Senate Commits to Never Forget Aviation’s First Responders
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 9, 2016) — On the 15th remembrance of the September 11th terrorist attacks, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution Thursday, led by Senators Markey (D-MA), Warren (D-MA), Casey (D-PA), Gillibrand (D-NY), and Booker (D-NJ), committing to never forget aviation’s first responder’s heroic actions. The crewmembers of United Flight 175, American Flight 11, American Flight 77, and United Flight 93 acted as first responders, providing the first information about the unfolding attacks and selflessly protecting the United States and the lives of countless others.
"Flight Attendant first responders relayed the first intelligence of attacks, alerting our country and our fellow crewmembers on Flight 93, who in turn made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country and countless lives,” said Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO. “Every day since September 11th, we go to work with an even greater sense of responsibility, serving as our nation’s last line of defense in aviation security. We will never forget our heroes and we will always seek to honor their sacrifice with our actions – not only through our work for safer skies, but in the way we contribute to each of our communities at home and those that we visit around the world. We are so grateful to Senators Markey, Warren, Casey, Gillibrand, and Booker for leading this recognition of aviation's first responders. We will Never Forget."
The Senate resolution can be found here.
“The bravery of the crewmembers 15 years ago will always be cherished in the hearts and minds of the American people,” said Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.). “Those airline pilots and flight attendants were heroes, and we honor their memory and the service of today’s aviation first responders with this Senate resolution. Everyone in this country felt unspeakable loss that tragic day 15 years ago, with a direct and profound impact on victims’ families in Massachusetts. The planes took off from Logan Airport in Boston with hundreds of passengers and crewmembers, and our communities were forever changed. As we reflect on the anniversary of that day, I thank those in the aviation sector who continue to work to keep us safe each and every day.”
Representative Peter King (R-NY) has introduced a bicameral resolution in the House, with broad bipartisan support.
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The Association of Flight Attendants is the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for 71 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 50,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.
