Brian Jones: “It is 10 years ago that I was contacted by Connie Gruber. On April 8, 2000, 19 marines were killed in a V-22 Osprey…”

“It is 10 years ago that I was contacted by Connie Gruber. On April 8, 2000, 19 marines were killed in a V-22 Osprey crash in Marana, Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I show this tonight because so many people do not understand what a V-22 is. It is the kind of plane that's basically a helicopter that can become a plane because it would go from the helicopter mode to an airplane mode. And so, therefore, the V-22, again, at the time of this crash was still an experimental plane. In fact, at the time of the crash, Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney spoke out to Congress, both House and Senate, that he wanted to eliminate the program. He did not think the V-22 was the right investment by the United States Marine Corps. It so happens that one of the pilots, Major Brooks Gruber and his wife, Connie, and his little girl named Brooke live in the Third District of North Carolina, which I represent. The pilot was Colonel John Brow. His wife, Trish, and his sons Michael and Matthew live in California, Maryland. Connie contacted me. I want to read, Mr. Speaker, what she said. These are taken from a full letter, but I'll read just parts of it to make my point tonight: General James Jones is fully aware of my concerns and has apparently supported Generals Nyland and Hough in denying my request for a ``no fault'' amendment to my husband's accident report. He has refused to help me. That is exactly the reason I felt it necessary to contact you as well as other respected leaders.…”