[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7442]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                  TRIBUTE TO ENSIGN RICHARD J. BENSING

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM DAVIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 8, 2001

  Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Ensign Richard J. 
Bensing, a member of the U.S. Navy EP-3 aircraft crew who was detained 
on the island of Hainan, China, last month following their harrowing 
collision with a Chinese F-8 fighter.
  Yesterday, I had the pleasure of joining more than 200 people in 
welcoming Ensign Bensing back to his alma mater, Brandon High School, 
in my hometown of Hillsborough County, Florida. The crowd packed in the 
school's auditorium was evidence of the impact that last month's 
incident had on citizens across America.
  The ordeal that Ensign Bensing endured may have occurred halfway 
around the world, but it captured the minds and hearts of the entire 
nation. The flight, and the eleven long days following, reminded us of 
the great risk that our men and women in uniform take every day to keep 
our nation free. Our service men and women, wherever they are 
stationed, represent the best of our country--they are our nation's 
sons and daughters. We can never take their sacrifice for granted, and 
in this case, we should be extremely grateful that Richard and the 
entire crew returned home safely.
  I would like to commend Richard Bensing and all of his fellow crew 
members for the extraordinary dedication and professionalism they 
demonstrated throughout their ordeal. By your example, you have made us 
proud to be Americans. We are glad to have you home.

                          ____________________