Representative Ron Estes

.Dear Friend,

Our hearts are heavy as we mourn those lost in the tragic plane crash on Wednesday evening. Our south central Kansas community, steeped in aviation and manufacturing history, will feel the pain of this catastrophe for years to come. At the same time, I’m deeply grateful to the selfless first responders who worked on the rescue and recovery efforts amidst perilous conditions.

My prayers are with the victims and families of this tragic accident. There are no words to adequately express the heartbreak we all feel. I’m working to support the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) investigation and ensure they have the resources and ability to get their jobs done as quickly as possible to get answers for the grieving individuals who have lost a loved one and make sure this doesn’t happen again. I’m in touch with the various agencies involved in the investigation, including the Federal Aviation Administration, NTSB, and the Department of Defense, and I’ll keep you informed as we learn more.

Please join me in praying for the families of those involved – that God would give them a peace that would surpass all understanding.

Sincerely,

Member of Congress

.The devastating plane crash last week happened on Jan. 29 – Kansas Day – the day our state was founded 164 years ago. It’s typically a day of recognizing our state’s heritage and when schoolchildren across the state learn Kansas facts and symbols. But beyond the sunflower, western meadowlark and “Home on the Range,” our state is known for something else not found in a textbook or school worksheet – our compassion and care for one another. Kansas is a special place to call home, and after a tragedy like what happened Wednesday, we not only grieve the family and friends we know, but we grieve for the strangers from Kansas and across the world who were among the 67 who died over the Potomac River.

In the coming weeks and months, our community will do what it does best – come together and support the families impacted by this tragedy. That’s indicative of who we are as Kansans.

.Did you know that the state motto of Kansas, “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” means “to the stars through difficulties?” The motto represents the difficulties Kansas faced when becoming a state. This was due to staunch, and sometimes violent, disagreements regarding slavery, which was referred to as “Bleeding Kansas.” On the Kansas seal, the state motto is pictured above 34 stars, symbolizing Kansas becoming the 34th state in our Union. Kansas was officially admitted to the United States on Jan. 29, 1861.