Hochul recognizes accomplishments of Flight 3407 victims' families

Sunday is third anniversary of tragedy

Nearly three years after the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407, Congresswoman Kathy Hochul met Tuesday with the families of the victims of Flight 3407, as well as senators Schumer and Gillibrand and representatives Higgins and Slaughter, and called for "one true level of safety" for the flying public.

"Three years ago this week, an unspeakable tragedy occurred when a plane full of people crashed into a home in Clarence Center, in the heart of my district," Hochul said. "Out of those ashes, arose an indomitable spirit among these families that united them in their grief and brought their quest right here to the halls in Washington, where they have fought to ensure no other family has to endure having their hearts ripped out the way they all had."

Following the news conference, Hochul hosted an individual meeting with Flight 3407 families from Western New York to discuss the work yet to be done to fully implement pending new flight safety measures.

Hochul added, "Until the will of Congress, and the families we serve, are translated into new rules, we will not give up the fight, because the families are counting on us and they never gave up the fight."

The congresswoman spoke in memory of the plane crash victims and in honor of their families on the House Floor, where she announced that she and her Western New York colleagues are introducing a resolution marking the third anniversary of the crash and calling on the administration to fully implement the new flight safety law.

The video of Hochul's speech can be found here.

Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed in Clarence Center on Feb. 12, 2009, claiming 50 lives. In August 2010, Congress passed new flight safety reforms through the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010. In December 2011, the FAA and the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a new rule to prevent and address fatigue amongst pilots of commercial passenger carriers.