[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 125 (Thursday, July 20, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H3874-H3875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
(Mr. LANGWORTHY asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. LANGWORTHY. Madam Speaker, today is a great day for public
safety. I thank my colleagues for passing my amendment in this year's
FAA reauthorization package.
Fourteen years ago, we tragically lost 49 lives when Colgan Air
Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo in Clarence, New York, due to pilot
inexperience.
This prompted Congress then to strengthen requirements for pilots to
ensure that something like this never happens again--and it has worked.
Since then, there has not been a single commercial airline crash in
the United States of America. One of those enhanced safety measures
required 1,500 hours of in-air training for pilots.
The rigorous training and practice gained during those hours ensure
that pilots are well-prepared to handle
[[Page H3875]]
emergencies, adverse weather conditions, and any unforeseen challenges
that might arise during flight.
Our amendment protected the integrity of the 1,500-hour flight
requirement to maintain the safety standards that passengers and crews
have come to expect.
I am grateful for the support of Representatives Higgins and Tenney,
and all of my colleagues who stood behind the 1500-hour rule and this
year's FAA reauthorization package.
More importantly, I am proud to honor the memory of those tragically
lost on Flight 3407 and the families that have fought for these
standards.
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