[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2262-S2263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONTINENTAL AIRLINES FLIGHT 3407

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the lives and the 
memories of the victims of the tragic crash of Continental Airlines 
Flight 3407 in Clarence, NY, last night. Our Nation woke up this 
morning to the deeply saddening news that 50 lives were lost in this 
inexplicable tragedy, and our hearts, our prayers, and our minds are 
with the families and friends who lost a loved one, the first 
responders at the scene, and the residents of Clarence.
  I was deeply saddened to hear that one of the victims was Beverly 
Eckert, whose husband Sean Rooney perished in the tragic events of 
September 11. I knew Beverly. I worked with her and so admired her 
fight to make sure another 9/11 never happens again.
  Beverly was a national role model who turned tragedy into 
inspiration. She was traveling to Buffalo for what would have been her 
husband's 58th birthday, to take part in a presentation of a 
scholarship award in his memory at Canisius High School. She, and all 
the victims of this accident, will be greatly missed. Of course, the 
family members of the other victims, whose names have not been made 
public yet, will relate in the future episodes of quiet strength and 
bravery of their loved ones as well.
  I spoke with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood early this morning, 
and he reassured me that the Department of Transportation is taking 
quick action to figure out what caused this accident. Secretary LaHood 
told me the first responders who rushed to the

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scene immediately last night have been remarkably brave in their 
efforts to save lives.
  To all the brave men and women who risked their lives to protect the 
families who live in the area of the accident and to the many who are 
still on the ground fighting the fires that remain, thank you for your 
service.
  I also spoke, this morning, with Congressmen Chris Lee and Brian 
Higgins, county executive Chris Collins, and Clarence supervisor Scott 
Bylewski to offer help. I am comforted that everyone at the Federal, 
State, and local levels stands ready to provide whatever help is 
needed.
  Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the people of Clarence and 
the entire Buffalo area who were, no doubt, leaving for work and school 
with very heavy hearts this morning.
  As a Senator, I am proud to serve the people of western New York. 
They are a resilient community, and if there is any comfort to this 
tragedy, it is in knowing that their outreach to the victims' families 
will be generous and loving.
  Just last month, the world exalted when flight 1549 landed on the 
Hudson River without a single loss of life. Yet today we are faced with 
this horrible tragedy. At times such as this, the only thing that helps 
us is our faith that there is a greater wisdom that, at times such as 
this, is hard to understand.
  Again, I offer my deepest condolences to the victims' families and 
friends as we continue to learn more about the cause of this tragic 
accident.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Arizona.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I say to my colleague from New York that 
all of us join in expressing sympathy and sorrow at the loss of these 
wonderful Americans. Thank you for your eloquent words. They are deeply 
appreciated.
  Mr. President, I would like to mention to my colleagues that so far 
we have speaking requests from Senators Coburn, Enzi, Roberts, Bennett, 
Hutchison, Barrasso, Ensign, Thune, Kyl, Cornyn, Sessions, and then 
Alexander, Grassley, Brownback, and Graham. So I would urge my 
colleagues to come over so we can move forward with this process.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Illinois.

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