[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE BOEING COMPANY'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY ON JULY 15, 2016

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MATT SALMON

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Mr. SALMON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to pay tribute to a highly 
respected American company: The Boeing Company. This July marks 100 
years since William E. Boeing founded the business after he turned a 
small building he bought in Lake Union, Washington into a combined 
factory and seaplane hangar. In its centennial year, Boeing continues 
to prosper as the world's largest aerospace company and the largest 
manufacturing exporter in the United States. Today I wish to 
congratulate the company on its 100th anniversary.
  Most people know Boeing for its long tradition in aerospace 
initiative and innovation, but behind its reputation is a corporation 
fueled by a legendary American entrepreneur and engineer: William E. 
Boeing.
  William E. Boeing experienced many setbacks before becoming 
successful. In fact, when Boeing was only 22 years old, he dropped out 
of Yale. Even though it was risky, he moved to Washington to start in 
the logging business on land that he had inherited. Although Boeing 
started to buy more timberland and gain more wealth for his family, he 
was never cut out for the meticulous, reserved life of a logger.
  As he continued his logging business, he decided to attend an 
aviation meet in Los Angeles in 1910. At the meet, he became enthralled 
with airplanes and tried to get a ride on one of the boxy airplanes, 
but had no success. In 1914, flier Terah Maroney brought a Curtiss-type 
hydroplane with him when he visited Boeing and his friend, U.S. Navy 
Lieutenant G. Conrad Westervelt. The pair took turns riding with 
Maroney above Lake Washington and after a few turns, the two realized 
that they could build a better airplane.
  On July 15, 1916, William Boeing incorporated the Pacific Aero 
Products Company and just four months later, Boeing and Westervelt had 
the first test flight of their first plane. The seaplane/biplane was 
the Bluebill, B&W Model 1. The plane flew 900 feet, marking the 
beginning of the largest aerospace company in the world. One year 
later, the company was renamed Boeing Airplane Company.
  Boeing helped America get through the hard times. During the Great 
Depression, the company and other airlines formed the United Airlines 
to provide continent-wide U.S. air service. In World War II, Boeing 
provided planes that helped the Allies defeat the Axis power. Today, 
they help America through yet another battle: the War on Terror.
  To fight the War on Terror, Boeing supplies us with a number of tools 
for our defense. One of these great tools is the AH-64 Apache 
Helicopter. Entering service with the United States Army in 1984, the 
AH-64 Apache Helicopter is the primary multirole combat helicopter for 
the U.S. Army and for a growing number of our allies' defense forces. 
The Apache was built to fight our enemies during the day or night in 
adverse weather conditions and challenging battlefields.
  These helicopters have been used in Operation Desert Storm, Operation 
Anaconda, and continue to be used for peacekeeping operations in order 
to fight terrorism around the world. I am honored that Boeing uses its 
plant in Mesa, Arizona, to produce these revolutionary fighting 
helicopters for America's defense.
  The company has had a tremendous impact both nationally and globally, 
and this impact is seen in Arizona. In my state, the Boeing Company 
works with 387 businesses and supports 46,000 employees with 3,851 of 
those being direct employees. Boeing has also given millions in 
charitable contributions to our state and has created jobs and economic 
opportunity while working to create the world's most advanced and 
innovative aerospace products and services.
  Today, the Boeing Company continues its success under the leadership 
of Chairman, President, and CEO Dennis A. Muilenburg. Passion and 
competence hold this venerable company together, while innovation 
drives it further. As the company celebrates its centennial year, the 
passion and spirit of William E. Boeing lives on as Boeing continues 
its long tradition of leadership and innovation in aerospace. May it 
have one hundred more.

                          ____________________