 
receive the U.S. Commission's national outreach support. In 
turn, the FFCC will help promote the overall national 
celebration called "Centennial of Flight: Born of dreams. 
Inspired by freedom."

The FFCC was created by the state of North Carolina to 
develop activities that commemorate the centennial 
celebration and the historical events within the state 
related to the first flight. The group is currently planning 
a wide range of centennial activities across the state.  

"The FFCC's fundamental task is to remind the world what a 
magnificent achievement the first flight was, to help us all 
understand what flight has meant to the world and to 
commemorate that achievement in North Carolina, the United 
States and throughout the world," said Kathryn Holten, 
executive director of the FFCC. "We will do this through 
events, educational activities and partnerships with other 
organizations promoting flight.  Working with the U.S. 
Centennial of Flight Commission is a wonderful opportunity to 
help us carry out our mission."

Congress created the U.S. Centennial Commission to help 
coordinate centennial activities across the nation, and to 
advise the President, Congress and federal agencies on ways 
to encourage and promote national and international 
participation in the centennial celebration. 

"We are pleased to be working with the First Flight 
Centennial Commission," said COFC Chairman General J.R. 
("Jack") Dailey. "North Carolina played an instrumental role 
in the Wright brothers' first flight. The FFCC's involvement 
with the centennial celebration will be an important part of 
the overall celebration because of the historical 
significance of its location." 

The organizations will work together to promote centennial 
activities and the milestones of flight through a variety of 
channels, including their respective Web sites, printed 
materials and the COFC main calendar of events. The FFCC and 
the COFC will encourage a wide variety of celebratory and 
educational events throughout North Carolina and the country. 

A complete listing of centennial events is available on the 
COFC's Web page at: 
www.centennialofflight.gov

Information about the FFCC and its programs can be found at:
www.firstflightnc.com

More information is also available from Christian Markow, 
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission, at 804/675-8153 and 
Kathryn Holten, First Flight Centennial Commission, at 
919/733-2003.

                       -end-