TRIBUTE TO CLAY LACY

On 2026-09-29, Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) delivered a floor speech titled "TRIBUTE TO CLAY LACY" in the Senate.

TRIBUTE TO CLAY LACY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 154 (Tuesday, September 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 154 (Tuesday, September 29, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S5160-S5161] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRIBUTE TO CLAY LACY Mr. MORAN. Madam President, today, I want to recognize Clay Lacy, a Kansan whose distinguished career of dedication, innovation and service has made him one of the most accomplished and influential aviators in the history of American flight. Clay Lacy grew up on a farm near Wichita--the Air Capital of the World--and from an early age, he knew he wanted to fly. Inspired by his grandmother and early aviation mentors, Clay pursued his passion with dedication. He learned to fly by the age of 12 and went on to earn his flight instructor certificate. In 1952, he joined United Airlines as a copilot. Just 1 year later, he joined the California Air National Guard, serving our Nation as a military aviator flying the F-86 Sabre fighter jet. Over a career that spanned more than seven decades, Clay has accumulated more than 55,000 flight hours and flown hundreds of different aircraft. In addition to his service as a United Airlines captain and military aviator, Clay distinguished himself as a test pilot, air racer, and entrepreneur. In 1968, he founded Clay Lacy Aviation, the first executive jet management company on the West Coast, helping establish a new standard for business aviation. [[Page S5161]] Clay's spirit of innovation extended far beyond his work as a pilot. His passion for aviation inspired him to pioneer new techniques in aerial cinematography. Through Astrovision, an air-to-air camera system he developed, Clay revolutionized the way aircraft were filmed and photographed, contributing to some of the most iconic aviation imagery featured in motion pictures, television, and advertising. Just as importantly, Clay has used his success to create opportunities for others. Through his philanthropy and the work of the Clay Lacy Foundation, he has supported aviation education and expanded educational opportunities for young people across the country. Clay's extraordinary contributions to aviation have been recognized with numerous honors. In 2010, he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, followed by his induction into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 2011. He has also received the Federal Aviation Administration's Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, the United Airlines Historical Foundation's William S. Arnott Legacy Award, the National Business Aviation Association's Meritorious Service to Aviation Award, and many other distinguished honors. On November 10, 2026, Clay will receive the Kansas Aviation Museum Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his storied career, his contributions to the aviation industry, and the lasting legacy of a Wichita-born aviator whose influence has reached around the globe. Clay Lacy has devoted his life to advancing the aviation industry he has loved and cherished since he was a young boy. His remarkable career reflects not only a passion for flight, but also a commitment to innovation, service, mentorship, and giving back to the next generation. I thank Clay for his steadfast service to the aviation industry, our Nation, and the State of Kansas. His extraordinary contributions will continue to inspire generations of aviators and Kansans for years to come. ____________________