[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H2806-H2808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF CRASH OF CONTINENTAL 
                         CONNECTION FLIGHT 3407

  Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 183) expressing condolences to the families, 
friends, and loved ones of the victims of the crash of Continental 
Connection Flight 3407, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 183

       Whereas the people of New York have experienced a terrible 
     tragedy with the loss of 50 lives in the crash of Continental 
     Connection Flight 3407 in Clarence Center, New York, on 
     February 12, 2009;
       Whereas many of the victims of the crash were residents of 
     New York, particularly of the close-knit Western New York 
     community; and
       Whereas Federal, State, and local officials have cooperated 
     to respond to the emergency, investigate the accident, and 
     provide assistance to families devastated by the loss of 
     loved ones: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses condolences to the families, friends, and 
     loved ones of the victims of the crash of Continental 
     Connection Flight 3407;
       (2) honors those who lost their lives, including David 
     Borner, Linda Davidson, Ronald Davidson, Alison Des Forges, 
     Beverly Eckert, John J. Fiore, Ronald Gonzalez, Brad S. 
     Green, Sr., Zhaofang Guo, Kevin Johnston, Ellyce Kausner, 
     Goerges Karm, Nicole Korczykowski, Jerome Krasuski, Brian 
     Kuklewicz, Beth Kushner, Madeline Loftus, Lorin Maurer, 
     Donald McDonald, Coleman Mellett, Dawn Monachino, Jennifer 
     Neill, Gerry Niewood, Johnathan Perry, Mary E. Pettys, Donna 
     Prisco, Matilda Quintero, Marvin Renslow, Julie M. Ries, John 
     G. Roberts III, Kristin Safran, Rebecca Shaw, Ms. Jean Marie 
     Srnecz, Darren Tolsma, Susan Wehle, Ernest W. West, Douglas 
     Wielinski, Shibin Yao, Clay Yarber, and Joseph Zuffoletto, as 
     well as 10 others;
       (3) expresses sympathies to the people of Clarence Center, 
     the entire State of New York, and the Nation who grieve for 
     the victims;
       (4) commends the heroic actions of the first responders, 
     emergency services personnel, and air traffic controllers; 
     and
       (5) commends the hundreds of volunteers who worked together 
     to respond to the tragedy with tremendous courage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Arcuri) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 183.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to express my deepest sympathies to the families who lost 
loved ones in the tragic crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407. I 
can say, as an upstate New Yorker and as an American, the families and 
friends of those who were lost are in our thoughts and in our prayers.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in very strong support of this resolution today that's being 
introduced by my colleague from New York, Mr. Chris Lee. This 
resolution, House Resolution 183, expresses condolences to the 
families, friends and loved ones of the victims of the February 12, 
2009, accident of Flight 3407 which took place in Clarence Center, New 
York.
  There were 50 people on board Flight 3407, including passengers and 
crew. Sadly, all lives were lost. Our sympathy goes out to the victims 
and to each and every one of their families, friends and loved ones.
  Losing a loved one is tragic, but the loss is compounded when it's as 
the result of an unfortunate and unforeseen situation. I'm hopeful that 
this resolution will, in some small way, comfort the families and 
friends of all of those who lost their lives on Flight 3407.
  I also want to thank the first responders and those who are providing 
support and assistance to the families of the victims. Their efforts 
are appreciated.
  The National Transportation Safety Board is thoroughly investigating 
every aspect of this accident. The Board is responsible for determining 
the circumstances and cause of this accident, and they will report back 
to Congress. In the meantime, I want to assure the families, the 
public, the Members of Congress, that those charged with the 
investigation of this tragedy will not rest until the cause of this 
aviation accident has been determined. The loss of even one life in an 
aviation accident is unacceptable, but the American public should know 
that our commercial airlines today are both safe and reliable.
  The National Airspace System handles almost 50,000 flights per day 
and more than 7 million passengers annually. Since 2007, the commercial 
airline industry has maintained the lowest fatality accident rate in 
commercial aviation history. Up until this accident, the FAA reported 
no on-board fatalities in passenger operations in the past 2 years and 
now approaching almost 3 years with about 1.6 billion people 
transported during that period.
  Despite the amazing safety record, I wish we lived in a world where 
we could eliminate all accidents and risks. While I don't believe that 
we can do

