[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13796]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          RENO AIRSHOW TRAGEDY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I was saddened to hear of the terrible 
accident on Friday at the Reno airshow, which killed 10 people and 
injured many more. I just received word an hour or two ago that another 
person has died in the hospital. My heart goes out to those who were 
hurt, and my thoughts are with the families of those who lost their 
lives when the pilot of a World War II airplane crashed into 
spectators.
  I commend the many first responders who rushed to the scene Friday. 
Their quick thinking and skillful assistance saved lives. While this 
crash was devastating--and it was--it is fortunate and I am glad the 
pilot took quick action to avoid additional loss of life by avoiding a 
grandstand packed with thousands of spectators.
  My four grandchildren and my son attended the show on Thursday. My 
oldest grandson Mitchell was at the event with a Scout Troop on Friday, 
just hours before this terrible accident. Although officials are 
investigating the crash, initial reports indicate that a piece of the 
plane's tail broke off prior to the accident.
  I hope this terrible event, the first of its kind in this Nation, 
will not deter people from attending airshows in the future. Thousands 
of people enjoy these shows every year. The late Senator Ted Stevens 
attended this show many times and told me it was the best of its kind. 
I will continue to monitor the investigation, of course.

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