[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 153 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H11450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO FAMILY AND LOVED ONES OF EGYPTAIR FLIGHT 990

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cooksey). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, this evening I stand before my colleagues 
with a heavy heart in the wake of the EgyptAir Flight 990 tragedy. The 
unsettling news of the plane crash struck a particular cord within me, 
as several of the passengers on that flight were in some way connected 
to my home district in Baltimore.
  Arthur and Marie Simermeyer were both active and upstanding seniors 
who were citizens of my home district and were on that plane. They 
volunteered at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Glyndon and 
were described by family and friends as having a kind and giving nature 
that was surpassed only by their love of life even in their elder 
years.
  These were people who made positive contributions to the community 
and helped keep the neighborly spirit, which can sometimes be rare, 
very much alive among those who knew them. Yes, this tragedy was indeed 
a major loss. But the Simermeyers were special people who gave to a 
special location.
  We also had some students that were killed in the EgyptAir flight. 
They were exchange students from Egypt. As I thought of the situation 
over in my head repeatedly, I searched for an answer, a positive amidst 
the sea of disaster and despair, any silver lining that would help me 
and others feeling the pain of this tragedy pass this deep and dark 
cloud. Then I realized that, just as there is a lesson in everything, 
there is something that we all can take away from this unfortunate 
occurrence.
  We can all at some point identify with the loss of a loved one, a 
friend, or a dear community member. Still, just as we here in the 
United States grieve over the death of those Americans on Flight 990, 
we must remember those teenagers returning home and show our support to 
the Egyptian communities that mourn their deaths as well.
  This is an important opportunity for the strength and support from 
one person to another to transcend ethnic, racial, and national 
boundaries. This is the time where we must come together across 
international lines and show our sympathy and compassion as we all 
share in the unexplainable loss of good and innocent people.
  Just as pain knows no color, country, or social class, support, 
compassion, and comfort should not know the difference between nations, 
either. Just as we mourn the loss of the Simermeyers and the other 
passengers on that flight, our hearts and prayers are also with the 
families and friends of those Egyptians who also perished in this 
tragedy.

  We must seize this opportunity before us and learn the lesson that we 
must all come together to help each other cope with the results of 
disaster.
  As I close, I feel compelled to focus on the newly developed 
friendship between a Baltimore teen, Shantell Rose, and Walaa Zeid of 
Egypt. The two had been inseparable as they lived, studied, shopped, 
and played together for 2 weeks as a part of the exchange program. At 
the end of this precious time, Shantell stated that, as they parted, 
they said, ``I love you.'' In describing this experience, she said that 
they had started a relationship that will last for decades and cross 
continents.
  I say to Shantell Rose, other students, and to all the loved ones of 
those that have departed us in this tragedy that the journey of life 
takes us through many times of happiness and sadness. We remember the 
happy times as the most loved and enriching experiences of all. 
Although the sad times do not outwardly appear to benefit us, they are, 
in reality, what builds strength and character in all of us.
  Remember that our relationships will still last decades and the new 
relationships that Americans and Egyptian families will make will 
continue across the continents. These relationships will build your 
strength and character and allow you to say these simple words: Do not 
cry for me, for the time we shared will always be.

                          ____________________