2013 Senate Joint Resolution 53
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of Paul Poberezny.
Whereas, Paul Poberezny, the founder of the Experimental Aircraft Association, was born on September 14, 1921; and
Whereas, Paul piloted his first aircraft at the age of 15, the first aircraft he ever rode in, which was a single-seat glider he restored himself; and
Whereas, Paul was a veteran who served during World War II as a flight instructor in the Army and later became a member of the Wisconsin Air National Guard and flew a C-47 cargo plane during the Korean War; and
Whereas, in 1953 Paul founded the EAA by bringing a group of aviation enthusiasts together in the basement of his home in Milwaukee; and
Whereas, with Paul's leadership, the EAA has grown into a worldwide organization with over 180,000 members and approximately 1,000 chapters; and
Whereas, the EAA's first yearly "fly-in" was held in September 1953 with 22 aircraft, and the event grew into the EAA "AirVenture," which now annually brings together close to 10,000 aircraft and over 500,000 aviation enthusiasts, who refer to the event as "Oshkosh"; and
Whereas, the EAA, now located in Oshkosh, operates the EAA AirVenture Museum and displays over 200 historic planes; and
Whereas, Paul's final flight was in April 2012 on one of his favorite planes, a vintage B-17 bomber; and
Whereas, Paul passed away at the age of 91 on August 22, 2013, in Oshkosh; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the legislature commends the life and public service of Paul Poberezny and mourns his passing.
