HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2023-4646

HR 4646

ByRepresentatives Wilcox, Abbarno, Barkis, Barnard, Chambers, Chandler, Cheney, Christian, Connors, Corry, Couture, Dent, Dye, Eslick, Goehner, Graham, Griffey, Harris, Hutchins, Jacobsen, Klicker, Kretz, Low, Maycumber, McClintock, McEntire, Mosbrucker, Orcutt, Pollet, Robertson, Rude, Sandlin, Schmick, Schmidt, Steele, Stokesbary, Volz, Walsh, Waters, and Ybarra

WHEREAS, At the edge of Seattle's Sand Point Peninsula sits Magnuson Park, a recreational hub providing respite from city life. Before boasting the second largest park in Seattle, the Sand Point Peninsula hosted a naval station and played a pivotal role in the evolution of early commercial aviation; and

WHEREAS, Seattle's first municipal airfield was established on Sand Point, and inaugurated by the assembly, storage, and test flights of Bill Boeing's earliest airplanes. In addition, from 1927 to 1970 the Sand Point Naval Station oversaw the front lines of the Pacific as an air base, aviation training center, and aircraft repair depot; and

WHEREAS, Sand Point secured a legacy in aeronautics in 1924 when the airfield was chosen as the launch and landing points for the first aerial circumnavigation of the world. On April 6, 1924, four Douglas World Cruisers, the Seattle, New Orleans, Chicago, and Boston, embarked on a grueling six-month journey to complete the first Round-the-World Flight; and

WHEREAS, Two crewmen operated each pontoon equipped biplane, without radios, parachutes, life preservers, or rafts due to weight restraints. Fortunately, the biplanes were flanked by ground and sea support from the United States Navy, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fisheries; and

WHEREAS, The airmen covered 26,345 miles, touched down in 29 countries in over 76 flights, and survived five forced landings. In the end, two of the four Douglas World Cruisers completed the entire journey, landing at Sand Point on September 28, 1924, to a crowd of 50,000 enthusiastic fans; and

WHEREAS, Nearly a century later, the Friends of Magnuson Park, a group of aviation and history enthusiasts, are leading the effort in planning the centennial anniversary celebration of this often overlooked historical event; and

WHEREAS, Ken Sparks, President of Friends of Magnuson Park, recognized the first Round-the-World Flight as the "best kept secret in aviation," and decided their group should bring attention to this piece of local history; and

WHEREAS, Frank Goodell sits on the Friends of Magnuson Park Board of Directors and is a retired Brigadier General, United States Air Force. The General is a Command Pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, including more than 600 combat and combat-supported missions. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal and Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters; and

WHEREAS, Efforts to plan the Centennial Round-the-World Celebration for September 28, 2024, are underway, spearheaded by the Friends of Magnuson Park and the Museum of Flight, with additional support from Veterans Legislative Coalition Chairman Jerry Fugich, a retired United States Navy Chief Warrant Officer; and

WHEREAS, To commemorate the depth and breadth of Washington State's aeronautical history, Friends of Magnuson Park will host a multiday event leading up to September 28, 2024. Stories from pilots and crew who have made the global flight, vintage aircraft shows, and exhibits;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives recognize and honor the many contributions made to our state by the aeronautics and military community, and the Friends of Magnuson Park for bringing this important piece of history to our attention; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the 2024 Planning Committee of the Friends of Magnuson Park.