Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer marked 15 years since the crash of Flight 3407 that killed 51 people on Monday - 50 passengers and crew members and one person on the ground. Schumer credits families of the victims with making efforts to keep commercial flights safer than ever.
Schumer says he pictures the victims mourning, but instead of cursing the darkness, remembering the lives of the victims of Flight 3407 by lighting a candle in their grief.
"They came together. They organized, they raised their voices. And I was proud to be their champion in the Senate to help pass the most significant aviation safety law in decades," said Schumer on Monday during a Zoom call.
Schumer also spoke on the Senate floor on Monday to honor the lives of those lost 15 years ago in Clarence Center.
"Because of these families, airlines across America are safer. Praise God. We have not had a single fatal crash of a major airline in America since 2009. These families helped establish the 1,500 hour training rule that pilots must follow. They helped create a pilot records database, and new rules around pilot fatigue to help ensure that what happened on Flight 3407 never happens again," Schumer said.
He says their advocacy is just what the founding fathers envisioned: Average citizens with heartfelt convictions, persisting and getting it done.
"These families didn’t have campaign contributions, deep pockets or superPACS. All they had was their convictions," Schumer said.
The Families of Flight 3407 will gather on Monday afternoon to mark the 15-year anniversary and remember their loved ones.