The man who is widely credited with saving the lives of 155 people when he landed U.S. Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River is coming home to a hero's welcome.
The California town of Danville will welcome Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger home on Saturday, Jan. 24. At 1 p.m. on the Town Green at 400 Front Street.
Captain Sullenberger and his family will be honored by Danville Mayor Newell Arnerich and the Danville Town Council, Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-CA, and other dignitaries.
“Captain Sully did something extraordinary and unprecedented on January 15, 2009,” said Arnerich. “I can think of at least 155 reasons why our town should join together to celebrate our neighbor and friend, and his family.”
Sullenberger’s actions – and those of his remarkable crew – have been the subject of worldwide media coverage. President Barack Obama invited Sully to the inauguration festivities.
Flight 1549’s emergency landing in the Hudson River on Jan. 15 resulted in the survival of all 155 people on board.
“Captain Sullenberger has said that he, his crew, and the New York City emergency responders were just doing their jobs – but what they did was an inspiration to every American,” said Arnerich.
The celebration is open to the public, Arnerich said.
The Sullenberger family will not be making statements at the event, nor will they be taking questions from the media, organizers said.
“While Captain and Lorraine Sullenberger continue to honor the request from the United States Airline Pilots Association that they refrain from media interviews, they plan to attend the welcome home celebration held by the Town of Danville,” said family spokesperson Libby Smiley. “They are grateful for and humbled by the expressions of support from their neighbors and friends, and they wish to share this special moment with the people of Danville. We thank the media for respecting the Sullenberger family’s decision to postpone all interviews.”
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been invited to the event, but has not confirmed he will attend.
McNerney Introduces House Resolution to Honor Sully
On Wednesday, McNerney introduced a resolution honoring the Hero of the Hudson.
The resolution, H. Res 75, honors Sullenberger and the entire flight crew for their "quick thinking and deft actions" in saving the lives of all aboard and preventing any casualties on the ground.
H. Res 75 is also sponsored by other members of the California Congressional delegation.
The text of the resolution is both pasted below and can be found on Rep. McNerney’s web site at http://mcnerney.house.gov/pdf/Honoring_Sullenberger_1-21.pdf.
