[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 40 (Monday, March 3, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H935-H937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND LOVED ONES OF THE
VICTIMS OF THE CRASH OF AMERICAN EAGLE FLIGHT 5342 AND PAT 25
Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 153) expressing condolences to the families,
friends, and loved ones of the victims of the crash of American Eagle
Flight 5342 and PAT 25, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 153
Whereas the people of Wichita, Kansas, and the people of
the National Capital Region have experienced a terrible
tragedy with the loss of 67 lives in the crash of American
Eagle Flight 5342 and U.S. Army flight callsign ``PAT 25''
near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport outside of
Washington, District of Columbia, on January 29, 2025;
Whereas many of the victims of the crash were residents of,
or connected to, Wichita, Kansas, colloquially known as the
``Air Capital of the World'' for the city's historic role in
aviation; and
Whereas many 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 American Eagle
Flight 5342 and PAT 25;
(2) honors those who lost their lives, including Franco
Aparicio, Luciano Aparicio, Sarah Lee Best, Brielle Beyer,
Justyna Beyer, Jonathan D. Boyd, Jonathan Jay Campos, James
``Tommy'' Thomas Clagett Jr., Chris Collins, Casey Laurance
Crafton, Pete "PJ" Diaz, Kiah Duggins, Chief Warrant Officer
Andrew Loyd Eaves, Danasia Brown Elder, James ``Brian''
Ellis, Ian Douglas Epstein, Lindsey Denae Fields, Jinna Han,
Jin Han, Cory Haynos, Stephanie Haynos, Roger Haynos,
Alexander ``Alex'' Gordon Huffman, Asra Hussain-Raza, Steve
Johnson, Julia Kay, Sean Kay, Elizabeth Anne Keys, Alexandr
``Sasha'' Kirsanov, Spencer Lane, Christine Conrad Lane,
Samuel ``Sam'' Walter Lilley, Alydia Steele Livingston,
Everly Pearl Livingston, Donna Livingston, Peter Livingston,
Captain Rebecca M. Lobach, Pergentino Noble Malabed Jr.,
Grace Maxwell, Charles Douglas McDaniel, Dustin Michael
Miller, Melissa Jane Nicandri, Staff Sergeant Ryan Austin
O'Hara, Vikesh Patel, Jesse Jameson Pitcher, Robert ``Rob''
Alan Prewitt, Lori Ann Girard Schrock, Robert ``Bob'' Ryan
Schrock, Wendy Jo Shaffer, Evgenia Shishkova, Vadim Naumov,
Michael ``Mikey'' Bret Stovall, Olesya Taylor, Olivia Ter,
Inna Volyanskaya, Angela Yang, Zheheng ``Lily'' Li, Edward
Zhou, Yu Zhou, Kaiyan Mao, and 7 others.
(3) expresses sympathies to the people of Wichita, the
entire state of Kansas, the National Capital Region, the
Nation, and the multiple countries who grieve for the
victims; and
(4) commends the heroic actions of the first responders,
emergency services personnel, and all those who aided in the
recovery efforts in freezing waters.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Kansas (Mr. Mann) and the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Davids) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kansas.
General Leave
Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
insert extraneous material into the Record on H. Res. 153.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Kansas?
There was no objection.
Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 153, which expresses
condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of
the crash of American Flight 5342 and PAT 25.
This is a bipartisan resolution to honor the 67 lives that were lost
during the tragic collision that occurred over the Potomac River on
January 29, 2025.
January 29 is typically a day of celebration in Kansas. From
Manhattan to Goodland, Topeka to Liberal, Kansas City to Dodge City,
Kansans come together to celebrate the rich history of Kansas and the
anniversary of our statehood.
January 29, 2025, changed the meaning of this day for Kansas and for
the country forever. The world lost 67 bright, innocent lives that day,
and I speak for all Americans when I say that this is a day that we
will never ever forget.
When we celebrate Kansas Day in years to come, we will also feel the
nudging of the somber emotions aroused by this tragic accident. We will
remember our fellow Americans whose lives were tragically lost:
farmers, parents, professors, college students with bright futures
taken from us far too soon.
