[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 60 (Monday, May 13, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4285-S4287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 110--HONORING THE HEROISM AND COURAGE 
        DISPLAYED BY AIRLINE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS ON A DAILY BASIS

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mrs. Hutchison, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Daschle, 
Ms. Cantwell, Ms. Collins, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Reid, Mr. Warner, Mr. 
Bayh, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Murkowski, Mr. Torricelli, Mr. Durbin, Mr. 
Graham, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Dayton, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Reed, Mr. 
Specter, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Bond, Mr. Craig, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Kerry, 
Mr. Dodd, Mr. Corzine, Mr. Wellstone, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Rockefeller, 
Mr. Wyden, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Bunning, 
Mr. Santorum, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Allen, Mr. Hollings, Mr. DeWine, Mrs. 
Clinton, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Smith of New Hampshire, Mr. Schumer, Ms. 
Snowe, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Breaux, Mrs. Carnahan, Mr. Domenici, Ms. 
Mikulski, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Lieberman) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation:

                            S. Con. Res. 110

       Whereas over 100,000 men and women in the United States 
     serve as flight attendants;
       Whereas flight attendants dedicate themselves to serving 
     and protecting their passengers;
       Whereas flight attendants react to dangerous situations as 
     the first line of defense of airline passengers;
       Whereas safety and security are the primary concerns of 
     flight attendants;
       Whereas flight attendants evacuate passengers from an 
     airplane in emergency situations;
       Whereas flight attendants defend passengers against 
     hijackers, terrorists, and abusive passengers;
       Whereas flight attendants handle in-flight medical 
     emergencies;
       Whereas flight attendants perform routine safety and 
     service duties on board the aircraft;
       Whereas 25 flight attendants lost their lives aboard 4 
     hijacked flights on September 11, 2001;
       Whereas 5 flight attendants helped to prevent United Flight 
     93 from reaching its intended target on September 11, 2001;
       Whereas flight attendants provided assistance to passengers 
     across the United States who had their flights diverted on 
     September 11, 2001;
       Whereas flight attendants on American Airlines Flight 63 
     helped to subdue Richard

[[Page S4286]]

     Reid on December 22, 2001, thereby preventing him from 
     detonating an explosive device in his shoe intended to bring 
     down the airplane and kill all 185 passengers and 12 crew 
     members on board; and
       Whereas flight attendants helped to prevent Pablo Moreira, 
     a Uruguayan citizen, from breaking into the cockpit on 
     February 7, 2002 during United Flight 855 from Miami to 
     Buenos Aires: Now therefore be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) expresses its profound gratitude for the faithful 
     service provided by flight attendants to make air travel 
     safe;
       (2) honors the courage and dedication of flight attendants;
       (3) supports all the flight attendants who continue to 
     display heroism on a daily basis, as they had been doing 
     before, during, and after September 11, 2001; and
       (4) shall send a copy of this resolution to a family member 
     of each of the flight attendants killed on September 11, 
     2001.

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a concurrent 
resolution honoring flight attendants for the courage, dedication, and 
heroism they display on a daily basis as the first line of defense 
against trouble and terror in our skies.
  From the events of September 11, we have all taken great pride in the 
heroism and courage displayed by rescue workers, firemen, and first 
responders. These were the men and women running into the burning and 
collapsing buildings to help those who were running out get to safety. 
Who knows what the death toll would have been that dreadful day without 
the help of these brave heroes.
  Since September 11, the United States has rallied behind the courage 
and dedication of our troops abroad who are rooting out terrorism. 
American soldiers are protecting the United States from future 
terrorist attacks and as we all know, lives have been lost.
  I cannot say enough about what the policemen, firemen, rescue 
workers, and the men and women of our armed services have done to 
protect all of us.
  However, one group of American heroes that I also want to make sure 
receive their proper recognition are the approximately 100,000 men and 
women who serve as flight attendants in the United States today.
  Flight attendants dedicate themselves to serving and protecting their 
passengers.
  Flight attendants react to dangerous situations on airplanes as the 
first line of defense of airline passengers and the pilots in the 
cockpit.
  Flight attendants evacuate passengers from the airplane in emergency 
situations.
  Flight attendants have defended passengers against hijackers, 
terrorists, and abusive passengers.
  Flight attendants handle in-flight medical emergencies.
  And as we all know, many flight attendants lost their lives on 
September 11 as they fought with terrorists.
  Clearly flight attendants do more than serve food and drinks on the 
plane.
  They are the police, the fire department, the paramedics, and the 
bomb squad at 30,000 feet above ground. Just one of these 
responsibilities would overwhelm most people. Yet, flight attendants 
manage to balance these roles day in and day out.
  Flight attendants have enormous responsibilities and they face 
tremendous dangers in flight.
  To honor the dedication, courage, and commitment flight attendants 
made everyday, I am offering this resolution to: 1. Express the 
gratitude of Congress for the faithful service provided by flight 
attendants to make air travel safe; 2. Honor the courage and dedication 
of flight attendants; 3. Support flight attendants as they continue to 
display heroism on a daily basis; and 4. Send a copy of this resolution 
to a family member of each of the flight attendants killed on September 
11, 2001.
  In this resolution, we mention three specific instances where flight 
attendants have courageously intervened to save the lives of others.
  We all know about the heroic passengers and crew of Flight 93 on 
September 11, 2001. The flight from Newark, New Jersey to San Francisco 
was hijacked that dreadful morning. Yet the terrorists were prevented 
from crashing the airplane into its intended target by brave passengers 
and crew. Among the crew that sacrificed their lives were five United 
Airlines flight attendants.
  A few months later, terrorist Richard Reid tried to blow up American 
Airlines Flight 63. He too was stopped with the help of flight 
attendants as he tried to light explosives in his shoes.
  Speaking of the flight attendants aboard flight 93, one passenger 
said, ``There's no question that all of us on board owe our lives to 
them. [Reid] was fighting to the death.''
  And in February of this year, flight attendants and pilots aboard 
United Airlines Flight 855 prevented a passenger from breaking into the 
cockpit while the plan was traveling from Miami to Buenos Aires.
  There are only a few examples of times when flight attendants have 
stepped forward to risk their lives to protect others. And 
unfortunately there will always be a tremendous amount of risk for the 
men and women who work aboard airplanes every day.
  I want to point out that this resolution is the result of a letter by 
a flight attendant in Sacramento, California who wrote to me. I would 
like to insert the letter into the Record and read some of it aloud.
  Heather Lauter-Clay, a United Airlines flight attendant, wrote,

