[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 170 (Tuesday, November 17, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H13026-H13029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING COAST GUARD AND MARINE CORPS AIRCRAFT PILOTS LOST IN 
                               CALIFORNIA

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 891) expressing the gratitude of the House of 
Representatives for the service to our Nation of the Coast Guard and 
Marine Corps aircraft pilots and crewmembers lost off the coast of 
California on October 29, 2009, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 891

       Whereas on the evening of October 29, 2009, a Coast Guard 
     C-130 aircraft with two pilots and five crewmembers on board 
     was involved in a search and rescue mission off the coast of 
     California;
       Whereas at the same time, a Marine Corps AH-1W Super Cobra 
     carrying two pilots was involved in a military escort mission 
     nearby;
       Whereas the two aircraft are suspected to have collided 
     while traveling east of San Clemente Island, California;
       Whereas the following crew members of the Coast Guard C-130 
     are missing and presumed to have lost their lives in the line 
     of duty: Lt. Cmdr. Che J. Barnes of Capay, California; Lt. 
     Adam W. Bryant, of Crewe, Virginia; Chief Petty Officer John 
     F. Seidman of Stockton, California; Petty Officer 2nd Class 
     Carl P. Grigonis of Mayfield Heights, Ohio; Petty Officer 2nd 
     Class Monica L. Beacham of Decaturville, Tennessee; Petty 
     Officer 2nd Class Jason S. Moletzsky of Norristown,

[[Page H13027]]

     Pennsylvania; and Petty Officer 3rd Class Danny R. Kreder II, 
     of Elm Mott, Texas;
       Whereas the following crew members of the Marine Corps 
     helicopter are missing and presumed to have lost their lives 
     in the line of duty: Maj. Samuel Leigh of Kennebec, Maine, 
     and 1st Lt. Thomas Claiborne of Douglas County, Colorado;
       Whereas the men and women of the Coast Guard are ``Always 
     Ready'' to safeguard the United States against all hazards 
     and threats at our ports, at sea, and around the world; and
       Whereas the men and women of the Marine Corps are ``Always 
     Faithful'' to their mission of defending the United States on 
     the ground, in the air, and by sea, in every corner of the 
     globe: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives expresses its 
     gratitude for the service to our Nation of the Coast Guard 
     and Marine Corps aircraft pilots and crewmembers lost off the 
     coast of California on October 29, 2009, and extends its 
     condolences to their family, friends, and loved ones.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Cummings) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
LoBiondo) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 891.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H. Res. 891, as 
amended, a resolution expressing the gratitude of the House of 
Representatives for the service of the air crewmembers of Coast Guard 
aircraft 1705 and a Marine Corps AH-1 Super Cobra helicopter who were 
lost when these aircraft collided near San Clemente Island, California, 
on October 29 of this year.
  On board the Coast Guard C-130 were seven Coast Guard members who 
were conducting a search-and-rescue mission at the time of the terrible 
accident. These crewmembers were Lieutenant Commander Che J. Barnes, a 
17-year Coast Guard veteran who commanded Coast Guard 1705 and is 
survived by his father and three brothers, including a twin brother; 
Lieutenant Adam W. Bryant, the copilot of CG-1705 and a 2003 graduate 
of the Coast Guard Academy who is survived by his parents and brother; 
Chief Petty Officer John F. Seidman, the flight engineer who had served 
more than 20 years in the Coast Guard and is survived by his wife, 
parents and brother; Petty Officer 2nd Class Carl P. Grigonis, the CG-
1705 navigator who was the father of a young son and whose wife is 
expecting a daughter; Petty Officer 2nd Class Monica L. Beacham, the 
flight's radio operator, who leaves a husband and a young daughter to 
mourn; Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason S. Moletzsky, an air crewmember 
survived by his fiance, parents and two sisters; and Petty Officer 3rd 
Class Danny R. Kreder, II, drop master, survived by his wife, parents 
and two brothers.

