Haley Stevens: “I am here because I am deeply saddened to report to the Senate a very serious loss, as far as the country is concerned…”

“I am here because I am deeply saddened to report to the Senate a very serious loss, as far as the country is concerned and a real sad loss for myself personally. I was saddened last night when my wife and I received a call about the loss of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 on a flight from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to San Francisco. Eighty-eight people were on board that plane, many of them apparently employees or relatives or friends of employees of that airline. While the search continues, we have been told now that no survivors have been found. My thoughts and prayers and I hope all of our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these people who have perished. Among those on the plane were at least five Alaskans. We think there were more. One was one of my very close and dear friends, Morris Thompson--we called him Morrie--his wife Thelma and their daughter Cheryl. Morrie Thompson has been a respected leader of the Native community of our State and a businessman.”