The families of Flight 3407 are applauding members of the U.S. House and Senate on presenting a new bipartisan FAA re-authorization bill.

The flight crashed on Feb. 12, 2009, in Clarence Center, just outside of Buffalo. All 49 people on the plane were killed. There was one casualty on the ground.

The bill addresses many safety concerns, including some that have led to multiple near misses among airliners in recent years. It includes an important provision that prevents pilots from substituting more time in flight simulators for time at the controls of an actual aircraft when qualifying for their licenses.

The families responded to the legislation by saying tackling these and other safety issues is an important step towards ensuring the safety and security of airline passengers.

"We know firsthand the heartbreak and devastation caused by safety issues that are ignored for too long," stated John Kausner, who lost his 24-year-old daughter and law student Ellyce on Flight 3407. "This FAA Reauthorization Bill is critically important in preventing future tragedies.   As it progresses to both the House of Representatives and the Senate for passage, we strongly urge all members to give it their support."

The National Transportation Safety Board ruled pilot error and a lack of training were the causes of the Flight 3407 crash.