For more than a century, the United States has led the world in
aviation safety and innovation. Wichita has been known as the Air
Capital of the World for more than a century due to our historic ties
to aviation history. Although tragic accidents like these are rare,
none of us are strangers to the hazards involved in man's pursuit of
flight.
We must continue to strive to learn as much as we can about this
accident so that it never ever happens again.
H. Res. 153 also lauds the heroism displayed by the many local,
State, and Federal officials who sprang into action to perform recovery
efforts. These men and women are heroes who demonstrated tremendous
respect for the fallen, working in cold temperatures and icy waters for
several days.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this legislation and reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume. I rise in support of H. Res. 153, expressing condolences to
the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the plane crash
of American Eagle Flight 5342 and U.S. Army call sign PAT 25,
introduced by my colleagues from Kansas, Representatives Ron Estes and
Tracey Mann. I thank both Congressman Estes and Congressman Mann for
their leadership on this matter as well as the leadership and
cooperation of the entire Kansas congressional delegation.
The last couple of months have been heartbreaking and trying. It has
been a hard time for our country and the U.S. aviation system. There
have been numerous accidents, with the Potomac DCA midair collision
being among the most tragic.
At approximately 8:52 p.m. on January 29, 2025, American Airlines
Flight 5342, flying from Wichita, Kansas, to Ronald Reagan National
Airport, collided with UH-60 Army Black Hawk helicopter PAT 25 while on
final approach to runway 33 at DCA, resulting in both aircraft crashing
over the Potomac River.
There were no survivors. Mr. Speaker, 67 innocent lives were lost: 60
passengers, 4 flight crew, and 3 Army soldiers.
[[Page H936]]
There is no one in my home State who hasn't been deeply affected by
this tragedy. Kansas is known as the Air Capital of the World, a place
where aviation is not just an industry, but a way of life. The
passengers on Flight 5342 were our neighbors, our coworkers, and our
loved ones.
We are forever grateful for the more than 300 first responders who
arrived almost immediately on the scene to try to rescue survivors.
Responding parties initially included Washington, D.C., Fire and
Emergency Medical Services, the Metropolitan Police Department,
Virginia State and municipal police departments, and multiple Federal
agencies, including the NTSB, FBI, and U.S. Coast Guard.
Sadly, this and other events stand as a stark reminder of the
complexities of the national airspace system and that we shouldn't take
the precious few moments with loved ones for granted.
We must investigate this accident thoroughly to prevent this event
from ever happening again and ensure that aviation safety always
remains a top priority.
With regard to the investigation, we are grateful to the NTSB
personnel who are actively supporting the victims' families through the
agency's family assistance program. Family assistance is a critical
function of the NTSB and invaluable to those mourning the loss of one
or more of their loved ones.
In times of tragedy, it can be difficult to sort through the torrent
of emotions--sadness, rage, loneliness, and regret. While counseling
cannot bring back the loved ones lost, it can help survivors process
the storm and maybe, just a little bit, blunt some of the pain.
The NTSB is also leading the accident investigation itself. The
agency deployed over 40 investigators alongside the Coast Guard, FBI,
dive teams, and the Army Corps of Engineers to aid in the recovery and
analysis.
Aside from the wreckage of both aircraft and the personal effects of
the victims, the agency has recovered the recording devices from both
aircraft, and they are being analyzed by NTSB experts.
This effort also extended far beyond the NTSB's personnel. Hundreds
of government employees are supporting this investigative mission,
including employees from the FAA, FBI, and Department of
Transportation.
As a Member of Congress and as a citizen who cares deeply for U.S.
aviation, I am proud of those public servants and grateful for their
sense of duty and sacrifice.
Even though we all want answers, we must resist the urge to speculate
on the causes of aviation accidents and allow the NTSB to complete its
work. Aviation safety is dependent on a stable operating environment
and technical analysis. I, for one, would like to trust the experts as
they continue their mission to make the skies safer.
When the final report comes out and the time comes to act, I hope
that this body remembers this moment. We must do everything in our
power, working across the aisle, to prevent this from ever happening
again. In the meantime, let us come together in expressing our deepest
condolences and agree to this resolution.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the passengers, crew, their
loved ones, and first responders.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas
(Mr. Estes), my good friend.
