[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H6722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     KOREAN AIR FLIGHT 801 TRAGEDY

  (Mr. UNDERWOOD asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, while the rest of the Nation has turned 
its attention to other matters, we on Guam are still reeling from the 
worst air disaster of our island's history. On August 6, 1997, a Korean 
Air 747 en route from Seoul crashed into a hill 3 miles short of the 
runway of the Won Pat International Airport on Guam. The jet carried 
254 people, with 227 having perished.
  I rise today to express the condolences of the people of Guam to the 
victims' families. We share their pain most intimately not because the 
crash occurred on Guam, but also because the people on that plane were 
not entirely strangers. Amongst the dead, eight were returning Guam 
residents of Korean decent. Amongst the survivors, there were four 
returning home.
  I would also like to draw this body's attention not only to the 
grieving families, but also to the men and women who spent countless 
hours in search and rescue efforts as well as family assisting actions. 
The NTSB's efficient investigation of the airline's crash is exemplary. 
However, a tragedy of this magnitude leaves many questions unanswered. 
I strongly urge a public hearing on the crash of KAL 801 to be held on 
Guam.

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