                              {time}  1345

  On board the Marine Corps AH-1 Super Cobra were two pilots: Major 
Samuel Leigh, who had served two tours in Iraq and whose service in the 
Marine Corps maintained his family's long tradition of military 
service; and First Lieutenant Thomas Claiborne, a magna cum laude 
graduate of the University of Colorado.
  These individuals dedicated their lives to serving the United States 
of America. They protected our Nation from the many threats we face, 
and they selflessly placed their lives in harm's way to aid those in 
distress. Their terrible loss is a reminder of the risks that the 
members of our Armed Forces face while conducting their many missions.
  Our thoughts and our prayers are with the families of each of these 
servicemembers and with all the colleagues they have left behind in the 
United States Coast Guard and the Marine Corps. Our thoughts and 
prayers are also with all of the members of our Armed Forces who are 
serving our Nation now on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan and 
with the families of the thousands who have given their lives in 
defense of our great Nation's freedom on those two battlefields in each 
of our Nation's conflicts.
  I commend Congresswoman Sanchez, the Chair of the Committee on 
Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global 
Counterterrorism, for her work on H. Res. 891. I urge its adoption by 
the House today, and I express my gratitude for the service of the 
members of the Coast Guard and Marine Corps recognized by this 
resolution.

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                Washington, DC, November 13, 2009.
     Hon. James L. Oberstar,
     Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and 
         Infrastructure, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: On November 5, 2009, the House 
     Resolution 891, ``Expressing the gratitude of the House of 
     Representatives for the service to our Nation of the Coast 
     Guard and Marine Corps aircraft pilots and crewmembers lost 
     off the coast of California on October 29, 2009, and for 
     other purposes,'' was introduced in the House. As you know, 
     this measure was referred to the Committee on Transportation 
     and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed 
     Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
     Speaker.
       Our Committee recognizes the importance of H. Res. 891 and 
     the need for the legislation to move expeditiously. 
     Therefore, while we have a valid claim to jurisdiction over 
     this legislation, the Committee on Armed Services will waive 
     further consideration of H. Res. 891. I do so with the 
     understanding that by waiving further consideration of the 
     resolution, the Committee does not waive any future 
     jurisdictional claims over similar measures.
       I would appreciate the inclusion of this letter and a copy 
     of your response in the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of the measure on the House floor.
           Very truly yours,
                                                      Ike Skelton,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and 
           Infrastructure,
                                Washington, DC, November 13, 2009.
     Hon. Ike Skelton,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Skelton: I write to you regarding H. Res. 
     891, expressing the gratitude of the House of Representatives 
     for the service to our Nation of the Coast Guard and Marine 
     Corps aircraft pilots and crewmembers lost off the coast of 
     California on October 29, 2009, and for other purposes.
       I agree that provisions in H. Res. 891 are of 
     jurisdictional interest to the Committee on Armed Services. I 
     acknowledge that by forgoing further consideration, your 
     Committee is not relinquishing its jurisdiction.
       This exchange of letters will be inserted in the 
     Congressional Record as part of the consideration of this 
     legislation in the House.
       I look forward to working with you as we prepare to pass 
     this important legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                          James L. Oberstar, M.C.,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of this resolution, H. Res. 891, and thank 
the sponsor for the introduction. Our Nation suffered a tragic loss 
last month when seven coastguardsmen and two marines were killed when 
their military aircraft collided off the coast of California. These men 
and women died while performing critically important missions for our 
Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a very tragic reminder to the entire Nation of 
the sacrifices that our men and women are making for all the rest of 
us. They put their lives on the line each and every day. Some people 
think that only happens in the theater of war, but in reality it 
happens every day with every man and woman who is serving our Nation.
  We join their families and their friends and their loved ones in 
mourning their passing and we pay tribute to the ultimate sacrifice 
they have made in service to our country, another reminder that as they 
put on the uniform, this is an all-volunteer Army, Navy, Air Force, and 
Coast Guard and Marines that serve our Nation so adequately and so 
well, putting the Nation first, putting the Nation before themselves. I 
can't imagine the loss the families must be feeling with what should 
have been just a routine mission.
  The investigation into the cause of the accident has just begun, but 
I hope we will have the results soon and that we can take appropriate 
actions to ensure that our armed services have the

[[Page H13028]]

