[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 124 (Friday, September 21, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DEBORAH JACOBS WELSH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2001

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my 
constituents, Deborah Jacobs Welsh. I have never had the pleasure of 
meeting Ms. Welsh, but because of her courage and selflessness, I am 
able to stand here today on the floor of the House of Representatives 
and honor her memory.
  Debbie, as her friends and family lovingly call her, was a flight 
attendant on United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked on that 
fateful morning of September 11 and then crashed into a field in 
western Pennsylvania.
  But that's only part of the story.
  Debbie and others aboard Flight 93 were aware that this hijacking was 
part of a bigger, coordinated terrorist attack. They knew that not only 
were their own lives at stake, but the lives of countless people on the 
ground also hung in the balance. Putting aside their own safety and 
well-being and overcoming paralyzing fear, several passengers and crew 
members banded together and vowed to take back control of the plane. 
Anyone who knows Debbie, knows that, without a doubt, she was part of 
the group that fought to the end, refusing to give in to the hijackers.
  Words cannot express the rollercoaster of emotions running through me 
on that tragic day, especially when I learned of the heroic actions of 
those on Flight 93 which, according to authorities, was likely headed 
for the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. I cannot fathom the further 
devastation Flight 93 would have wrought if not for Debbie and the 
others who made the ultimate sacrifice, all in the name of protecting 
their fellow Americans and our nation. Because of these courageous 
individuals, I stand here today unharmed, as do my colleagues, members 
of my staff, and hundreds of other people who work on Capitol Hill.
  The bravery Debbie demonstrated in her final moments was not an 
isolated incident. Throughout her life, she always stood up for herself 
and for those around her, doing what she could to right any injustices 
she encountered. She could light up a room with her smile and her 
wonderful sense of humor. Debbie showed the same level of loyalty and 
concern to strangers as she did her family, routinely giving unused 
airline food to the homeless people in her neighborhood. Most of all, 
Debbie was a loving wife to Patrick, and a devoted daughter, sister, 
and aunt.
  Debbie will definitely be sorely missed, but she will never be 
forgotten. Her actions will live on as an example for all Americans.
  I know I speak for myself and my colleagues, when I say, ``Thank you, 
Debbie. For everything.''

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