[[Page H2807]]

that, I do believe that we can continue to work as effectively as 
possible to do everything we can to avoid these types of accidents in 
the future.
  Again, I want to express my condolences to the families, friends, and 
loved ones of the victims on board Flight 3407, and also to Mr. Chris 
Lee, my distinguished colleague from New York, and his constituents.
  I yield to my colleague from New York (Mr. Lee) such time as he may 
consume.
  Mr. LEE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding 
and appreciate the support from our State delegation, many of whom 
cosponsored this resolution.
  I especially want to thank Mr. Higgins and Ms. Slaughter who have 
exhibited untiring leadership in offering assistance in the days since 
this tragedy has struck.
  The night of Thursday, February 12, was going along like any other 
winter evening in the small town of Clarence. Clarence is located less 
than 20 miles from the city of Buffalo. At the home of the Wielinski 
family, 22-year-old Jill was watching television with her mother Karen, 
while her father, Doug, was in the dining room doing some housework. It 
was at that moment that Continental Flight 3407 carrying 49 passengers 
and crew struck the Wielinski home, taking Doug's life. All on board 
the plane were lost.
  Each and every soul is a significant loss to our community. Among 
them: a prominent human rights activist; a September 11th widow; a 
retired Air Force reservist; an accomplished jazz guitarist; the cantor 
at a Williamsville temple; the director of a youth service program; a 
program manager for Northrop Grumman; a nurse at Westfield Memorial 
Hospital; a second-year law student; the daughter of a Holocaust 
survivor; a Vietnam veteran with two Purple Hearts; and lastly, a 
personal friend who was expecting the birth of her first child due at 
the end of May.
  At that moment about a quarter mile away, Clarence Center Fire Chief 
David Case was also having a quiet evening at home when he heard on his 
radio that a plane had crashed and struck a house nearby. Chief Case 
was one of the first to arrive on the scene that night, but by no means 
was he by himself. Volunteers from throughout Clarence were assisted by 
crews from Newstead, Akron, Harris Hill, Rapids, East Amherst, 
Swormville, Amherst, Millgrove, Bowmansville, the Village of Lancaster, 
Brighton, and the Buffalo Niagara International Airport's Aircraft 
Rescue Firefighter unit.
  Their efforts were supported by hundreds of volunteers who gave their 
time and energy to support the first responders and the families of the 
victims.
  Last night, Chief Case sat in this very gallery just a handful of 
rows away from the First Lady as the President of the United States 
addressed Congress on the state of our Nation. Chief Case did not come 
here to accept the salutations normally afforded everyday heroes among 
us. He said he came ``only to be a representative of the men and women 
of Clarence Center Fire Company and all of the first responders.''
  To those first responders and all of the volunteers, I simply want to 
say thank you.
  Chief Case was indeed a fitting representative for a small and proud 
town that just last year celebrated its bicentennial. Clarence is where 
my wife and I chose to make our home, and it is where my 3-year-old son 
will grow up; and I hope that he, in turn, raises a family there as 
well.
  Since the night of this accident, we have been posting on our Web 
site messages from families of the victims. Thoughts and prayers have 
come in from all around the country. One message we received was from 
Holly Henderson, a Clarence resident, and it reads:
  ``I'm a Clarence resident and a frequent traveler. I thank all of 
those who were deeply concerned for me, my family and neighbors and ask 
that they continue to pray for the souls whose lives ended in such 
tragedy. It is awesome to see how the community has put up ribbons and 
have come together in this time of crisis. It confirms why I moved back 
to this area after being gone for so long and feel very proud to be 
part of this great community in western New York where the people are 
truly the best in the world.''
  Of course, this resolution is not nearly tribute enough to the 
memories of the victims and the courage of their families, and the 
echoes of the shock and grief we felt that long Thursday night are 
still with us. We can find comfort in the fact that even in tough times 
like these, families and communities come together, rally around one 
another and do whatever they can to help those in need.
  Again, I thank the members of our delegation for their support and 
for this resolution.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I urge 
all Members to support the resolution before us, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from 
Clarence for his leadership in bringing this resolution, and also I'd 
like to thank him for the courage that he showed. As soon as this 
happened, he immediately recognized where his duty was, and that was to 
be home in Clarence, and he immediately headed home to be there to help 
to show leadership, to show his constituents where his priorities were; 
and that was at home where he was needed most.

