[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 28, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE HEROIC ACTIONS OF THE PILOT, CREW, AND RESCUERS OF US 
                          AIRWAYS FLIGHT 1549

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 26, 2009

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 84, legislation to honor the heroic efforts of Flight 1549's 
Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III, his flight crew, the First 
Responders and private citizens that prevented a catastrophic engine 
failure on a commercial aircraft from resulting in a single loss of 
life.
  Just five minutes after lifting off on January 15, 2009, Captain 
Sullenberger's aircraft was struck by a flock of birds, resulting in 
the loss of two of his engines. The instant those engines failed, 
Captain Sullenberger, his crew, the passengers entrusted to his care, 
and residents of the 9th Congressional District of New Jersey who were 
in the plane's potential flight path were at grave risk. And yet, 
rather than give in to panic, Captain Sullenberger wrestled his damaged 
aircraft into a controlled water landing--an act described in the Wall 
Street Journal as ``one of the rarest and most technically challenging 
feats in commercial aviation.''
  When his plane hit the water Captain Sullenberger and his flight 
crew--including First Officer Jeffrey Sikes and Flight Attendants 
Doreen Welsh, Donna Dent, and Sheila Dail--worked quickly and calmly to 
evacuate their passengers, not stopping until every man, woman and 
child was out of harm's way. Outside, they were aided by a growing 
flotilla not just of Coast Guard and police boats, but civilian ferries 
as well.
  Once Flight 1549 was emptied of passengers, Captain Sullenberger 
walked up and down the aisles of the sinking aircraft twice, only 
exiting when he was absolutely certain that he had discharged his duty 
to completely evacuate the plane. His grace under pressure, as well as 
that of the rescue workers and flight crew, ensured that an emergency 
in the air did not become a disaster on the ground.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting House 
Resolution 84. The courage, level-headed professionalism and sheer 
heroism of the Captain and crew of Flight 1549 are an inspiration to 
all Americans.

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