[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3987-S3988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                IN HONOR OF NAVY LIEUTENANT SHANE OSBORN

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to honor South 
Dakota's native

[[Page S3988]]

son, Lt. Shane Osborn, the Navy pilot whose leadership and piloting 
skills saved the lives of the crew detained in China for the first part 
of April.
  Even at three years of age, Shane exhibited a fascination with 
planes. Shane's family lived on a farm near Rapid City, South Dakota, 
where the farmer owned a small, two-seat aircraft. The hangar wasn't 
far from the house, and Shane would often climb into the plane and 
pretend to take to the skies in flight. This lifelong interest led 
Shane to the Navy where he trained as a pilot and was commissioned an 
officer in 1996.
  Shane eventually was transferred to Whidbey Island Naval Station in 
Washington where he was trained to fly naval reconnaissance. As his 
Navy EP-3E plane recently flew a routine mission near the Chinese 
coast, it is reported that a Chinese F-8 fighter plane made two passes 
near the American aircraft, flying within three to five feet of the 
plane. On the third pass, the Chinese pilot apparently ran into the 
American plane's propeller, sending Shane and his crew into a steep 
dive.
  With two of the four propellers out of commission, a smashed nose 
cone, and destroyed navigational instruments, the American plane 
dropped nearly 7,500 feet toward the China Sea. With sheer will and 
brute force, Shane managed to bring the plane under control and land 
safely on the Chinese island of Hainan.
  During the ensuing days as Shane and his crew were held by Chinese 
officials, I spoke with the Chinese Ambassador and urged his government 
to release the American crew as quickly as possible. I also passed 
along to the Ambassador an email message Shane's father, Doug, wrote to 
his son. As the parent of a son in the military, I understood the fear 
and uncertainty one feels when their child is suddenly placed in harm's 
way. However, when I spoke with Doug Osborn, I was reminded also of the 
immense pride and love that a parent feels for their son or daughter in 
the military.
  I commend Lt. Shane Osborn for his heroism in safely landing the 
disabled American plane and his leadership as mission commander during 
the 11 days the American crew was detained in China. Shane symbolizes 
the very best that we have come to expect from the men and women in our 
military. I will continue to be an advocate on military issues in 
Congress and make sure that military personnel like Shane receive the 
``quality of life'' benefits they and their families deserve. After the 
numerous sacrifices the men and women in our military make for our 
country, we in Congress can be expected to do no less.

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