[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 118 (Thursday, July 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               12TH ANNIVERSARY OF TWA FLIGHT 800 TRAGEDY

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                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2008

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, today is the 12th anniversary 
of the TWA Flight 800 tragedy, which took the lives of 230 men, women 
and children off the south shore of my district on Long Island.
  We must keep alive the memory of those who perished over the Atlantic 
on July 17, 1996--just 12 minutes after departing for home, school 
trips, and to visit loved ones.
  Just as important, the anguished families of the Flight 800 victims 
deserve our recognition. As do the emergency personnel, volunteers and 
other Long Islanders who selflessly worked for days on end in the 
recovery efforts.
  As we recall that fateful day, we must also examine what steps the 
FAA has taken to safeguard the flying public and prevent a similar 
catastrophe from occurring as a result of defective fuel tanks.
  After 12 years, the FAA finally issued a rule today requiring 
flammability reduction in new and existing fuel tanks, as well as new 
design standards and operating rules for retrofitting existing planes.
  Madam Speaker, again, my deepest condolences go to the surviving 
families and friends of the Flight 800 crash victims. And my thanks to 
everyone who helped memorialize those who died 12 years ago today and 
who have worked toward making sure the flying public is safer today.

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