[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 110 (Wednesday, August 10, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  IN RECOGNITION OF ANGEL FLIGHT, INC.

                                 ______


                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 10, 1994

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
singular charitable organization called Angel Flight, Inc. This 
nonprofit corporation is dedicated to the free air transportation of 
medical patients, blood, and medical cargoes for those who cannot 
access such transportation by ordinary commercial means.
  Angel Flight is composed of volunteers whose time, talent, money, and 
aircraft are donated free of charge. In 1993 volunteer pilots produced 
300 missions that required over 2,000 hours for a total of 160,000 
nautical miles. Areas served include Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Nebraska. The pilot 
base has increased to more than 250 pilots.
  Angel Flight is a member of Air Care Alliance, an organization that 
supplies information throughout the United States for contacting 
organizations that provide the services of general aviation pilots and 
aircraft. A coordinator makes the necessary arrangements for each 
flight, and users must be qualified by either a physician or social 
worker.
  Some of the medical facilities served include M. D. Anderson Hospital 
in Houston, Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Wadley Blood Center in 
Dallas, Cancer Therapy & Research Center in San Antonio, University of 
Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Mayo Hospital in Minnesota, and 
Shrine Hospital in Chicago.
  Each pilot must adhere to FAA regulations, provide insurance 
coverage, and have a minimum of 200 hours of flight time. Angel Flight 
is financially supported primarily by these volunteer pilots, who 
donate the use of their airplanes and operating expenses, and by 
contributions from individuals, service clubs, and other groups. The 
corporation receives no financial aid from any government entity.
  From transporting a cancer patient for an experimental drug treatment 
to flying a young child to a specialist for a series of cosmetic 
surgeries, Angel Flight is in the business of helping provide medical 
care for those in need. Mr. Speaker, during this time when our Nation 
is focused on quality health care and health care costs, I wish to 
salute the heroic efforts of these volunteers who are doing their part 
to provide quality of care for patients at no cost to the taxpayer or 
government. Their efforts deserve our recognition and our thanks.

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