[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1209]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



           IN MEMORY OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY TRAGEDY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. WES WATKINS

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2001

  Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Speaker, my heart is heavy and in pain from the 
tragedy that struck my alma mater--Oklahoma State University, located 
in my hometown of Stillwater, Oklahoma--on January 27th, 2001.
  A plane carrying members of OSU's basketball team, athletic 
department, and sports broadcast unit crashed shortly after take-off 
following the OSU men's basketball game at the University of Colorado 
in Boulder. Ten members of the OSU family lost their lives in the 
accident.
  Understandably, in times such as these, one could not be blamed for 
believing that the beloved schools of so many had just had a part of 
itself die. We know these 10 men's families have lost their loved ones, 
and now have an aching in their heart that will be long in mending. One 
could not be blamed for believing that life on God's earth is often too 
barren, and lonely; that the weight of this burden is more than we 
could possibly endure.
  We are only in the beginning of our grief. But deep within our 
hearts, we humbly know God has a better plan than a lasting hurt. May 
God provide a lasting and loving memory of the young men who lost their 
lives.
  Daniel Lawson, student athlete; Nate Fleming, student athlete; Jared 
Weiberg, student manager; Pat Noyes, director of basketball operations; 
Brian Luinstra, athletic trainer; Will Hancock, coordinator of media 
relations; Kendall Durfey, engineer for the OSU radio network; Bill 
Teegins, KWTV sports director and the voice of OSU football and 
basketball; and two pilots, Denver Mills and Bjorn Falistrom. Every one 
of these individuals was an important part of the OSU family. We shall 
miss them dearly, but their memories will live on in our hearts. May 
the spirit from our wonderful memories of them grant us the grace, 
peace and strength to fulfill their dreams.
  I have a heavy heart--an aching heart--for the loved ones of those 
who lost their lives. My prayers and love go out to the families, Coach 
Eddie Sutton and his staff, and the entire OSU family.
  Yes, may God's love, mercy and grace sustain and strengthen them. Mr. 
Speaker, I ask that each member of the House join me as our thoughts 
and prayers go out to the young men's families, their friends, and to 
the extended Oklahoma State University family who lost ten loved ones.

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