This resolution honors the victims and first responders of the 2025 Potomac River mid-air collision and commits to translating safety lessons learned into future prevention.
Roger Marshall
Senator
KS
This resolution officially honors the 67 victims of the tragic 2025 mid-air collision between an Army helicopter and an airliner over the Potomac River. It expresses deep sympathy for the families affected and commends the hundreds of agencies and first responders involved in the response and recovery efforts. Furthermore, the resolution commits to translating safety lessons from the incident into action to prevent future tragedies.
Resolution Honors 67 Victims of 2025 Potomac River Mid-Air Collision, Commends 78 Responding Agencies
Alright, let's talk about something that hits close to home for a lot of folks: a resolution recognizing a truly heartbreaking event. This isn't a new law setting up a program or changing regulations; it's Congress taking a moment to formally acknowledge the 2025 Potomac River mid-air collision and honor everyone affected.
Remembering Those Lost
This resolution specifically names the mid-air collision on January 29, 2025, between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342 over the Potomac, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. It's a formal recognition of the 67 lives lost: all 64 passengers and crew on the airliner, and the 3 crew members on the helicopter. The bill highlights that victims came from 16 different states and several foreign countries, and specifically mentions the loss of 11 young U.S. figure skating athletes, their parents, coaches, and 3 U.S. Army soldiers. For families and communities, this kind of legislative acknowledgment can mean a lot, formally recognizing the profound loss they experienced.
Heroes on the Scene
The resolution doesn't just focus on the victims; it also shines a light on the incredible response. It commends the 78 agencies and organizations that jumped into action, including the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services, the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, and many others. These are the folks who ran towards the danger, and this resolution acknowledges their "prompt and selfless actions in response and recovery efforts." It's a nod to the more than 1,700 first responders, servicemembers, medical professionals, and investigators who worked tirelessly during a truly chaotic and tragic time. For anyone who's ever relied on emergency services, seeing their efforts formally recognized is important.
Looking Ahead: Learning from Tragedy
Beyond remembrance, the resolution also looks to the future. It expresses a commitment to honoring and supporting the families affected by this tragedy. Crucially, it also states a commitment to "translating the safety lessons learned from the collision into action to prevent future incidents and ensure a similar crash does not happen again." While the resolution itself doesn't outline how those lessons will be translated, it's a public declaration that the incident won't just be forgotten. For anyone who flies, or lives near an airport, this commitment to future safety is a quiet but significant part of the resolution, signaling that the government intends to use this tragic event to improve aviation safety for everyone.