Political Quotes

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in support of this legislation tonight. I also want to thank Chairman Jim Oberstar, whose commitment to safety across the various modes of transportation is unchallenged. I want to thank Chairman Costello, Ranking Members Mica and Petri for their leadership. I want to thank my western New York colleagues, Chris Lee and Louise Slaughter, for joining me and all of us in this effort. I want to thank Representatives Jerry Nadler, Tim Bishop, Mike Arcuri, and Mike McMahon. All are from New York, and all of them serve on the Transportation Committee. As has been mentioned tonight, we are really here for one reason-- that is a group that has become known as the ``families of 3407.'' It is an incredible and courageous group of people. To them, we extend our appreciation, our respect, and our admiration. We know all too well the passage of time will never fully heal the tragedy of their deep personal losses nor will these flight safety provisions, which will be approved at this late hour. We are here tonight because of these families, families who persevered, who carried themselves over the past 18 months in a most dignified manner. Befitting the cause that they dedicated themselves to and for the people they loved, they became friends with one another.…”