[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             IN THAT MOMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DIANE E. WATSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2009

  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, to commemorate the heroism of the Captain 
and crew of US Airways Flight 1549, as well as the emergency personnel 
of the New York fire and police departments, Congresswoman Diane E. 
Watson would like to submit this poem to the Congressional Record.
  This poem is dedicated to the valor and heroism of Captain Chesley B. 
Sullenberger III; First Officer Jeffrey B. Skiles; flight attendants 
Sheila Dail, Doreen Welsh, and Donna Dent; the fine men and women of 
the New York fire and police Departments; the Coast Guard; ferry boat 
captains; and the citizens of New York.

                             In That Moment

     In . . .
     In that moment . . .
     When who lives or dies!
     But, to see another sunrise . . .
     All in their hand's which lies . . .
     All of those most precious lives . . .
     Whose loved ones, upon them rely
     Who will be left to cry . . .
     When high above, up in those blue skies . . .
     With just seconds to react . . .
     Just moments from the black . . .
     With eminent death approaching, the facts . . .
     With only a few choices . . .
     Listening, to their most inner voices . . .
     A lifetime of training . . .
     All for this one moment counting . . .
     With the time to live or die, so waning
     Most precious moments in time which lie . . .
     Now remaining . . .
     Determining, who lives and dies . . .
     With but no room for error . . .
     As born, all in this moment such heroes . . .
     While, all around them crisis looms . . .
     As they must keep their cool . . . as their fine hearts must 
           swoon . . .
     While, against all odds . . . they give to this our world 
           this jewel . . .
     This gift, which will now forever over our hearts so rule . . 
           .
     This moment, when they stood strong . . . with hearts full . 
           . .
     Full of courage and might, to win the day . . . to win that 
           night . . .
     To carry with us until we grow old . . .
     As God was with them on that day, in this miracle on 48th 
           street in so many ways . . .
     On A Wings of A Dove, as he helped bring them down so safe . 
           . .
     As City, once again must unite . . .
     Police Officers, Firefighters, Citizens, Coast Guard, Ferry 
           Boat Captains bringing the light . . .
     As the echoes of a past were all heard in their hearts that 
           night . . .
     A Gotham City, with Gotham Hearts . . . as on this day, all 
           did their part . . .
     And what child will be born?
     Who might save the world, or upon it such great things 
           unfurled . . .
     Because of that moment!
     And what loves will be worn? Given that second chance now to 
           now continue on . . .
     For only a future knows . . .
     From these moments as time will tell us . . . will show . . .
     When in that moment . . . Quiet Heroes so . . .
     We would discover, the true meaning of that word heroes . . . 
           our new lovers . . .
     Bless them, bless them all . . .
     For each and everyday, our lives on them so depend so all . . 
           .
     For we will long remember . . .
     This winter day, all in the embers . . . of our hearts . . .
     When, in the moment of truth . . .
     A Magnificent Captain and Crew gave us the proof . . .
     That miracles do come true . . .
     And how courage can come shining through . . .
     In That Moment . . .

                          ____________________