September 6, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6269 Spelman College has prepared more than (2) honors the victims of the crash: Re- Mr. Speaker, as Chair of the House six generations of African American women to becca Adams, Christina Anderson, Lyle An- Aviation Subcommittee, I want to as- reach the highest levels of academic, commu- derson, Arnold Andrews, Anne Marie Bailey, sure the traveling public and my col- nity, and professional achievement. Bobbie Benton, Jesse Clark Benton, Carole leagues that the National Transpor- Spelman College continues to pave the way Bizzack, George Brunacini, Brian Byrd, Jef- frey Clay, Homer Combs, Diane Combs, Fen- tation Safety Board is now and will for new generations of African American stu- ton Dawson, Thomas Fahey, Mike Finley, continue to thoroughly investigate dents. The college offers competitive and high Clarence Wayne ‘‘C.W.’’ Fortney II, Wade every aspect of this accident. Any pre- quality academic programs in liberal arts, hu- Bartley ‘‘Bart’’ Frederick, Hollie Gilbert, sumption on the cause or causes of this manities, sciences, communications, and engi- Erik Harris, Kelly Heyer, Jonathan Hooker, accident at this stage are purely specu- neering, to name just a few. Scarlett Parsley Hooker, Priscilla Johnson, lative, and at this time I think it The Association of Medical Colleges ranks Tetsuya Kono, Nahoko Kono, Charles should be definitely left to the profes- Spelman College fifth among undergraduate Lykins, Dan Mallory, Steve McElravy, sional investigative abilities of the Lynda McKee, Bobby Meaux, Leslie Morris programs for Black students accepted to med- NTSB. It is their responsibility in fact ical school, and Spelman is one of six institu- II, Kaye Craig Morris, Cecile Moscoe, Judy Ann Rains, Michael Ryan, Mary Jane Silas, to determine the circumstances and tions designated by the National Science cause, and they will report back to Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Pat Smith, Tim Snoddy, Marcie Thomason, Greg Threet, Randy Towles, Larry Turner, Congress. Space Administration as a Model Institution for Victoria Washington, Jeff Williams, Paige I can also assure the families, the Excellence in undergraduate science and Winters, Bryan Woodward, JoAnn Wright, public, and Members of Congress that math education. and Betty Young; those charged with the investigation of I urge my colleagues to support the (3) expresses sympathies to the people of this tragedy will not rest until the achievements of this institution, and support Lexington, the entire Commonwealth of Ken- this resolution honoring the 125th anniversary tucky, and the Nation who grieve for the vic- cause of this aviation crash has been fi- of Spelman College. tims; nally determined. I have no further requests for time, (4) commends the heroic actions of the res- While even the loss of one life in an and I yield back the balance of my cue workers at the crash site who retrieved aviation accident is unacceptable, the time. copilot James M. Polehinke from the wreck- public should know, Members of Con- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The age; and gress should know, and those who trav- question is on the motion offered by (5) commends the Federal, State, and local el should know that our commercial officials and the volunteers who worked to- airlines today are both safe and also re- the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. gether to respond to the tragedy with cour- PRICE) that the House suspend the age, determination, and skill. liable. Since 2001, more than 4 billion rules and agree to the resolution, H. passengers have flown safely on U.S. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Res. 875, as amended. commercial airliners with the lowest ant to the rule, the gentleman from The question was taken. fatality accident rate in history. Florida (Mr. MICA) and the gentleman The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Mr. Speaker, it is important to note from Kentucky (Mr. CHANDLER) each opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of that on a typical weekday, just one day will control 20 minutes. those present have voted in the affirm- like today, there are an average of ative. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida. some 33,000 commercial airline takeoffs Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, and landings at airports of general on that I demand the yeas and nays. GENERAL LEAVE Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- aviation across the country, and al- The yeas and nays were ordered. most all of them, again with large com- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- mous consent that all Members may mercial aircraft since November 12, ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the have 5 legislative days in which to re- 2001, have done so safely. Despite this Chair’s prior announcement, further vise and extend their remarks and in- proceedings on this question will be clude extraneous material on House amazing safety record, I wish we all postponed. Resolution 980. lived in a world where we could elimi- nate all accidents and all risks. While I f The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gen- do not believe that we can do that, I do EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO tleman from Florida? sincerely believe that we can continue FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND LOVED There was no objection. to work together to do everything hu- ONES OF VICTIMS OF CRASH OF Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- manly possible to avoid these types of COMAIR FLIGHT 5191 self such time as I may consume. accidents in the future. Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong Again, I want to express my heartfelt suspend the rules and agree to the reso- support of this resolution today that is condolences to the families, friends, lution (H. Res. 980) expressing condo- being introduced by my good friend and and loved ones of the victims on board lences to the families, friends, and colleague from Kentucky (Mr. CHAN- Flight 5191, also to Mr. CHANDLER, a loved ones of the victims of the crash DLER). good friend and distinguished colleague of Comair Flight 5191, and for other This resolution, H. Res. 980, expresses from Kentucky, and his constituents. purposes. condolences to the families, friends, He told me he lost a number of per- The Clerk read as follows: and loved ones of the victims of the sonal friends and a large number of H. RES. 980 August 27, 2006, aircraft accident of constituents in this unfortunate avia- Whereas the people of Kentucky, including Flight 5191, which took place in Lex- tion tragedy. Again, my condolences to the citizens of the 6th Congressional Dis- ington, Kentucky. There were 50 people all affected. trict, have experienced a terrible tragedy on board Flight 5191, including pas- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of with the loss of 49 lives in the crash of sengers and crew, with one individual my time. Comair Flight 5191 at Blue Grass Airport in surviving the crash, Copilot James Lexington, Kentucky, on August 27, 2006; Polehinke, who is currently recovering, b 1630 Whereas many of the victims of the crash and we wish him Godspeed in his recov- Mr. CHANDLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield were residents of Kentucky, particularly of ery. myself such time as I may consume. the small, close-knit town of Lexington and Mr. Speaker, I want to say that my Mr. Speaker, I would like to first other surrounding communities; and Whereas Federal, State, and local officials heartfelt sympathy goes out to the vic- thank my friend and colleague, the have cooperated not only at the crash site tims and to each and every one of their gentleman from Florida (Mr. MICA) for but throughout Kentucky and the Nation to families, friends, and loved ones. Los- his good wishes and for his efforts as respond to the emergency, investigate the ing a loved one is always very tragic, chairman of the Aviation Sub- accident, and provide assistance to families but I think it is compounded when such committee to help with promoting devastated by the loss of loved ones: Now, a loss is the result of an unfortunate safety in the air throughout this coun- therefore, be it and unforeseen situation. I am hopeful try. I appreciate those efforts very Resolved, That the House of Representa- tives— that this resolution will in some small much, and I appreciate his help with (1) expresses condolences to the families, way help to comfort the families and this resolution. friends, and loved ones of the victims of the friends of all those who lost their lives Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a crash of Comair Flight 5191; on Flight 5191. heavy heart for Kentuckians who have VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:10 Nov 16, 2006 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORDCX\T37X$J0E\H06SE6.REC H06SE6 mmaher on PROD1PC70 with CONG-REC-ONLINE H6270 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 6, 2006 tragically lost their lives and for loved Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance ficials who worked together to respond to the ones who have been left behind to pick of my time. unfolding tragedy. up the pieces. Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- While we will not know the probable cause On August 27, 2006, Comair Flight self such time as I may consume. of the Conair crash until the National Trans- 5191 crashed upon take off at Blue Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to ex- portation Safety Board, NTSB, completes its Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky, tend my condolences to all the family, investigation, serious questions have been killing 49 of the 50 people aboard. friends and loved ones of those who lost raised regarding the Federal Aviation Adminis- Twenty-eight of the victims lived in their loved ones on Flight 5191 in Lex- tration’s, FAA, air traffic control staffing poli- the district I represent, and several ington, Kentucky.