tools they need to prevent a similar tragedy from ever occurring again.
  I will now reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
sponsor of this legislation, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Loretta Sanchez).
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. I thank both chairmen. Thank you 
so much for allowing me to put forward this resolution and to pass it 
today on the House floor.
  Mr. Chairman, as a member of both the Homeland Security Committee and 
the Armed Forces Committee here in the House of Representatives, I 
introduced this resolution on the 1-week anniversary of the tragic 
events that occurred off our coast of California. Let me remind you 
where this occurred was maybe, at the most, an hour's drive from where 
I live.
  On Thursday, October 29, the Federal Aviation Administration reported 
that a Coast Guard C-130 plane and a Marine Corps AH-1W Cobra 
helicopter crashed off the coast while they were both conducting 
separate missions. We honor the nine men and women who lost their lives 
in that crash and we send our condolences to their families and their 
friends and their loved ones.
  As the motto states, ``Always Ready,'' the Coast Guard defends the 
shores of this great country daily, and we sometimes forget our unsung 
heroes. Tasked with multiple missions every day, the Coast Guard relies 
on its skills and the expertise of the personnel to stop drug runners, 
to perform search and rescue operations, and to secure our ports and 
our waterways.
  It saddens me that we lost seven of these brave men and women last 
week while on duty as they were conducting a search and rescue effort. 
In addition, the two Marine Corps pilots that lost their lives fully 
lived their Corps motto of ``Always Faithful.'' Their sacrifice while 
on a military training exercise off the coast of California echoes the 
sacrifice and the risk that all our men and women in uniform face in 
the armed services.
  Both the Coast Guard and the Marine Corps serve globally and, let us 
not forget, locally to protect our communities and to provide 
humanitarian aid when it's necessary. We must not forget those 
sacrifices, their missions, and that at any time anything can go wrong. 
And we must always remember those that we have lost during their time 
of service.
  I know the Coast Guard had a memorial service Friday in Sacramento 
which, unfortunately, I was unable to go to, but I felt that it was 
important to introduce this resolution at this time to honor those that 
died. These brave individuals fulfilled their commitment to serve and 
to defend the United States at any cost. Of course, they sacrificed and 
gave the biggest cost, so our eternal gratitude and respect go to them.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring these brave individuals 
by supporting this resolution.
  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may 
consume to my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger).
  Mr. HERGER. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for House Resolution 
891, which honors the two marines and seven members of the Coast Guard 
who lost their lives during a rescue mission off the coast of 
California on October 29. We're grateful for their service and 
sacrifice and express our heartfelt condolences to all of their loved 
ones.
  One of the fallen members of the Coast Guard was Che Barnes. Che grew 
up on a family farm in Capay Valley, northern California, located in my 
district that I represent. From an early age, Che was fascinated with 
planes. He worked hard to earn money to pay for flight lessons. He flew 
his first solo flight at the young age of 16. He joined the Coast Guard 
so that he could use his love of flying to rescue those stranded at 
sea.
  It is tragic but fitting that he lost his life doing something he 
loved--flying in the Coast Guard and serving his Nation and fellow man. 
By all accounts, he was an excellent pilot and an even better person.
  May God bless and comfort his family and friends.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. I yield 5 minutes to the chairman of the committee, the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar).
  Mr. OBERSTAR. I thank the gentleman from Maryland again, the Chair of 
the Coast Guard Subcommittee, for his diligent work on this very tragic 
resolution. It is very important to pay recognition to those who lost 
their lives. I was very deeply touched by the remarks of the 
gentlewoman from California, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
LoBiondo) and Chairman Cummings.
  These are courageous servicemen and -women, those in the U.S. Coast 
Guard, those in the U.S. Marine Corps, our oldest service unit, which 
predates the establishment of our own Nation. The Coast Guard itself 
was the third act of the first session of the first Congress by this 
committee, the Committee on Rivers and Harbors, that established the 
Revenue Cutter Service to collect duties on inbound cargoes and repay 
the debts of the Revolutionary War.
  The Revenue Cutter Service later became the U.S. Coast Guard. That 
Coast Guard every year responds to over 60,000 calls for help, every 
year saves over 5,000 lives. It is tragic that in the course of their 
search and rescue service that Coast Guard men and women should have 
lost their lives.
  Now there is an investigation underway by the Navy and the Coast 
Guard jointly inquiring into the causes of this tragedy, hopefully for 
the purpose of unraveling that collision, but also to learn lessons to 
avoid such incidents in the future. This incident occurred in military-
controlled airspace, airspace controlled by the U.S. Navy from an 
onshore facility at San Diego.
  The Coast Guard's C-130 had a data recorder on board. Search is 
underway to hopefully locate that data recorder and gain useful 
information about the circumstances under which the collision occurred. 
It was at twilight, it was at dusk. Very hard to distinguish and 
effectively operate under the rules of see and avoid. But there must be 
more at stake here. That C-130 was loaded with electronic equipment for 
detection of vessels or persons in the water, and one has to assume it 
had equipment to detect proximity of another aircraft.
  We have to unravel those facts and understand what occurred in order 
to avoid such circumstances in the future and engage the necessary 
training for personnel or install on board both helicopters and C-130-
type aircraft traffic collision avoidance systems, which the Navy 
initiated 40 years ago and which is now aboard all commercial 
airliners.
  Unfortunately, the National Transportation Safety Board, at least at 
the outset, will not be engaged in the investigation. I'm of the view 
that the NTSB should be a partner in any such investigations of 
military aircraft in U.S. territorial airspace. That is a matter for 
another time, but as we pay tribute to and acknowledge those who gave 
their lives in service of this country in pursuance of their mission, I 
think it's important to recall that there is more we can and must do to 
improve safety in the domestic airspace, including safety under the 
control of our military units.

