[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S2932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CITY OF NEW ORLEANS CRASH

  Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. President, as my colleagues know, a tragic 
accident occurred in Bourbonnais, Illinois on Monday night when an 
Amtrak passenger train, the City of New Orleans, collided with a 
tractor trailer carrying steel rods. According to the National 
Transportation Safety Board, NTSB, a crew of 18 people and 196 
passengers were aboard the City of New Orleans when the accident 
occurred.
  Eleven people lost their lives in the accident, NTSB officials 
report. I wish to convey my deepest sympathy to the families of the 
victims and all others who have been touched by this tragedy. Illinois 
grieves with you.
  I would also like to recognize the dedication of the local and State 
officials and citizens who have prevented this tragedy from becoming 
even worse. Local citizens worked through the night and into the early 
morning to locate victims, free them from the wreckage, and treat their 
injuries. Public safety officials from Bourbonnais, and from the 
communities and counties surrounding it, worked above and beyond the 
call of duty to save lives, rescue survivors, and prevent further harm 
from occurring.
  Additionally, Federal officials from the Department of 
Transportation, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Highway 
Administration, the Railroad Administration, and Health and Human 
Services have traveled to Illinois to lend their expertise in the 
aftermath of this horrible accident.
  And finally, nonprofit organizations like the American Red Cross have 
also served the victims, families, and friends associated with this 
accident. At times like this we remember the fragility of human life, 
and recognize the magnanimity of the human spirit. We commend the many 
volunteers and officials involved with the city of New Orleans 
accident. Their dedication to the welfare of those injured will be 
remembered in perpetuity.
  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, we were all saddened by the accident 
involving the City of New Orleans Amtrak train in Illinois on Monday 
night.
  Several Mississippians lost their lives in the accident including 
June Bonnin of Nesbit, and Raney and Lacey Lipscomb of Lake Cormorant. 
I know my colleagues join me in extending our sympathy to their 
families.
  Mr. President, as is so often the case, tragedies such as this can 
bring out the best in individuals. Based on information provided to my 
office, it appears that three of the students from Covenant Christian 
High School in Clinton, Mississippi, who were on the train, became 
heroes.
  These students were part of a group of 15 students returning from a 
spring break trip to Canada. According to persons on the scene, Michael 
Freeman, Caleb McNair, and Jeffrey Sartor, all 17-year-old Clinton 
residents, quickly reacted to the situation.
  With fire quickly approaching from a nearby car, Michael and Caleb 
opened a window and began rescuing people trapped inside the train. 
Jeffrey and Mrs. Phyllis Hurley, a chaperone who was injured herself, 
began helping people get out of the train too.
  Caleb also assisted firefighters in getting elderly people to safety 
and getting a young girl freed from the wreckage. When firefighters and 
other help arrived, Michael was still on top of a car helping people 
from other cars over to the closest ladder and down from the train. 
Even after the young men were escorted to the side, they continued to 
help carry stretchers of wounded to safety.
  Mr. President, I extend my sympathy to all the victims and their 
families affected by the tragedy, and I commend the efforts of these 
young people and the many firefighters and emergency personnel who 
acted to save lives and assist the victims.

                          ____________________