[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 161 (Tuesday, October 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO ERIN REED, LOIS SUZUKI AND STEVE SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 23, 2007

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, on September 29, 2005, emergency flight 
nurses Erin Reed, Lois Suzuki and pilot Steve Smith gave their lives 
when their helicopter lost ontrol in inclement weather conditions after 
delivering a patient to a nearby hospital. This accident, like many of 
the increasing number of emergency medical service (EMS) fatal crashes, 
occurred under so-called ``Part 91'' regulations, which allow an EMS 
crew to fly in conditions which are more dangerous than what is 
permitted when a patient or an organ is on board.
  Since her death, Erin's family has joined a coalition of friends and 
family members who have lost loved ones in a medical flight. Their 
efforts are devoted to making air medical transports safer for the 
flight crew and patients who take to the skies for emergency medical 
care. With the support of this coalition, I am pleased to introduce 
bipartisan legislation today that will increase safety for all those on 
board an aircraft providing emergency medical services. This bill will 
eliminate the Part 91 regulations for certain flights and direct the 
Federal Aviation Administration to study and implement several other 
proposals to increase safety conditions for medical flights.
  I would like to recognize the efforts of the many families who have 
responded to their losses with determination to help others. I would 
particularly like to thank Stacey Friedman, Erin's sister, for her 
tireless efforts in advocating for changes that would protect 
caregivers like her sister. By enacting this legislation, we will not 
only honor the remarkable sacrifices of those who gave their lives 
while trying to save others, but in their honor we will also prevent 
similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

                          ____________________