Senate Resolution 6

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING ANGEL FLIGHT OF GEORGIA FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AND SAVE THE LIVES OF THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE UNPRECEDENTED ATTACKS ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.

WHEREAS, when the security restrictions halted commercial air traffic, problems erupted within the medical community. Hospitals and blood centers overflowing with blood donors had no way to test the blood before it could be administered to patients. The majority of centers in the South typically transport their samples via commercial airlines to a testing facility in Dallas, but with air traffic grounded, it wasn't happening. However, Angel Flight of Georgia received special FAA clearance for transportation of critical personnel or cargo, and this is where they offered their assistance. It was through their efforts that the hospitals in Mississippi and surrounding states kept a constant blood supply for the days following the national crisis; and

WHEREAS, in order to keep the supply of blood available in a timely manner, Angel Flight of Georgia made daily "blood runs," dispatching several pilots to cities like Hattiesburg, Meridian and Tupelo, Mississippi, to collect blood samples. After collecting the samples from various locations, all the pilots would meet in Jackson, Mississippi. Once in Jackson, all the samples were consolidated to one plane and flown to the testing facility in Texas. Due to these efforts, the blood supply process was uninterrupted and blood was available as needed to the residents of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, by October 2001, Angel Flight of Georgia had coordinated and executed some 70 missions related to disaster relief and had been recognized by Governors of the States of Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Angel Flight of Georgia is a group of pilot and nonpilot volunteers that have been dedicated to serving patients and healthcare providers in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Mississippi since 1983, working with an independent network of volunteer pilot organizations to ensure travel across the United States; and

WHEREAS, nothing could have prepared us for the tragedies of September 11th. We watched in stunned silence and horror as events unfolded permanently imbedding themselves in our memory; and

WHEREAS, it is an honor to recognize the services of Angel Flight of Georgia, and particularly its Mississippi pilots and volunteers, who so unselfishly gave a helping hand to their community, their neighbors and their country during this time of national crisis:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Angel Flight of Georgia, and its Mississippi pilots and volunteers, for their efforts to improve and save the lives of their fellow citizens in the aftermath of the unprecedented attacks on September 11, 2001.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the representatives of Angel Flight of Georgia in the Chamber of the Mississippi Senate on January 15, 2002, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.