[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 117 (Monday, September 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H6965-H6966]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   KOREAN AIR FLIGHT 801 LEGISLATION

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, as Guam recuperates from Korean Air 
Flight 801's crash on August 6, I wish to direct the Nation's attention 
to a key participant in the facilitation of various procedures linked 
to this tragedy. From its investigative efforts to its family affairs 
responsibilities, the National Transportation Safety Board was and 
continues to be an instrumental component in this process. The NTSB's 
efficient work continues to clarify the many aspects of the crash, such 
as the state of the aircraft, weather conditions and the like.
  One of the NTSB's main functions is its role in helping victims' 
families cope with their losses. I laud their efforts in tactfully 
dealing with the aggrieved individuals in such unsavory, but necessary, 
procedures as the identification of the remains. The NTSB has and 
continues to conduct their investigations professionally and 
competently. I have had the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to meet with NTSB 
officials while they were on Guam and recently in Washington. They 
assure me that they are doing all that they can in their efforts to 
bring closure to this serious tragedy.
  As Members of Congress, we should also exert every effort to aid 
those affected by this tragedy. In the next few days, I will be 
introducing legislation which would require foreign air carriers to 
establish disaster assistance plans if they are permitted to travel in 
the United States. This legislation would allocate various 
responsibilities to the foreign air carriers should their aircraft have 
an accident on U.S. soil. American carriers are already abiding by this 
requirement under the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996.
  Mr. Speaker, the reason I propose this legislation stems from Guam's 
experience with Korean Air Flight 801's tragic end. Many have 
complained about lack of guidance and proper coordination on the part 
of Korean Air in their dealings with the victims' families. While it 
took over 20 hours for NTSB personnel to reach Guam, Korean Air 
personnel and victims' families not from Guam had already arrived on 
the island within 4 to 5 hours. At this point, much could have been 
done to coordinate family and media needs as well as protection of the 
crash site. However, due to the lack of established arrangements, 
family members did not receive information on the complex nature of the 
investigation as well as a clear vision of the various agencies and 
departments' priorities who were involved in the search and rescue 
mission.
  The ensuing confusion has resulted in an exercise of patience and 
perserverance on behalf of various officials and family members alike. 
I believe that my legislation will eliminate much of the disorder which 
normally results from traumatic episodes such as this crash. I am 
working closely with NTSB and the Department of Transportation in the 
formulation of legislative language, and I am very encouraged by the 
support shown by my colleagues in the House and in the Senate. As 
Members of Congress, I believe we share the responsibility in ensuring 
the safety of our constituents whether

[[Page H6966]]

they choose to fly in domestic or foreign air carriers.
  I would also like to highlight another benefit of this legislation. 
As we enter into the next millennium, evolving technology will continue 
to draw citizens of different nations closer together. This legislation 
will not only aid American citizens, it will also benefit other 
nationalities boarding flights with prearranged disaster assistance 
plans. Common sense points to the competency of this legislation and I 
encourage the rest of my colleagues to support it.
  We must prove to our constituents that we care about them whether 
they fly domestic or foreign airlines, and I encourage my colleagues to 
be forward-looking and support my efforts in requiring foreign air 
carriers permitted to fly in the United States the responsibility to 
arrange disaster assistance plans should an accident occur on American 
soil. This legislation is a pledge that Korean Air's 801 passengers did 
not perish in vain.

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