       From the deepest part of my heart, I am asking for your 
     support in carrying a resolution to honor Flight Attendants. 
     It would mean so much to Flight Attendants to be given the 
     respect and support that they so deserve.

  Heather, I completely agree and I am proud to offer this resolution 
to honor our flight attendants.
  I also want to enter this note into the Record. It was given to me by 
Kristin Spivey, a United flight attendant, on my trip home over the 
weekend. I was especially touched by Ms. Spivey's note, which was 
written on an airplane cocktail napkin. The note reads:

       ``Senator Feinstein: I am so pleased to have you on our 
     flight today. It has been an honor to serve you--just to meet 
     you. Thank you for sponsoring the bill to acknowledge flight 
     attendants's contributions on September 11th. It was very 
     difficult to lose so many flying partners to something so 
     senseless.
       In the aftermath it was hard to go on, despite the fact 
     that I love my job and would not give it up, because so few 
     seemed to understand my sense of loss. It is also comforting 
     to believe that all those onboard flight 93 died for a 
     reason--to save many others in Washington.
       You do then a great honor in remembering that. I know you 
     can help others understand all this. Thank you for speaking 
     for us. I know my fallen colleagues would be proud.
       Kristin Spivey (D.C. based)

  I think this note from Ms. Spivey makes it clear that this resolution 
is very important and I hope the Congress will pass this legislation 
soon.
  To the flight attendants serving today and every day: Thank You.
  I ask unanimous consent that letters of support for this resolution 
be printed in the Record. 
  There being no objection, the letters were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                                        Davis, CA.
       Dear Senator Dianne Feinstein: I am a United Airlines 
     Flight Attendant. On September 11th, our United Family was 
     forever changed. In the weeks and months following the 
     tragedy, we have been mourning the loss of our colleagues and 
     loss of ourselves. Our world as we knew it has been forever 
     changed.
       On that fateful day, the grief was immense for us. We lost 
     16 or our crewmembers in one hour, on one day. We were 
     stricken with feelings of sadness, fear, confusion and panic. 
     Many of us were stranded, away from home. As the unknown 
     lingered, we still held onto the thoughts of what our 
     colleagues faced in their last moments. Meanwhile, knowing 
     that we too would soon be boarding an airplane.
       As a flight attendant, we have taken an oath ``to provide 
     comfort, care and safety'' to our passengers. On September 
     1th, our flight attendants were doing their job. All of the 
     previous protocols that were in place for hijacking 
     situations failed them. They died protecting their passengers 
     in the best way that they knew how. As we know, in the last 
     moments of flight, they were unselfishly caring for others. 
     Flight Attendants assisted in bringing down UAL 93 by boiling 
     water to throw on the hijackers and others were on the phones 
     to supervisors detailing what was transpiring on the planes.
       As we approach 4 months since Sept. 11th, our flight 
     attendants are still continuing to be faced with sadness, 
     grief, and mourning. The skies as we now know them, are a 
     host to uncertainty. Possible terrorist threats are 
     continually present. Airline safety is still compromised. 
     United has layed off thousands of flight attendants and job 
     security is wavering.
       Over these past months, firefighters, policemen, postal 
     workers and others have

