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“CONTINENTAL AIRLINES FLIGHT 3407” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S2262-S2263 on Feb. 13, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES FLIGHT 3407
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the lives and the memories of the victims of the tragic crash of Continental Airlines Flight 3407 in Clarence, NY, last night. Our Nation woke up this morning to the deeply saddening news that 50 lives were lost in this inexplicable tragedy, and our hearts, our prayers, and our minds are with the families and friends who lost a loved one, the first responders at the scene, and the residents of Clarence.
I was deeply saddened to hear that one of the victims was Beverly Eckert, whose husband Sean Rooney perished in the tragic events of September 11. I knew Beverly. I worked with her and so admired her fight to make sure another 9/11 never happens again.
Beverly was a national role model who turned tragedy into inspiration. She was traveling to Buffalo for what would have been her husband's 58th birthday, to take part in a presentation of a scholarship award in his memory at Canisius High School. She, and all the victims of this accident, will be greatly missed. Of course, the family members of the other victims, whose names have not been made public yet, will relate in the future episodes of quiet strength and bravery of their loved ones as well.
I spoke with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood early this morning, and he reassured me that the Department of Transportation is taking quick action to figure out what caused this accident. Secretary LaHood told me the first responders who rushed to the scene immediately last night have been remarkably brave in their efforts to save lives.
To all the brave men and women who risked their lives to protect the families who live in the area of the accident and to the many who are still on the ground fighting the fires that remain, thank you for your service.
I also spoke, this morning, with Congressmen Chris Lee and Brian Higgins, county executive Chris Collins, and Clarence supervisor Scott Bylewski to offer help. I am comforted that everyone at the Federal, State, and local levels stands ready to provide whatever help is needed.
Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the people of Clarence and the entire Buffalo area who were, no doubt, leaving for work and school with very heavy hearts this morning.
As a Senator, I am proud to serve the people of western New York. They are a resilient community, and if there is any comfort to this tragedy, it is in knowing that their outreach to the victims' families will be generous and loving.
Just last month, the world exalted when flight 1549 landed on the Hudson River without a single loss of life. Yet today we are faced with this horrible tragedy. At times such as this, the only thing that helps us is our faith that there is a greater wisdom that, at times such as this, is hard to understand.
Again, I offer my deepest condolences to the victims' families and friends as we continue to learn more about the cause of this tragic accident.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Arizona.
Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I say to my colleague from New York that all of us join in expressing sympathy and sorrow at the loss of these wonderful Americans. Thank you for your eloquent words. They are deeply appreciated.
Mr. President, I would like to mention to my colleagues that so far we have speaking requests from Senators Coburn, Enzi, Roberts, Bennett, Hutchison, Barrasso, Ensign, Thune, Kyl, Cornyn, Sessions, and then Alexander, Grassley, Brownback, and Graham. So I would urge my colleagues to come over so we can move forward with this process.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Illinois.
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