Today, Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) offered remarks on the House floor before leading members in a moment of silence in honor of the lives lost on Jan. 29 when Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided. He was joined by the Kansas delegation and other members of Congress whose districts were impacted by the tragedy.
"We grieve with the families and friends they left behind and pray for those in our districts who are still in shock at the loss of their loved ones. Together, we commit to finding answers, and to working to ensure another tragedy like this doesn’t happen again. In homes, churches and community gatherings across the country, Americans have paused to honor the 67 souls that perished last week. Tonight, on this first meeting of the full House since the tragedy, we will do the same."
Watch video of Rep. Estes’ remarks here.
Full Remarks
Mr. Speaker, tonight, we are gathered on the House floor to honor the men and women who tragically lost their lives on January 29. Together, we represent the districts and states impacted by the heartbreaking crash of Flight 5342 and a United States Army Black Hawk helicopter.
American Eagle Flight 5342 left my hometown of Wichita, Kansas, at 5:22 p.m. with 60 passengers and four crew members on board. They were young skaters, a rural Kansas couple, a college student, a group of friends returning from an annual hunting trip, and so many others who were taking a routine flight from the Air Capital to our nation’s capital.
Their lives came to a tragic end within view of the DCA runway when a collision occurred with a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River. As we know, all 64 passengers and three Army soldiers perished.
As we mourn the loss of these 67 individuals, there are truly no words to adequately describe the heartbreak we feel.
We grieve with the families and friends they left behind and pray for those in our districts who are still in shock at the loss of their loved ones. Together, we commit to finding answers, and to working to ensure another tragedy like this doesn’t happen again.
In homes, churches and community gatherings across the country, Americans have paused to honor the 67 souls who perished last week. Tonight, on this first meeting of the full House since the tragedy, we will do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House observe a moment of silence to remember the lives lost and the family and friends left behind.