[[Page S4287]]

     been honored for their heroism and dedication to Sept 11th. 
     Flight Attendants have not and this hurts us. We too, go to 
     work each day, to serve and protect, knowing that we may not 
     come home to our loved ones. We too know the importance of 
     carrying on with our job, despite what we may encounter, even 
     the possibility of death. Our commitment, bravery and 
     dedication to the public have never ceased during and after 
     the events of September 11th. Our crews of UAL 93 and UAL 175 
     died unsung heroes.
       From the deepest part of my heart, I am asking for your 
     support in carrying a resolution to honor Flight Attendants. 
     It would mean so much to Flight Attendants to be given the 
     respect and support that they so deserve. The crews of UAL 
     93, UAL 175, AA 11, and AA 77 died unsung heroes. The 
     countless Flight Attendants who have been flying since Sept. 
     11th continually display valor, gallantry, courage, and 
     bravery in the midst of a world that is forever changed.
       Senator Feinstein, thank you for your consideration.
           Sincerely,
     Heather Lauter-Clay.
                                  ____

       Senator Feinstein: I am so pleased to have you on our 
     flight today. It has been an honor to serve you--just to meet 
     you. Thank you for sponsoring the bill to acknowledge flight 
     attendants' contributions on September 11th. It was very 
     difficult to lose so many flying partners to something so 
     senseless. In the aftermath it was hard to go on, despite the 
     fact that I love my job and would not give it up, because so 
     few seemed to understand my sense of loss. It is also 
     comforting to believe that all those onboard flight 93 died 
     for a reason--to save many others in Washington. You do them 
     a great honor in remembering that. I know you can help others 
     understand all this. Thank you for speaking for us. I know my 
     fallen colleagues would be proud.
                                                L. Kristin Spivey,
     D.C. based.
                                  ____

         Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, Air 
           Transport Local 556,
                                         Dallas, TX, May 13, 2002.
     Senator Dianne Feinstein,
     U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Feinstein: As President of Transport Workers 
     Union Local 556 representing the 7000+ hard working Flight 
     Attendants at Southwest Airlines, I am writing in support of 
     your proposed resolution honoring all Flight Attendants.
       Before September 11, 2001, Flight Attendants insured the 
     safety and comfort of airline passengers. On September 11, 
     2001, Flight Attendants were the first to sacrifice their 
     lives for the safety of the aircraft and passengers. Since 
     September 11, 2001, Flight Attendants have been first in 
     enabling airplanes and passengers to the skies. For many 
     Flight Attendants, their only reward since September 11, 2001 
     has been a ``pink slip'' as they were also among the first to 
     lose their jobs in cutbacks related to the ``Attack on 
     America''.
       Thank you for your leadership and for sponsoring a 
     resolution which will bring well-deserved recognition to the 
     over 100,000 Flight Attendants in America who make me proud 
     to wear my wings.
           Respectfully,
                                                    Thom McDaniel,
                                          TWU Local 556 President.

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I rise today with Senator Feinstein 
and 50 of my colleagues to submit a resolution to honor the service and 
professionalism of the men and women in the United States who serve as 
flight attendants.
  A career as a flight attendant requires a deep commitment. Their 
schedules are unpredictable, their work hours are long and intense, and 
the nature of the job causes long absences from the company of family 
and friends. Not too many years ago, a flight attendant, or 
``stewardess'', could be fired for getting married or becoming 
pregnant. Happily, those dark ages are over, thanks to the sacrifices 
made by generations of flight attendants who have served all of us.
  Today's flight attendants are dedicated men and women who are charged 
with many important responsibilities. Of course, they serve food and 
beverages to passengers under cramped and difficult conditions. They 
also assist children traveling alone, as well as elderly and disabled 
passengers. When requires, they administer first aid, including CPR and 
artificial respiration. Most of all, they are responsible for the 
safety and security of the passengers from the time the aircraft pulls 
away from the gate, and they are on duty until the plane arrives at its 
destination.
  On September 11, terrorism struck the United States as hijacked 
aircraft were used as massive weapons of destruction. Despite being 
trained merely to comply with the hijackers' demands and to calm the 
passengers, many went above and beyond these limitations and displayed 
great courage. Using cell phones to relay information to ground crews, 
crews aboard American Airlines Flights 11 and 77 and United Airlines 
Flights 93 and 175 assisted law enforcement officials in identifying 
the hijackers and assessing the nature of the threats. Despite the 
ultimate loss of their lives, the crews of these flights took heroic 
steps trying to thwart the terrorists' intentions and prevented further 
destruction. It is humbling to realize that many of our lives, as well 
as our beloved Capitol building, may have been saved by the sacrifices 
of the crew of flight 93.
  On October 1, another potentially disastrous event was averted on 
American Airlines Flight 1238 traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago, 
when a passenger attempted to break through the cockpit door to attack 
the flight crew. The cabin crew helped stop the attempt and ingeniously 
placed serving carts to secure the cockpit.
  On December 28, 2001, quick thinking flight attendants made the 
difference on American Airlines Flight 63 en route from Paris to Miami, 
when Richard Reid, an accused al Qaeda-trained terrorist, attempted to 
light a powerful explosive concealed in his shoes. An alert flight 
attendant led the rest of the cabin crew in a successful struggle to 
prevent a devastating explosion. Reid was restrained and ultimately 
arrested, but not before several flight attendants were injured in the 
battle to subdue Reid.
  I encourage flight attendants to continue to provide America's 
travelers with the service and security we need to revive our aviation 
industry. I urge my Senate colleagues to join with me in saluting and 
honoring America's flight attendants and by passing this resolution.

                          ____________________