Elijah Cummings: “Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to commend the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), and the ranking…”

“Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to commend the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), and the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski), for their action on House Concurrent Resolution 401 that recognizes the largely unsung heroism that airline flight attendants display on a daily basis. On September 11 of last year, 25 flight attendants lost their lives as a result of terrorist attacks. When they left their homes and loved ones that morning, I am sure that none of them knew what tragic events would unfold before the day's end, and what role they would play in it. Five flight attendants working on United Airlines Flight No. 93 helped prevent hijackers from reaching their intended target of Washington, D.C. I am sure that many of us have to give credit to them for perhaps saving our lives. Everyday a workforce of 100,000 flight attendants make it their mission to ensure the safety of passengers that rely on them. In the war on terrorism, they can be compared to ground soldiers. They are our front line of defense. Not only did flight attendants display acts of heroism on September 11, but they also have repeatedly reacted courageously to thwart acts of terrorism on American aircraft. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to acknowledge the heroism and bravery of flight attendants.”