[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22253]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         THE LOSS OF FLIGHT 587

  Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, I rise today to express profound sorrow 
for the loss of life caused by the tragic crash of American Airlines 
flight 587 in the residential community of Belle Harbor, Rockaway, 
Queens, and the loss of 246 passengers and 9 crewmembers who were 
traveling to the Dominican Republic, as well as the loss of life on the 
ground where the plane crashed. It has added to the immeasurable 
sadness that New York and America have been forced to bear since the 
horrific events of September 11.
  It is impossible to speak about the destruction that happened 
yesterday without recognizing the overwhelming sacrifices of the 
residents of the Rockaways. They have already contributed greatly to 
the defense of our city and our Nation. The families in this part of 
Queens have had to attend more funerals in the past 2 months than 
anyone should have to bear. They have lost many people who worked at 
the World Trade Center, as well as the numerous firefighters and police 
officers who make up this close-knit community. The courage and the 
values of these New Yorkers, these Americans, these public servants, 
have brought comfort to so many and have stood as a shining example of 
what is best of America.
  I think it is fair to say that our entire country stands in awe of 
their acts of bravery and self-sacrifice. It was doubly tragic to see 
the loss of life in this accident and to know that it happened in an 
area where lives were just beginning to resume some sense of normalcy 
and then were so horribly disrupted again.
  As I walked around the crash area with FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh 
yesterday, I was able to show him a neighborhood that I think came as a 
bit of a surprise. Joe has done a very good job, just a terrific job as 
our FEMA Director, in the time he has been in that position. He 
responded with just great dispatch and compassion to the World Trade 
Center attacks.
  I think being in Lower Manhattan and seeing the community there was 
one view of New York. But being in Belle Harbor, seeing the single-
family homes that could be found in so many other communities around 
our country, was a reminder of the diversity that is New York. We have 
so many different kinds of neighborhoods. Yet in every one of them we 
will find people who are stalwart, steadfast, and willing to work hard 
and play by the rules, and who oftentimes have contributed to the 
greatness of that city and, in turn, our State and country.
  Senator Schumer, Congressman Weiner, and I will be asking FEMA to 
include this tragedy in Queens as part of the presidentially declared 
disaster. We believe the members of these affected communities, 
including the Dominican community in Washington Heights, Brooklyn, and 
elsewhere, and the Rockaway neighborhood where the plane fell to Earth, 
should have access to the disaster services they need and deserve.
  Although all of us in New York and America experienced a terrible 
shock yesterday upon learning of the crash, we know there was one 
particular segment of our community that was very hard hit. Initial 
estimates indicate that anywhere from 150 to 175 of the passengers on 
board flight 587 were Dominican-Americans, or Dominicans. New York's 
Dominican community, which is centered in Washington Heights, is a 
strong and vibrant cultural sector tucked into northern Manhattan, 
almost on the opposite end of where the World Trade Center once stood.
  Our Dominican community, with all of its excitement, its energy, its 
culture, and colorful history, has contributed greatly to the soul of 
New York City. Dominican-Americans have made many contributions to 
business and the arts, to labor and politics, and their contributions 
are really just beginning. They have also maintained strong ties with 
the Dominican Republic and the people who live there.
  Although it is growing rapidly, New York City's Dominican community 
is renowned for its smalltown feeling in a city obviously famous for 
its huge size. But a tragedy such as the one that happened yesterday 
reverberated across the entire community because virtually everyone 
knows someone who has lost a loved one.
  The community's response to this latest tragedy has been an 
outpouring of relief. We have seen that a crisis center for families 
has been already set up in Washington Heights. We have seen Dominican-
American elected officials rallying around, serving their constituents. 
We know the kind of efforts that will be undertaken by the Dominican-
American community will bring great comfort and support to those who 
have lost loved ones.
  Now we have to do whatever we can as the larger New York and American 
community to stand with and support these families. I spent some time 
last night at the Ramada Inn, that was set up at JFK Airport for the 
families to come seeking information and help. It was a grueling and 
wrenching experience. Many of the families there lost not just one 
member but several. I met one young man who lost his wife, his 
daughter, and his mother-in-law because they were going to the 
Dominican Republic to attend the funeral of a relative.
  I met another young man who proudly held the picture of his brother 
who had just gotten back from his tour of duty on the U.S.S. Enterprise 
in support of our efforts in Afghanistan. He had just come back home 
and was going down to see friends and relatives. His family was so 
proud of this young man who had served our country.
  There are many stories such as that which we will hear over the days 
and weeks ahead.
  Of course, all that any of us can do is to promise our support and 
whatever assistance is needed; to offer our thoughts and our prayers; 
to stand with the government and the people of the Dominican Republic 
for whom this is a profound and unsettling tragic occurrence; to 
demonstrate clearly in all that we do that we will stand in the face of 
whatever comes; that New Yorkers are neither daunted nor beaten down by 
the continuation of tragedy and challenge; and that our determined 
spirit as Americans remains undiminished.
  I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues 
in ensuring that these New Yorkers, like those who were affected on 
September 11, know that our country stands behind them and with them.
  Thank you, Madam President.

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