Mr. ESTES. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Mann for managing the
floor time on this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 153, a resolution honoring
the victims of Flight 5342 and Black Hawk PAT 25 and offering
condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones.
First, I offer my own condolences, prayers, and support to those who
are mourning the loss of a loved one. While it has been a little more
than a month since this tragic incident, there are still no words to
adequately express the heartbreak we all feel at their loss and no
words that can properly console them. I pray that, in time, God would
give them and all those impacted a peace that would surpass all
understanding.
Just as we stand with those suffering now in their time of loss, we
will continue to stand with them as we continue to understand what
happened on that tragic night of January 29. I hope the answers that
are uncovered will help bring some closure to those grieving and help
ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again.
{time} 1630
Mr. Speaker, as we honor the 67 lives cut short by this accident, I
also thank the countless first responders who rushed to the scene to
first try to rescue and then recover those aboard Flight 5342 and PAT
25. Thanks to their tireless and selfless efforts, the bodies of all 67
victims have been recovered.
Additionally, I extend thanks to the staff of Wichita's Dwight D.
Eisenhower National Airport and to the greater Wichita community, where
Flight 5342 originated, for their efforts to embrace and lift up those
impacted by that crash. In towns and cities across the Nation and the
world, countless other communities have banded together to similarly
show support to the members of their community who lost a loved one on
that tragic night.
It is in each home, school, workplace, and community where each of
the 67 victims was known and loved that they will continue to be
remembered, celebrated, and honored. As we have learned more about the
individual passengers aboard the plane, as well as the pilots and
flight crew of Flight 5342 and the crew of the Black Hawk, we have come
to know how much they meant to the people around them and how much they
will be missed.
We commit to honoring their memory by doing the best we can to carry
out a thorough investigation and make whatever changes are deemed
necessary.
I am grateful to the National Transportation Safety Board, the FAA,
the Army, and all the other involved agencies for the swift progress
they have made thus far and for the work they are committed to carrying
out.
I also extend my thanks to Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee Chairman Sam Graves for his help in bringing this resolution
to the floor and to all the Members who have offered their support
during this time.
The devastating plane crash coincided with Kansas Day, the day our
State was founded 164 years ago. It is typically a day of recognizing
the State's heritage and when schoolchildren across the State learn
Kansas facts and symbols. Beyond the sunflower, western meadowlark, and
``Home on the Range,'' our State is known for something else not found
in a textbook or school worksheet: our compassion and care for one
another.
Kansas is a special place to call home. After a tragedy like what
happened on January 29, we not only grieve with the families and
friends we know, but we grieve for all those who lost their lives that
evening.
More than a month has passed since the events of January 29, but that
is a date that will be forever etched in the minds and hearts of the
American people.
As their Representatives in Congress and the Representative of the
Air Capital of the World, we come together today to offer our sincerest
condolences to each person who is grieving the loss of a loved one and
to honor the victims of Flight 5342 and PAT 25.
Mr. Speaker, may they rest in peace.
Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman
from Virginia (Mr. Beyer).
Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I add my thanks and my condolences, and the
very real grief of my constituents and neighbors, to what has already
been said.
We are here today to honor the lives lost on American Eagle Flight
5342 and the brave souls aboard the PAT 25 helicopter. Each of them was
more than a passenger and more than a soldier. They were loved ones--
friends, parents, classmates, children, teammates, and colleagues--
whose very presence made the world better.
While the flight manifest has not been shared, from the names that
have been shared publicly, I want to specifically mention those who
lived in the Eighth District of Virginia. They are Vikesh Patel; Staff
Sergeant Ryan O'Hara; Olesya Taylor and her daughter, Olivia Ter; Yu
``Joe'' Zhou, Kaiyan Mao, and their son, Eddie Zhou; and members of the
Haynos family, Stephanie, Roger, and their son, Cory.
[[Page H937]]
We take time to remember them today. I express my deep condolences to
their family. I reiterate my heartfelt thanks to the first responders
supporting this effort. They heard the call, and they rushed out
immediately, risking their lives in the deadly cold and the icy waters
of the Potomac as part of the rescue operations.
