Wisconsin's hero of the Hudson is in the Capitol spotlight. Jeff Skiles, the copilot of the U.S. Airways jet which ditched in New York's Hudson River two weeks ago. Today, Skiles was commended by the Wisconsin state Senate, including Middleton Democrat, Sen. Jon Erpenbach, whose district includes Skiles' home in Oregon. "There are 150 people plus the five crew members . . . that are very, very fortunate, very happy and extremely lucky that you showed up that day to do your job," said Erpenbach.
For his part, Skiles told reporters he was indeed just doing his job in the heroic water landing, and that the ditching and subsequent rescue of all on board was the work of may people. Skiles, who will get more attention tonight in the gallery for Governor Jim Doyle's State of the State address, said he expects to by flying again by the end of February.
