U.S. may rename embassy wing for pilot killed by Colombia rebels
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Northrop Grumman contractor Tom Janis was slain in 2003 after making a difficult crash landing in the jungle. His three American colleagues were held hostage by the FARC until this summer, when they were liberated in a military resuce operation.
Now, reports Chris Kraul from Bogota, officials want to rename a wing of the U.S Embassy in the capital after Janis.
‘The 2009 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill coming to a vote soon in Congress contains an amendment by Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) proposing that a section of the bunker-like embassy be renamed in honor of Thomas Janis. Passage is likely. ‘Tom Janis saved our lives,’ said rescued defense contractors Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell in a statement e-mailed to The Times in support of the proposed honor. ‘He was exceptionally brave. ... Tom Janis is a hero.’ ‘
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-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City
Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes inside an airplane after being rescued in July this year. Credit: European Pressphoto Agency