[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16061]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             WMATA TRAGEDY

  (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, on Monday evening, as millions of Americans 
were making their daily commute home, tragedy struck in our Nation's 
Capital. The collision outside of the Fort Totten station in Northeast 
Washington, the worst in the 33-year history of Washington's Metro 
system, claimed the lives of nine people and left more than 80 injured.
  Among those lost were Ana Fernandez of Hyattsville and Cameron 
Williams of Takoma Park from my State of Maryland. My heart and my 
thoughts, as I know all the Members' thoughts, are with the loved ones 
as well as all of those suffering the sudden loss caused by this 
tragedy.
  Those include the family and friends of train operator, Jeanice 
McMillan, and passengers, Lavonda King, Mary Doolittle, Veronica 
Dubose, Dennis Hawkins and Ann Wherley and her husband, Major General 
David F. Wherley, Jr. Let me also extend my gratitude to the first 
responders and medical professionals whose work at the scene was so 
critical in preventing further tragedies.
  While the cause of this accident is unknown at this time, we do know 
this: The safety of our citizens is our highest priority, and we must 
take every precaution to make sure this loss of life does not occur 
again.
  In the very near future, I will be joining with my colleagues from 
the region in introducing the final measure required to authorize $3 
billion in dedicated Federal and local funding for Metro. Millions and 
millions of tourists from throughout this Nation ride on this system as 
well as tens of thousands of the employees who work for this country.
  We received formal notice from the Governors of Maryland and Virginia 
and the Mayor of the District of Columbia that the jurisdictions had 
amended the WMATA Compact to enable such funding just last week, and I 
hope we can move quickly to pass this legislation critical to meeting 
Metro's capital and maintenance needs. We don't know that that was the 
cause, but certainly it is a consideration.
  Hundreds of thousands of people rely on Washington's Metro system 
every day, from the Federal employees who keep our Government running 
to the visitors from every corner of the country who come to our 
Nation's Capital. Let it be our tribute to those we mourn today to 
ensure America's subway is safe for all who use it.
  I know my colleagues join me in expressing our sympathy and prayers 
to all those who were struck by tragedy the other night.

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