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Recognition and Celebration to be held at SUN ’n FUN 2011

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (February 14, 2011) — The Lindbergh Foundation announced today that Dean Kamen, noted inventor, educator and pilot, has been selected to receive the prestigious Lindbergh Award for 2011.  In addition, the Foundation will recognize GE Aviation as the recipient of its Corporate Award for Balance, and Milbry Polk, Founder and Director Emeritus of WINGs WorldQuest, with the Anne Morrow Lindbergh Award.  These Awardees will be honored at the 34^th annual Lindbergh Award Celebration and Dinner hosted by SUN ’n FUN on Wednesday evening, March 30 during their 2011 International Fly-In & Expo.

Beginning with the inception of the Foundation on the 50^th anniversary of the famous transatlantic flight, the Lindbergh Award has been presented annually to individuals whose work has made significant contributions reflecting the Foundation’s mission of balancing technology and nature. “Dean Kamen is probably best known as the inventor of the Segway but he is also a talented single-pilot jet jockey and flies all over in his Beachcraft Premier,” said Linden Blue, chairman of Spectrum Aeronautical, LLC, and Lindbergh Foundation Board member. “However, our entire Board of Directors was extremely impressed by Dean Kamen’s lifelong dedication to helping people lead better lives through breakthrough medical innovations, such as the insulin pump.” Blue also noted Kamen’s encouragement to young people to consider a future as science and technology leaders through the FIRST® Robotics program, as well as his work on energy and water purification.

The Foundation’s Corporate Award for Balance is an honor bestowed on organizations whose concern for the environment and dedication to improving quality of life are demonstrated through their business practices. “GE Aviation’s technological innovations have produced tremendous gains in fuel efficiency,” observed Larry Williams, Lindbergh Foundation Chairman and CEO of BRS Aerospace. “Their dedication to research and technology that reduce fuel consumption, noise and emissions is exemplary, and certainly worthy of Lindbergh Foundation recognition,”he added.  “GE’s work is an excellent model for other manufacturers to follow.”

“GE Aviation is committed to developing new, cost-effective technologies that enhance customers’ environmental and operating performance,” said David Joyce, president and CEO, GE Aviation.  “We are honored to receive the Lindbergh Corporate Award for Balance recognizing our accomplishments in this important area.” Accepting the Award for GE Aviation will be Lorraine Bolsinger, president and chief executive officer for GE Aviation Systems, LLC.

The Anne Morrow Lindbergh Award is presented for outstanding individual achievement, a spirit of initiative, and great dedication toward making positive contributions to our world.  “Milbry’s numerous accomplishments as an author and explorer mirror those same talents we appreciated in Anne Morrow Lindbergh,” said Daniel Bennett, the Lindbergh Foundation Director and past president of The Explorers Club, who nominated Ms. Polk for this recognition. “The mission of WINGS WorldQuest dovetails nicely with the Lindbergh Foundation because it provides funding and recognition for women explorers, as well as for scientific research and education.”

“Dean Kamen, GE Aviation and Milbry Polk each represent the very best of what the Lindbergh Foundation seeks to recognize with our Lindbergh Awards,” added David Treinis, an Officer of the Foundation and Chairman of the Awards Selection Committee. “We are pleased and honored to present our Lindbergh Foundation awards to such and outstanding group, and we’re particularly excited to be partnering with SUN ’n FUN to produce this year’s Awards Celebration Event.”

SUN ’n FUN President and Convention Chairman John Burton pointed out that, “With aviation luminaries like John and Martha King, Sean Tucker, Kermit Weeks, and other Board Members representing the Lindbergh Foundation, and an evening full of entertainment and enlightening comments by the Awardees, the Lindbergh Award Celebration is not to be missed.  SUN ’n FUN is proud to be hosting this important event, and to support the long-standing tradition of the Lindbergh Foundation.”

The 2011 Lindbergh Award Celebration and Dinner will include a cocktail reception, auction, and dinner, followed by presentations by Mr. Kamen, Ms. Bolsinger, and Ms. Polk.

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About The Lindbergh Foundation

The Lindbergh Foundation is a public 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Anoka, Minnesota, which focuses on technological breakthroughs to address significant aviation-environmental issues. The Lindbergh Foundation also values individual initiative and accomplishments.  Its programs are devoted to supporting, honoring, and educating individuals, through three major programs:  the annual Lindbergh Award, presented to individuals for significant contributions toward balancing nature and scientific innovation in their work; the Lindbergh Grants program, which provides grants in amounts up to $10,580 (the cost of building the Spirit of St. Louis in 1927) for research or education projects that will make important contributions to the technology/environment balance; and a variety of educational events and publications centered on the balance theme.

About SUN ’n FUN

SUN ’n FUN, a 501(c) (3) not–for–profit organization based in Lakeland, Florida, is best known for its annual International Fly–In & Expo. The Fly-In event is the primary source of funding for an expanding menu of year–round, aviation-oriented education programs offered by SUN ’n FUN and its wholly owned subsidiary, the Florida Air Museum (FAM).  FAM was named the state’s “Official Aviation Museum and Education Center” by the Florida legislature and has initiated education programs for aviation enthusiasts of all ages – especially young people – featuring valuable “hands on” learning experiences.  SUN ’n FUN and FAM provide ongoing support to the Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA), a high school career academy located on the SUN ’n FUN campus that was created in partnership with the Polk County School Board, Polk State College, the University of South Florida Polytechnic, Gulf Coast Avionics and other education-minded organizations.  A growing scholarship program provides financial support to ensure these education programs are accessible to all.  For more information, access the SUN ’n FUN and FAM website at www.sun-n-fun.org <http://www.sun-n-fun.org/> or call (863) 644–2431.

About GE Aviation

GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.  

EDITORS NOTE:  Photos and bios are available here.