By Wohlgemuth                                         H.R. No. 1140

         75R16281 WMS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor

 1-2     aviator Linda Finch of San Antonio for her historic flight around

 1-3     the world's equator, completing a task that was begun by Amelia

 1-4     Earhart 60 years ago; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, An accomplished pilot and aviation historian, Linda

 1-6     Finch has logged over 8,000 flying hours and has flown in air shows

 1-7     for more than 10 years; moreover, she served as a pilot and head

 1-8     coordinator for the fund-raising and restoration of a rare

 1-9     Confederate Air Force P-47 Thunderbolt airplane; and

1-10           WHEREAS, She is also a highly successful businesswoman in the

1-11     health care and retirement industry and is the owner and operator

1-12     of a number of nursing homes and retirement communities; and

1-13           WHEREAS, Linda Finch is undertaking World Flight 1997 in a

1-14     Lockheed Electra 10E, the same type of aircraft used by Amelia

1-15     Earhart on her ill-fated journey, and in addition to piloting the

1-16     plane, this outstanding San Antonio resident supervised the

1-17     extensive restoration of the craft to make it airworthy for the

1-18     demanding flight; and

1-19           WHEREAS, Ms. Finch took off from Oakland, California, on

1-20     March 17, 1997, the same day, month, and point of departure as

1-21     Amelia Earhart, and she has followed her predecessor's route as

1-22     closely as possible, covering five continents, 20 countries, and

1-23     26,000 nautical miles; and

1-24           WHEREAS, While flying the leg of the journey to Howland

 2-1     Island, the area where Amelia Earhart disappeared, Ms. Finch

 2-2     dropped three memorial wreaths as she approached the island: one

 2-3     from the mayor of Ms. Earhart's home city of Atchison, Kansas;

 2-4     another from Zontas, a women's service organization to which the

 2-5     legendary aviator belonged; and the third as a personal gesture of

 2-6     thanks; and

 2-7           WHEREAS, Linda Finch's around-the-world flight is a tribute

 2-8     both to Amelia Earhart and to the indomitable nature of the human

 2-9     spirit, and Ms. Finch's singular achievement is indeed worthy of

2-10     special legislative recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it

2-11           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-12     Legislature hereby honor Linda Finch on her historic flight around

2-13     the world's equator and extend to her sincere best wishes for

2-14     continued success and happiness in the future; and, be it further

2-15           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-16     prepared for Ms. Finch as an expression of highest regard by the

2-17     Texas House of Representatives.