                              {time}  1630

  So I thank him for what he has done. Clearly, this has been a shock 
to his community and to the entire country. Certainly, while the whole 
country has felt it, no one has felt it more than western New York.
  I would like to yield 3 minutes to my colleague from western New York 
(Mr. Higgins).
  Mr. HIGGINS. Thank you, Mr. Arcuri. I, too, want to join you in 
commending our colleague, Chris Lee, for going back to assist in the 
recovery effort. I spent time with the Congressman on Saturday, where 
we toured the site with several other officials.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in offering 
sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the crash of 
Flight 3407.
  What was for many to be a joyous reuniting of family and friends 
became a time of unspeakable grief and sorrow. An ordinary evening in a 
home in a suburban Buffalo neighborhood became a family's tragic 
nightmare.
  The victims of this tragedy need our support and empathy during this 
difficult time in their lives. My community has demonstrated great 
strength and compassion as it mourns the loss of 50 lives of those 
loved ones, many of whom were vibrant members of the western New York 
community.
  Our community's response has included professional and spiritual 
counseling, as well as donated meals and thousands of letters offering 
sympathy and support. The families will undoubtedly experience 
difficulty and sadness in the days ahead, but I am confident that the 
loving embrace of the western New York community will continue to 
comfort and sustain them.
  Mr. Speaker, I also ask that you join me in thanking the first 
responders, including many police and firefighting agencies, who worked 
through the night and each succeeding day in the recovery effort. Their 
work is an ineffably beautiful tribute to the decency of the human 
spirit and to their professionalism. They deserve our respect, our 
admiration, and our deepest gratitude.
  Mr. Speaker, this tragedy and the loss to the Buffalo community is 
profound, but the love and support of our community is much greater. I 
am thankful to those dedicated individuals who responded to this 
disaster and to those who are offering counseling and support to the 
families and workers still trying to come to grips with this terrible 
tragedy.
  We will never forget those we lost that night. I am pleased to join 
my colleague, Chris Lee, in offering support to all of those who knew 
them and who loved them. I thank Chris Lee for bringing this resolution 
to the floor.
  Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to again thank my 
colleague, Mr. Lee, for his leadership on this bill. And I would urge a 
``yes'' vote on this resolution.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, less than two weeks ago we learned about 
a terrible accident in Clarence, New York, a few miles outside of 
Buffalo.
  Our worst fears were confirmed when it was reported that many lives 
were lost.

[[Page H2808]]

  I know that the pain of the families and friends who lost loved ones 
on Continental Connection Flight 3407 is immeasurable. My prayers are 
with them today and always.
  An accident like this is always a tragedy but when it happens so 
close to your home, it is particularly devastating.
  In Western New York we take care of each other.
  After the accident, first responders and ordinary citizens rushed to 
the scene to do their best to save lives.
  They are heroes to us for their tremendous efforts.
  As we grieve and pay tribute to those we have lost, I stand in unity 
with my colleagues, state, and local officials, to continue assisting 
our community during this difficult time.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 183, 
which expresses sympathy to those who lost family, friends, and loved 
ones in the tragic crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407. The 
lives of all 49 passengers and crew on the flight were lost on February 
12, 2009, when Flight 3407 crashed in Clarence Center, New York, about 
5 miles outside of Buffalo. The plane crashed into a house on the 
ground, killing one person inside as well.
  The Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 was en route from Newark liberty 
International Airport and it had begun its descent into Buffalo Niagara 
International Airport. The flight was operated by Colgan Air. The 
flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder that were recovered 
from the crash reveal that the plane underwent severe changes in pitch 
at about 1,600 feet above ground level before it crashed.
  Emergency personnel responded to the scene immediately after the 
crash to quell the fire and contain the accident scene. The National 
Transportation Safety Board also responded, sending investigators to 
the site to conduct an in-depth investigation. Not much is known for 
sure at this point. It is known that the plane was flying in icing 
conditions, on autopilot with the de-icing system activated. The NTSB 
investigation will likely explore many issues, such as icing, pilot 
training and procedures, and aircraft design. The Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure will watch the investigation as it 
unfolds with keen interest.
  This accident, along with other recent aviation safety events, 
underscores the importance of not lowering our guard on aviation 
safety. It is unfortunate that this tragic event occurred. I hope that 
the findings of the investigation will lead to further improvements in 
aviation safety that will prevent this type of disaster from occurring 
again.
  I thank the gentleman from New York, Mr. Lee, for bringing H. Res. 
183 to the floor, and my sympathies go out to the people of your 
district. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Arcuri) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 183.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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