81R5126 JGH-D
By: Bolton H.R. No. 449
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Carol Foy of Spicewood has earned great distinction
as the copilot of a record-breaking flight around the world in a
single-engine airplane in December 2008; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Foy and pilot CarolAnn Garratt undertook this
historic flight in order to raise awareness of amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease; both women
have loved ones who have been afflicted with the illness, and they
hope to raise $1 million to support ALS research; and
WHEREAS, Flying a 1993 Mooney MSE 201 single-engine plane,
Ms. Foy and her partner completed their epic journey in 160 hours,
leaving from and returning to Orlando, Florida; they stopped only
nine times for refueling and sleep, passing through Hawaii, Guam,
Thailand, Oman, Mali, and the Cape Verde Islands; after a final leg
that lasted 23 hours, they finished their flight on December 12,
2008; and
WHEREAS, The current official world record for a
round-the-world trip in a single-engine plane was set in 1988, with
an average speed of 54.6 miles per hour; the flight of Ms. Foy and
Ms. Garratt is still being verified by the Federation Aeronautique
Internationale, but they appear to have broken that record; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Foy first learned to fly when her husband, an
airline pilot, purchased a small plane; she is rated on
single-engine, multi-engine, and commercial aircraft, and in 2006,
she won the Air Race Classic, a cross-country race for women pilots;
since her husband's death, she has taken up flying full-time,
working as a flight instructor and a contract pilot; and
WHEREAS, Together with Ms. Garratt, Ms. Foy is participating
in speaking engagements around the country to talk about their trip
and raise money for ALS research; so far, they have raised more than
$150,000; and
WHEREAS, Carol Foy's remarkable achievement is not only a
triumph of skill and endurance, but a demonstration of compassion
and commitment, and it is a pleasure to recognize this exemplary
Texas aviator for her part in this amazing endeavor; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commend Carol Foy for her recent record-breaking
round-the-world flight and extend to her sincere best wishes for
clear skies and favorable winds in the days and years ahead; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Foy as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.