Positively Presidential
By Bill Baker
It's not every year that AMA gets this much presidential attention. In 1990 President George Bush named September Sport Aviation Month and accepted a prestigious award from a distinguished AMA member. A banner year for AMA publicity.
Sheldon Coleman Great Outdoors Award
President George Bush was presented with the 1990 Sheldon Coleman Great Outdoors Award at a dinner hosted by the American Recreation Coalition (ARC) on June 19 in Washington, DC.
David Humphreys, ARC chairman of the board and a 12‑year AMA member, presented the award to the president in recognition of his long‑standing record as an advocate of recreation programs and initiatives. In his presentation Humphreys praised the president's commitment to protecting and expanding America's recreational opportunities:
"We are fortunate indeed to have as our president a man who is not only personally committed to the outdoors and outdoor recreation, but is also willing to constantly focus his talent and energies on the long‑term protection of the precious privilege of Americans to enjoy the great outdoors," Humphreys said, addressing over 400 recreation community leaders.
In accepting the award, the president spoke of his love for the great outdoors: "Time spent in nature—camping, hiking, or fishing—frees up the mind, restores the soul, and makes memories."
The Great Outdoors Award is presented annually in honor of the late Sheldon Coleman (1901–1988), longtime chairman of the Coleman Company of Wichita, KS. Coleman devoted much of his time and energy to conservation causes, including service on the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors. The award commemorates Coleman's work by honoring distinguished Americans whose personal efforts have enhanced opportunities for all Americans to enjoy the great outdoors.
The selection committee includes:
- Former Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander
- National Geographic Society Chairman Gilbert Grosvenor
- Former Secretary of the Interior Donald Hodel
- Conservation Fund President Patrick Noonan
- Former Huffy Corporation Chairman Stuart Northrop
- American Wildlands President Sally Ranney
- U.S. Forest Service Chief Dale Robertson (last year's Great Outdoors Award winner)
ARC Dinner and AMA Representation
AMA Director of Marketing Geoff Styles and his assistant, Bill Baker, represented AMA at the ARC‑sponsored dinner, which was attended by numerous Bush administration officials and members of Congress. ARC is a federation of more than 100 organizations and companies seeking to expand the quality and quantity of recreation choices in America. AMA has been a member for several years and, through this affiliation, is kept informed about governmental activity that could affect all recreational pastimes, including model aviation.
David Humphreys — Association Executive and Model Aviator
In addition to serving as ARC chairman, Humphreys is president of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), first vice‑chairman of the Travel Industry Association (TIA), and a practicing attorney. Last year he was named RV Industry Executive of the Decade.
Despite the responsibilities of being one of the Washington area's top association executives, Humphreys finds time to be active in model aviation. He competes in numerous club contests and fun‑fly events each year and frequently flies during the afternoon at a field near his office. Weekends find him guiding his Bud Light Laser through the skies above a private flying field near his home in Shepherdstown, WV. He cites building, flying, and repairing his models as an excellent way to relax and unwind from his hectic schedule.
Sport Aviation Month
September was proclaimed Sport Aviation Month by President Bush. Encouraged by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief James Busey, the president named September as Sport Aviation Month.
President Bush acknowledged the importance of sport aviation in a letter to the NAA: "...sport flying continues to prompt advances in aircraft technology, thus contributing to our aeronautical knowledge."
AMA's Director of Marketing Geoff Styles commented: "Having President Bush publicly recognize the importance of air sports to aviation in the United States is a significant accomplishment for NAA divisions and their individual members."
The White House — June 4, 1990
I am delighted to take this opportunity to salute all those who are joining in Sport Aviation Month sponsored by the National Aeronautic Association.
Sport aviation has always been an exciting and fascinating activity. Whether taking to the air with a powered aircraft, glider, model, balloon, or even parachute, the lure of the skies that has captivated mankind throughout history continues to draw hundreds of thousands of Americans to sport aviation. It was the pure and simple desire to fly that motivated the brilliant Wright brothers in Dayton, Ohio, to conquer heavier‑than‑air flight; and to this day, sport flying continues to prompt advances in aircraft technology, thus contributing to our aeronautical knowledge.
The many local, national, and international air sport events held each year under the direction of the NAA inspire the dreams of flight in young and old alike. These events also have sparked the interest of young people to seek careers in aviation. All of you can be proud of being part of our Nation's aviation heritage. Your participation and enthusiasm are helping to keep America first in aviation and aerospace.
Barbara joins me in wishing every NAA member good flying.
AMA and NAA Relationship
AMA takes an active role in the NAA and receives many benefits from the relationship, including assistance in working with federal agencies such as the FAA and recognition by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) as the only organization to direct U.S. participation in international aeromodeling activities. The NAA also recognizes and records all national modeling records.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
