[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9775-S9776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          MILITARY AIR CRASHES

  Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, on Friday afternoon of last week, I was 
shocked and saddened to learn that a B-1B bomber had crashed near 
Alzada, MT, during a routine training mission over the Powder River 
military operations area. The bomber was assigned to Ellsworth Air 
Force Base in South Dakota, and all four crew members aboard the 
aircraft were killed.
  I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the families of those 
courageous individuals. They died in the service of their country, and 
I know my colleagues join me in honoring their memory and their 
sacrifice.
  The B-1 accident was the sixth military air crash in 7 days. Although 
there is no apparent connection between the accidents, Secretary of 
Defense William Cohen rightly asked the Air Force and the other 
branches of the Armed Forces to implement a 24-hour safety stand down 
to allow those who fly and maintain U.S. military aircraft to focus on 
safety.
  Despite the rash of accidents that occurred in recent days, the past 
year has been a relatively safe year for the Department of Defense.
  Fifty-five military aviation accidents occurred this year compared to 
67 last year, 69 in 1995, and 86 in 1994. Although this appears to be a 
good trend, the Pentagon must strive to improve its safety record even 
further, and they are doing that.
  I commend Secretary Cohen for implementing a safety stand down and am 
confident it will yield positive results.

[[Page S9776]]

If it helps to prevent just one crash or the loss of just one life, the 
safety review will be well worth the effort.
  As Secretary Cohen recently said, ``The lives of our aircrews and 
passengers are very precious, and each loss is a great tragedy.''
  As the Air Combat Command, the Air Force and other branches of the 
Armed Forces study safety this week, I hope all of us will take a 
moment to reflect on those committed and dedicated individuals who lost 
their lives in military crashes in recent days. I would like to take a 
moment to review the exceptional lives of those four service members 
from Ellsworth Air Force Base who died in the tragic accident last 
week.
  Col. Anthony Beat was born in Willard, OH, in 1951. He graduated from 
Ohio State University in 1973 and earned his commission through the Air 
Force Reserve Officer Training Corps the same year.
  During his long tenure in the Air Force, Tony served in a number of 
capacities. He was a B-52 copilot, aircraft commander and instructor 
pilot. He was also assigned to the Bases and Units Division in the 
Strategic Air Command headquarters. Most recently, he served as the 
vice commander of the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
  My staff and I had worked closely with Colonel Beat on a number of 
issues during his tenure as vice commander. His expertise and many 
accomplishments had a profound impact on Ellsworth Air Force Base.
  Colonel Beat was a member of the Ellsworth Black Hills Chapel and 
enjoyed jogging, hunting, and fishing. He is survived by his wife, 
Dolores Ann, and their son, James Allen.
  Maj. Clay Culver grew up in Memphis, TN, and graduated from the 
Memphis State University in 1981. Since earning his commission in 1983, 
Major Culver was an Advanced Electronic Warfare Systems instructor in 
the 453d Flying Training Squadron, an assistant operations officer, and 
defensive systems officer instructor.
  Most recently, he served as an assistant operations officer and 
weapons systems officer in the 37th Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth Air 
Force Base.
  Major Culver is survived by his wife, Cynthia; a daughter, Ann; and 
son, Parker. Mrs. Culver said recently her husband ``was doing the 
right thing, and it was a very honorable way to go.''
  Maj. Kirk Cakerice was born in 1954 in Eldora, IA. He graduated from 
the University of Northern Iowa in 1977 and married Myra Van Sickle the 
same year.
  Kirk earned his commission in 1982 and served in a number of 
assignments including B-1B Aircraft Commander, instructor of B-1B 
Aircraft Commanders, and cadet squadron commander at the U.S. Air Force 
Academy in Colorado Springs. Most recently, he served as an assistant 
operations officer in the 37th Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force 
Base.
  A longtime friend of Major Cakerice said Kirk was the ``prototypical 
Iowa boy.'' He ``grew up in smalltown Iowa, tremendous sense of humor, 
very talented at sports, could learn something quickly and do it.''
  Major Cakerice was a member of the Canyon Lake United Methodist 
Church in Rapid City, SD. He is survived by his wife, Myra; son, Brett; 
and daughter, Kendra.
  Capt. Gary Everett, who was engaged to be married, was the youngest 
of the four who died in the B-1B crash on Friday. He was born in 
Brooklyn, NY, in 1962 and grew up near Louisville, KY.
  His parents, three brothers, and one sister still live in Kentucky.
  Gary graduated from the University of Louisville with a degree in 
physics in 1986 and earned his commission through the Officers Training 
School 2 years later. He served as B-1B Defensive Systems Officer in 
the 34th Bomb Squadron and as a weapons systems officer in the 37th 
Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
  Gary had many interests outside the Air Force, including an online 
service called RapidNet that he founded with two partners in Rapid 
City. Gary's sister-in-law, Karen Everett, said ``Gary was a hero to 
all his younger cousins. He was a wonderful role model for all his 
achievements, in starting his own business, and for his emphasis on how 
important education is.''
  Captain Everett is survived by his parents, Joseph and Dorothy 
Everett, of Glasgow, KY; three brothers, James, Joe, and William; one 
sister, Carol Ann Johnson; and his fiancee, Karen Tallent of Rapid 
City, SD.
  Mr. President, we suffered a tragic loss on Friday. Col. Tony Beat, 
Maj. Clay Culver, Maj. Kirk Cakerice, and Capt. Gary Everett served 
nobly, and they will be deeply missed. Their commitment and dedication 
to their families, the Air Force, and our country will not be 
forgotten.
  Like many in South Dakota and throughout the country, my thoughts and 
prayers are with the families of those who lost their loved ones in 
this terrible tragedy. And we think of them now.

  I yield the floor.
  Several Senators addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Senator Leahy, how long will you go?
  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I am sorry, I did not see the Senator 
from New Mexico. Under our normal practice in these kind of times we 
tend to go back and forth, so obviously the Senator from New Mexico 
would proceed.
  Mr. DOMENICI. I have a few remarks regarding the IRS and the National 
Federation of Independent Businesses.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico is recognized.

                          ____________________