[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 115 (Thursday, September 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1568-E1569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  H. CON. RES. 401, RECOGNIZING THE HEROISM AND COURAGE DISPLAYED BY 
                   AIRLINE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS EACH DAY

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                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 2002

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 401, a 
resolution to recognize the heroism and courage displayed by airline 
flight attendants each day.
  The anniversary of the September 11 terrorist hijackings and attacks 
on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon is just two days away. All 
Americans remember and mourn the lives lost that tragic day.
  The world has changed for all of us. Before that time, flight 
attendants and their families and loved ones lived and worked with the 
knowledge that rare instances of mechanical failure or hijackers could 
endanger their lives. But no one imagined the dreadful assault of 
September 11, when terrorists turned four airborne planes into missiles 
used to attack thousands of Americans.
  That day, flight attendants again demonstrated their courage in the 
face of extreme danger. From all that we know of the final minutes on 
those flights, flight attendants worked to communicate with the ground, 
and in all likelihood helped prevent Flight 93, which crashed in rural 
Pennsylvania, from taking many more lives.
  I would like to bring my colleagues' attention to the heroism of 
Betty Ong, a flight attendant

[[Page E1569]]

on American Airlines Flight 11, whose family lives in my district of 
San Francisco. On September 11, Betty called the airline reservations 
center from the plane to sound the alarm and provide information about 
the terrorists who had taken over the plane. I am aware of the enormous 
pain and suffering her family has been experiencing and extend them my 
deepest sympathy. It is an honor to pay tribute to Betty and express my 
appreciation for her life and bravery in the face of enormous danger.
  Now, even stepping onto an airplane is an act requiring willpower and 
courage for many Americans. Yet flight attendants do it every day. 
Flight attendants deserve our respect, cooperation, courtesy, and 
commendation for their hard work and courage their hard work. I urge my 
colleagues to vote for this resolution.

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