[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 4, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       MOMENT OF SILENCE IN REMEMBRANCE OF VICTIMS OF FLIGHT 5342

  (Mr. ESTES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. ESTES. Mr. Speaker, tonight we are gathered on the House floor to 
honor the men and women who tragically lost their lives on January 29. 
Together, we represent the districts and States impacted by the 
heartbreaking crash of Flight 5342 and a United States Army Black Hawk 
helicopter.
  American Eagle Flight 5342 left my hometown of Wichita, Kansas, at 
5:22 p.m. with 60 passengers and 4 crew members on board. They were 
young skaters, a rural Kansas couple, a college student, a group of 
friends returning from an annual hunting trip, and so many others who 
were taking a routine flight from the Air Capital to our Nation's 
Capital.
  Their lives came to a tragic end within view of the DCA runway when a 
collision occurred with a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River. 
As we know, all 64 passengers and 3 Army soldiers perished.
  As we mourn the loss of these 67 individuals, there are truly no 
words to adequately describe the heartbreak we feel. We grieve with the 
families and friends they left behind and pray for those in our 
districts who are still in shock at the loss of their loved ones. 
Together, we commit to finding answers and to working to ensure another 
tragedy like this doesn't happen again.
  In homes, churches, and community gatherings across the country, 
Americans have paused to honor the 67 souls who perished last week. 
Tonight, on this first meeting of the full House since the tragedy, we 
will do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House observe a moment of silence to remember 
the lives lost and the families and friends left behind.
  The SPEAKER. The Chair asks all Members in the Chamber, as well as 
Members and staff throughout the Capitol, to please rise for a moment 
of silence.

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