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Hero Pilot, Crew Get Keys To New York City

The Associated Press

US Airways Capt. Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger III, left, is presented with a key to New York City by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

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The Associated Press

Published: February 9, 2009

Updated: 02/09/2009 01:14 pm

Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented keys to New York City to US Airways Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and his crew, thanking them for preventing "an awful tragedy."

"It is now my great pleasure to introduce five real American heroes," Bloomberg said at the City Hall ceremony. "I certainly hope that you feel at home here. And you should. New York City ... is a city full of heroes."

Sullenberger ditched Flight 1549 in the frigid waters of the Hudson River on Jan. 15 after a flock of birds disabled both of the plane's engines just minutes after the plane took off from LaGuardia Airport.

All 155 people aboard survived.

The presentation came after a weekend media blitz for the hero pilot, co-pilot and three flight attendants. An interview with the five was broadcast Sunday on CBS' "60 Minutes," and the crew appeared today on ABC's "Good Morning America" and CBS' "The Early Show."

Sullenberger and his family also were the toast of Broadway on Saturday night when they received a standing ovation from the audience at "South Pacific."

During the event with the mayor, Sullenberger emphasized that while he's gotten a lot of the credit for the emergency landing, it was a team effort, and he praised the crew, passengers and first responders.
Bloomberg, presenting the honors on behalf of "8.3 million grateful New Yorkers," said the city felt "a strong connection" to the story — dubbed the miracle on the Hudson. He said in saving every passenger, the five crew members lived "an ideal that ... we all aspire to."

Said the mayor: "Thank you for sparing our city and so many families from an awful tragedy."

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