                              {time}  1400

  There will be further attention paid to this issue. We will pursue 
the safety issues engaged in this tragedy. But for the moment, we must 
mourn the loss of those crew members whom Mr. Cummings already noted in 
his remarks.
  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble).
  Mr. COBLE. I thank my friend from New Jersey for yielding, and I 
commend the gentlelady from California for having introduced this very 
significant resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment or two to express our 
condolences to the families, friends and members of our Armed Forces 
associated with the crew of the Coast Guard C-130 and the Marine Corps 
AH-1W Super Cobra who collided on October 29, 2009, off the California 
coast.
  Mr. Speaker, it's difficult to lose servicemembers under any 
circumstances, and this accident is no exception. The seven members of 
the Coast Guard C-130 crew were in the midst of a search-and-rescue 
mission while the Marine Corps Super Cobra

[[Page H13029]]

was involved in a military escort mission. These servicemembers were 
answering the call of duty to protect and serve others and paid the 
ultimate sacrifice. As a former Coast Guardsman and a Member of 
Congress, I believe it is appropriate to recognize their service and 
honor their lives. This resolution is a significant gesture of 
expression to show our gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, we have no other speakers, so I will 
continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LoBIONDO. Once again, Madam Speaker, we join with the Nation in 
our thoughts and prayers for the families and for those who have lost 
their lives in honoring all those who serve. I urge all of my 
colleagues to support the resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Once again, I urge all of our Members to vote in favor of this very, 
very important resolution. And I will say to the families of these 
service persons that they are in our prayers. We thank all of our 
personnel for what they do every day, so often putting their lives on 
the line so that we might enjoy the freedoms that we do enjoy.
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. 
Res. 891 which recognizes and honors the Coast Guard and Marine Corps 
aircraft pilots and crewmembers who lost their lives off the coast of 
Southern California on October 29, 2009.
  Let me take a moment to commend Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, who 
hails from my home state of California, for her leadership in bringing 
this resolution to the floor and giving us the opportunity both to 
mourn our loss of these individuals and to thank the Coast Guard and 
the Marine Corps for their brave service to this country.
  I was truly devastated when I heard the news on October 29, 2009, of 
a collision between a Coast Guard transport plane and a Marine Corps 
helicopter off the coast of Southern California, not far from my 
district. At the same time, I was deeply grateful for those members of 
the Coast Guard and the Navy who immediately went out and conducted an 
intense search and rescue mission to locate any possible survivors of 
the crash.
  We are indebted to the men and women who dedicate their lives to the 
Coast Guard and the Marine Corps. Even in the face of a tragedy such as 
this one, one that affects members of their own community, these brave 
men and women are ready and willing to serve their country in whatever 
way necessary. I support this resolution and urge my colleagues to do 
the same.
  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, today the House of Representatives 
recognizes the service and sacrifice of the members of the United 
States Coast Guard and the United States Marine Corps who were 
tragically killed during exercises off the coast of California three 
weeks ago.
  On October 29, 2009, a Coast Guard C-130 plane and a Marine AH-1 
Cobra helicopter collided off the coast of Southern California. The 
Marine pilots were conducting training about 15 miles off San Clemente 
Island when they collided with the U.S. Coast Guard plane, which was 
based out of the Coast Guard Air Station in Sacramento, CA.
  These brave Marines and Coast Guardsmen dedicated their lives to 
protecting our freedom and safety. Such tragedies are a reminder of the 
dangers all men and women of our armed forces face, whether they are 
stationed in Afghanistan, California, or anywhere else in the world.
  H. Res. 891 offers Members of the House of Representatives an 
appropriate opportunity to express our thoughts and prayers to families 
and friends of these service members. Our hearts are with them during 
this difficult period.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Chu). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 891, as amended.
  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. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  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.

                          ____________________