[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 106 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 106

      Commending the crew of the United States Navy EP-3 Aries II 
    reconnaissance aircraft that on April 1, 2001, while flying in 
 international airspace off the coast of China, was involved in a mid-
  air collision with a Chinese fighter aircraft for their outstanding 
 performance of duty and exemplary conduct and expressing the sense of 
    Congress concerning continued United States reconnaissance and 
                   surveillance flights in the area.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 25, 2001

 Mr. Skelton submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
      Commending the crew of the United States Navy EP-3 Aries II 
    reconnaissance aircraft that on April 1, 2001, while flying in 
 international airspace off the coast of China, was involved in a mid-
  air collision with a Chinese fighter aircraft for their outstanding 
 performance of duty and exemplary conduct and expressing the sense of 
    Congress concerning continued United States reconnaissance and 
                   surveillance flights in the area.

Whereas on April 1, 2001, a United States Navy EP-3 Aries II reconnaissance 
        aircraft on a routine reconnaissance and surveillance mission in 
        international airspace off the coast of China was intercepted by two F-8 
        fighter jet aircraft of the People's Republic of China;
Whereas one of the F-8 fighters flew dangerously close to the EP-3 aircraft and 
        collided with it, resulting in structural damage to the EP-3 aircraft 
        and loss of altitude and control;
Whereas there have been other incidents of Chinese military pilots being overly 
        aggressive in intercepting United States reconnaissance aircraft 
        operating in international airspace;
Whereas the crew of the United States aircraft transmitted a series of 
        ``Mayday'' distress calls and, despite severe damage to the aircraft, 
        was able to successfully land at the nearest airfield, the Lingshui 
        military airfield on Hainan Island, China;
Whereas the entire EP-3 crew conducted themselves in an exemplary manner, both 
        in safely landing the aircraft notwithstanding the severe structural 
        damage sustained and in following prescribed procedures for minimizing 
        the compromise of sensitive national security information;
Whereas the 24 members of the EP-3 crew were detained against their will for 11 
        days before being released; and
Whereas after the landing, personnel of the People's Liberation Army of the 
        People's Republic of China boarded the EP-3 aircraft, notwithstanding 
        its status under international law as property of the United States: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That (a) Congress commends the 24 members of the crew of the United 
States Navy EP-3 Aries II reconnaissance aircraft that on April 1, 
2001, was struck by a F-8 fighter aircraft of the People's Republic of 
China in a mid-air collision and in particular--
            (1) commends the crew for the conduct of their 
        reconnaissance and surveillance mission in international 
        airspace in accordance with international law and prescribed 
        United States Navy flight procedures, notwithstanding the 
        dangerous actions of the Chinese aircraft;
            (2) commends the pilot and other members of the crew 
        responsible for operation of the aircraft for their outstanding 
        performance following the collision with the Chinese aircraft, 
        first in regaining control of the aircraft and then in 
        successfully landing the aircraft;
            (3) commends the crew for their actions in adhering to 
        prescribed procedures for minimizing the compromise of 
        sensitive national security information; and
            (4) commends the entire crew for their personal conduct 
        while being detained by the People's Republic of China during 
        the 11-day period following their landing on Hainan Island, 
        China.
    (b) It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the April 1, 2001, incident described in subsection (a) 
        should not be the basis for a reduction in, or cessation of, 
        lawful reconnaissance and surveillance flights in that area by 
        United States Armed Forces aircraft;
            (2) the United States Navy EP-3 aircraft now sitting on a 
        military airfield on Hainan Island, China, should be 
        immediately returned to the United States; and
            (3) continued interception and aggressive tactics by 
        Chinese pilots toward lawful United States reconnaissance and 
        surveillance flights may undermine important relationships 
        between the United States and People's Republic of China.
                                 <all>