SCHUMER, MCNULTY RESOLUTION HONORING AIR NATIONAL GUARD'S 109TH AIRLIFT WING PASSED BY CONGRESS

US Senator Charles E. Schumer and Rep. Mike McNulty today announced that both the Senate and the House of Representatives have unanimously passed a concurrent resolution "recognizing and honoring the heroic efforts of the Air National Guard's 109 ^th  Airlift Wing and its rescue of Dr. Jerri Nielsen from the South Pole." The resolution, which was introduced by Sen. Schumer in the Senate and Rep. McNulty in the House, passed the Senate today and passed the House last week.

"Through their heroic acts, the members of the 109 ^th  have brought honor to their state and to their nation," said Sen. Schumer. "It is only fitting that we honor these brave men and women here today."

The 109 ^th  Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard, which is based at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Glenville, New York, rescued Dr. Jerri Nielsen, a physician who diagnosed herself with breast cancer, from the South Pole Last month. The 109 ^th  is the only unit in the world capable of such an evacuation mission.

"I was proud to lead the effort in the House to honor these true American heroes," said Rep. McNulty. "Every one of my colleagues joined with me in recognizing that the mission these brave men and women completed was not only historic but also heroic. It is about time that they receive this kind of national recognition."

"This team deserves much praise for this Herculean feat in the roughest of circumstance," said Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan. "They are all great Americans."

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