[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 93 (Monday, July 17, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H5253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H5253]]
            10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CRASH OF TWA FLIGHT 800

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, today is the 10th anniversary of 
the tragic crash of TWA Flight 800, which took the lives of 230 men and 
women off the coast of Long Island, near my congressional district. It 
is important that we keep alive the memory of those who perished over 
the Atlantic just moments after departing for home or on a school trip 
or to visit loved ones, and we must do all that we can to safeguard the 
flying public against future disasters.
  Just as importantly, the brave families of those who lost their loved 
ones during the Flight 800 disaster deserve our recognition, as do the 
emergency personnel, volunteers and neighbors who selflessly worked for 
days on end in the recovery efforts.
  Like other challenging times our Nation has faced, the reaction to 
the Flight 800 catastrophe brought out the best not only in my 
constituents, but in so many others in the surrounding towns, States 
and across the Nation who joined in mourning the loss of so many lives 
and helped a community recover from its most horrific tragedy.
  Throughout and despite their grief, the families of the victims 
worked tirelessly to build a permanent memorial with the help of Navy 
Seabees and thousands of dedicated local and building trade union 
members. Today this solemn monument serves as a constant reminder of 
our tremendous loss one decade ago.
  The memory of the passengers of Flight 800 lives on because of the 
continued work of people who will always remember what happened. I have 
visited the site of the Flight 800 Memorial many times. The recent 
completion of the monument offers some measure of closure to everyone 
who was affected by this terrible tragedy.
  In the 10 years since Flight 800, hundreds of thousands have visited 
the park in an acknowledgment of a shared sorrow for those who died. 
The monument ensures that future generations can do the same.
  As we recognize the 10th anniversary of the Flight 800 disaster, it 
is important that we take stock of our progress in preventing air 
disasters over the last decade.
  We have made some great strides in aviation safety, particularly, for 
example, with design upgrades for planes and an ongoing effort to 
mitigate fuel tank flammability, the cause of the Flight 800 crash.
  But what haven't we done? Regrettably, we have not addressed the 
underlying cause of the Flight 800 explosion. The FAA has delayed 
taking on this challenge for years, and we still do not have a final 
FAA directive that will protect every air traveler.
  The cause of the Flight 800 catastrophe was determined years ago, and 
we know how to prevent similar disasters. We have the technology to 
protect against another tragedy like the one witnessed 10 years ago, 
but to date we still don't have the mandate for change.
  Last year, I introduced H.R. 4174, the Transport Aircraft Fuel Tank 
Safety Act, which requires the FAA to retrofit all planes with new 
technology and to increase safety. In addition, I have recently 
petitioned the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to hold 
hearings on the safety of fuel tanks on airplanes and get to the bottom 
of why we don't upgrade all planes with the necessary technology.
  I am hopeful that my colleagues here in the Congress will work with 
me to bring an end to this delay. With the completion of the Flight 800 
monument, we have taken significant steps towards maintaining the 
memory of Flight 800, but we should also ensure that we don't have 
another Flight 800.
  I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the surviving 
families and friends of the victims of Flight 800, and to commend them 
on the grace and dignity with which they handled unspeakable pain.

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