[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 29, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 IN RECOGNITION OF FRANK CARVEN IN REMEMBERANCE OF PAULA AND JAY CARVEN

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR.

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 1997

  Mr. EHRLICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my full support and 
praise for the recent passage of H.R. 2005, legislation to improve the 
application of the Death on the High Seas Act to permit families full 
recovery for aviation disasters. As an original cosponsor of H.R. 2005, 
I am pleased with the rapid progress of this very important 
legislation.
  On July 17, 1996, TWA Flight 800 crashed shortly after takeoff, 
approximately 9 miles off Long Island Sound. On board this tragic 
flight were Paula and Jay Carven, the sister and nephew of a very close 
friend of mine, Mr. Frank Carven. Frank's sister, Paula, and her 9-
year-old son, Jay, perished when TWA Flight 800 crashed. While the 
investigation into the accident has drawn considerable public 
attention, I rise to recognize the private courage and quiet 
perseverance of Frank Carven. Regardless of the theories, the reasons, 
and the causes that experts attribute to the TWA 800 explosion, they 
cannot bring back Paula, Jay, or the more than 220 innocent lives lost 
on that fateful night.
  In the aftermath of this disaster, the Carvens and other victims' 
families learned that a harsh, broken statute--the Death on the High 
Seas Act--is the sole remedy currently available to provide 
compensation for this loss. Unfortunately, the measure of compensation 
only applies to loss of income, with no possibility of recovering for 
noneconomic damages. The 1920 statute was intended for maritime 
accidents and does not adequately cover commercial aviation. 
Accordingly, Frank and I realized that reforming and updating this 
antiquated law was the right legal, and moral, thing to do.
  In response to the unjust restrictions of the Death on the High Seas 
Act, Congressman Joseph McDade introduced H.R. 2005, making the 
necessary changes to improve this act. I want to acknowledge 
Congressman McDade's hard work on this legislation and extend my 
appreciation for the expeditious and thoughtful work of the House 
Aviation Subcommittee. The members and staff involved are to be 
commended for their timely action on this bill.
  While H.R. 2005 will not prevent another airline accident at sea from 
occurring, this bill will apply commonsense legal considerations for 
those who tragically lose their loved ones. I want to publicly thank 
Frank Carven and the many other families of airline disaster victims 
who have brought this issue to the Congress. I am proud to take part in 
this important process and look forward to achieving equity for the 
families and friends of passengers on TWA Flight 800.

                          ____________________