[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2403-S2404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING THE BRAVERY OF THE INITIAL RESPONDERS IN THE BALTIMORE 
              HARBOR WATER TAXI ACCIDENT OF MARCH 6, 2004

  Ms. MIKULSKI. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the 
consideration of S. 312, submitted earlier today by myself and Senator 
Sarbanes, expressing condolences to the people who died in the 
Baltimore water taxi and our appreciation for the brave rescue efforts.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 312) commending the bravery of the 
     initial responders in the Baltimore Harbor water taxi 
     accident of March 6, 2004.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. I ask unanimous consent also that the resolution and 
preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid upon 
the table, and any statements relating thereto appear in the Record as 
if read without any intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 312) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 312

       Whereas on Saturday, March 6, 2004, a water taxi overturned 
     in Baltimore Harbor during a sudden and vicious storm;
       Whereas 25 passengers were thrown into the Harbor, into 
     frigid 43 degree water, with little chance of survival;
       Whereas tragically, 1 person died and 3 people are presumed 
     to be dead;
       Whereas if not for the immediate action of the initial 
     responders, more lives would certainly have been lost;
       Whereas the initial responders demonstrated extraordinary 
     bravery in their heroic response in rescuing the passengers;
       Whereas after noticing the accident, the initial responders 
     rushed to the scene, piloting their vessel to the accident 
     site and immediately diving into the frigid waters in their 
     street clothes and boots to help those clinging for their 
     lives;
       Whereas the initial responders not only saved those 
     clinging to the boat for survival but used their exceptional 
     skills and ingenuity to elevate the capsized boat to rescue 
     those passengers trapped beneath;
       Whereas the team of initial responders worked together to 
     pull the passengers out of the water, identify those who 
     needed immediate medical attention, turn the Fort McHenry 
     Drill Hall into a triage center to identify the victims who 
     were most in need, and provide all with dry clothing and warm 
     blankets;
       Whereas it was a team effort to rescue and save those 
     stranded in the freezing Chesapeake waters that involved 
     rescuers in the water, on the pier, and at Fort McHenry;
       Whereas we commend the courage and resolution of Maryland's 
     outstanding initial responders whose quick reaction to this 
     terrible accident saved lives; and
       Whereas we praise these initial responders--the Navy 
     Reservists, Coast Guard, Maritime Fire Department, Baltimore 
     Fire Department, Bowleys Quarters Search and Rescue Team, and 
     the emergency medical team--who worked together as a team to 
     rescue people and save lives: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) pays tribute to the victims of this terrible accident 
     and expresses its condolences to their families;
       (2) commends the initial responders in the Baltimore water 
     taxi accident of March 6, 2004, for their bravery, quick 
     thinking, courage, and ingenuity in rescuing the passengers 
     of the water taxi that capsized after a sudden and vicious 
     storm swept over the Baltimore Harbor; and
       (3) commends the team of initial responders for this 
     extraordinary demonstration of their ongoing commitment and 
     dedication to saving lives.

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I believe we have agreed to the 
parliamentary aspects of this effort.
  I rise to pay tribute to those lost in the Baltimore Harbor water 
taxi accident, and to express great gratitude to the brave rescuers who 
saved many of the lives, and, of course, to express condolences to the 
families.
  Let me tell the Senate about what happened, very briefly.
  On Saturday, a beautiful, mild afternoon in Baltimore's Harbor became 
a nightmare. A sudden storm arose. A beloved water taxi capsized in the 
Baltimore Harbor. Twenty-five people were thrown into the water. They 
fought for their lives in freezing cold water.
  They were families, tourists, Maryland residents, people from across 
the country, even members of a National Guard unit visiting us.
  Two women tragically lost their lives, including a beloved pediatric 
nurse. One young girl is still fighting for here live.
  Three people still remain missing: a couple about to be engaged and a 
6-year-old boy on a trip with his father and mother and two other 
siblings.
  I express my heartfelt condolences to those families who are 
suffering the loss of a loved one. The victims and their families are 
in our thoughts and our prayers.
  But I also want to bring to the Senate's attention what happened with 
our very brave initial responders.
  This accident happened off of Fort McHenry. Stationed there is a 
Naval Reserve unit. They happened to be on duty as part of their 
weekend training. At the same time, located there is the Baltimore City 
Fire Department Maritime Unit.
  The minute this boat went over, as this storm hit, a Naval Reserve 
master chief petty officer saw the boat capsize and sounded the alarm 
to the Navy Reserve unit. Without hesitation, 20 men got on a boat that 
was a relic from World War II, that was used as a landing craft, and 
with great skill they began to proceed out to this capsized boat, 
exactly as the Baltimore City Maritime Fire Department saw it. And then 
without even putting wet suits on because there was not time--the water 
was 44 degrees--the firefighters jumped

[[Page S2404]]

overboard. The Navy came in as a rescue mission, maneuvering this 
landing craft, and coming up close. As they lowered its bowel ramp, 
they used it as a sidewalk into the water. The Navy men walked into 
that water, forming a human chain, grabbing people, and pulling them 
out. And then they skillfully negotiated right up to the capsized boat 
and used the ramp as a crane to lift it up, and out came three people 
who had been trapped underneath.
  Once again, the Navy rescued two and the fire department rescued one. 
Now two people are dead. Three are missing. Indeed, it is a very 
melancholy situation, but if the Navy had not responded the way they 
did, and if the fire department had not been there, the tragic 
consequences would have been far more significant.
  That kind of bravery, jumping into the water, risking hypothermia is 
something we need to recognize. These initial responders did it 
quickly, without thinking and without hesitation and without stopping. 
Their quick thinking and all of their training and all of their 
ingenuity and all of their bravery and all of their gallantry helped 
save 20 lives.
  Our terrific Baltimore emergency workers back on shore began to take 
the people to the hospital. On shore, the Navy took their drill room 
and turned it into a triage center. I am telling you, they provided 
emergency medical care. They were taking blankets and clothing and even 
their own shirts and socks and giving it to those who came from the 
freezing cold water. We could have faced a greater loss had it not been 
for them.

  When I went to visit with them yesterday, I said: I want to go to the 
Senate to tell your story. As I gathered their names, they said: We 
don't want to be singled out. We're Navy. We're the fire department.
  They wanted to be known for the team they belong to. They told me 
they were part of a team, that they needed each other, and that they 
counted on each other, and it was the team effort that saved their 
lives.
  They do that every day. The fire department and the Navy train every 
day to save lives. They were there when we needed them, and they were 
best at what we needed them for.
  Now Baltimore fire rescue workers continue to recover the bodies of 
the victims. Indeed, it is a chilling job, but we want to be able to 
bring those bodies back home.
  I salute our initial responders. I salute those who are now engaged 
in the recovery activity. I thank God for the emergency medical team 
that whisked them to the hospital to take care of their hypothermia, 
their cardiac arrest.
  It was a tragic day in Baltimore, but the heroism of Baltimore shines 
as a beckon to deal with their sorrow. That is why I offer this 
resolution today. I ask that the Senate and my colleagues join in 
expressing our gratitude for them and our condolences to those families 
of lost loved ones.
  I thank the Chair and thank the Senator from Idaho for his courtesy.
  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Maryland. In fact, 
I appreciate the Senator from Maryland coming to the floor today and 
sharing with us, the Senate, and the country this incredible example of 
how these first responders can make such an important difference when a 
tragedy strikes. Those in Maryland are to be commended for this 
response.

                          ____________________