These include the best of Virginia's Eighth. They are the fire
departments, emergency management teams, and police departments of the
city of Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, the city of Falls
Church, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, and the
Commonwealth of Virginia.
I would also like to recognize the Federal agencies working on the
recovery and investigation, including the National Transportation
Safety Board, the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Coast
Guard, the Army, and all the others who contributed.
I thank those from local jurisdictions, including hospitals, mental
health providers, and even caring neighbors and support services, who
offered on-the-scene support to our emergency responders and who
continue to support those impacted.
Mr. Speaker, mental health is critically important. I want to stress
how many people have been impacted by this tragedy and how important it
is that we connect folks to resources and help.
Finally, I thank all the air traffic controllers, the MWAA employees,
and the DCA employees who have returned to their jobs and worked
tirelessly to keep our airspace safe. I know it has to be incredibly
difficult, working in close proximity to this tragedy and seeing the
recovery efforts while completing their jobs. My heart goes out to
them, and we thank them for their professionalism in this trying time.
Mr. Speaker, in sorrow and shared humanity, I wholeheartedly support
this resolution.
Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Babin).
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann),
my good friend, for holding this session for such a great and worthy
cause.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solemn remembrance of the lives lost in
the tragic crashes of American Eagle Flight 5342 and PAT 25.
To the families, friends, and loved ones of the 67 victims, we offer
our very deepest condolences. No words can ever ease the pain of such a
devastating loss, but we stand with them. We stand with every one of
these folks in mourning and in the pursuit of answers in this tragic
accident.
This tragedy demands a full and thorough investigation to ensure that
no family endures this kind of heartbreak again. The safety of our
skies and the trust of the American people depend on accountability,
transparency, and action.
Mr. Speaker, let us honor the memory of those we lost by ensuring
that such a catastrophe never happens again. I urge my colleagues to
support H. Res. 153.
Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman
from Virginia (Mr. Subramanyam).
Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Kansas (Ms.
Davids) for yielding.
On January 29, our community in northern Virginia was shattered.
Mr. Speaker, 67 lives were taken from us far too soon when American
Eagle Flight 5342 and Army flight call sign PAT 25 collided. Many of
those on Flight 5342 called Virginia's 10th District home, and they
leave behind countless family members, friends, and loved ones in our
community.
I am especially heartbroken for the children who were on the plane.
Some of them were former Loudoun County Public Schools students and
members of our local figure skating community at the Ashburn Ice House
and Ion International Training Center, places where I have taken my own
daughters figure skating in the past.
To the servicemembers who lost their lives on PAT 25, we thank them
for their service to our Nation.
To the first responders who rushed to the scene and worked in frigid
and dangerous conditions to save anyone they could, including Fairfax
and Prince William Counties' first responders, we are so grateful.
To the professionals at the NTSB who are investigating this tragedy
to ensure we learn from it and to prevent others like it, they have our
appreciation and full support in their work.
Finally, to my constituents, we will do anything and everything we
can to make sure a tragedy like this doesn't happen again.
Mr. Speaker, it will take a long time to come to terms with this
loss, but I know that our community is resilient. It has warmed my
heart to see how it came together for us in the aftermath of such an
awful tragedy. I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to
support H. Res. 153, and I continue to express condolences for all the
victims to their families, friends, and loved ones.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, there is still a lot to uncover about this accident, and
we are confident that the NTSB is reviewing the evidence so that we can
learn from this accident to prevent future loss of life.
As we express our deepest condolences and prayers, we join our
beloved Kansas and Nation in mourning the lives lost. Psalms 34:18
reminds us: ``The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those
who are crushed in spirit.''
We lift up the loved ones of the 67 lost souls and rest in the
knowledge that no matter the circumstances we are facing, God is always
with us.
Kansas is the heartbeat of the country, and our State motto reminds
us that we will persevere together through this difficult time.
Mr. Speaker, by adopting this measure, we honor the memory of these
victims and ensure that they will never be forgotten. I urge support of
this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Kustoff). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann) that the House suspend
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 153.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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