The Families of Continental Flight 3407 returned to the nation’s capital Monday, but not just to continue their fight for aviation safety.

They did that, of course, but Monday’s main event was a ceremony at Federal Aviation Administration headquarters: the unveiling of a plaque honoring them for prodding Congress into passing a law that dramatically improved safety in the skies.

Monday was the 12th anniversary of the signing of that law – and there hasn’t been a major U.S. airline crash ever since.

And to keep that track record of safety going, the families also made lobbying trips to Capitol Hill – accompanied by Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and Jeff Skiles, the pilots who guided a USAirways jet to safety, landing in the Hudson River, only three weeks before the Flight 3407 crash claimed 50 lives in Clarence.

Five concerts, two demolition derbies, one comedy show – and one music critic experience. Win the best seats in the house at the Erie County Fair Buffalo News Grandstand! Enter now >>