[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 609 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 609

   Expressing support to designate the week of September 22 through 
   September 28, 2019, Rail Safety Week in the United States, and to 
support the goals and ideals of Rail Safety Week to reduce rail-related 
                  accidents, fatalities, and injuries.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 27, 2019

  Ms. Wilson of Florida (for herself, Mr. Blumenauer, Ms. Brownley of 
California, Mr. DeFazio, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Kind, Ms. Norton, Mr. Larsen 
of Washington, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Payne, and Mr. Hastings) submitted the 
     following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                   Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing support to designate the week of September 22 through 
   September 28, 2019, Rail Safety Week in the United States, and to 
support the goals and ideals of Rail Safety Week to reduce rail-related 
                  accidents, fatalities, and injuries.

Whereas the first Rail Safety Week was held from September 24 through September 
        30, 2017, by the national education safety nonprofit Operation 
        Lifesaver, the Department of Transportation, and other organizations;
Whereas Rail Safety Week was launched to raise awareness about the need for 
        increased education on how to be safe around highway-rail grade 
        crossings and railroad tracks, and to highlight efforts to further 
        reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities;
Whereas the number of public crossings has decreased by 8 percent, while the 
        number of gates has increased by 26 percent since 2005;
Whereas, in 2018, 51 percent of all grade crossing collisions and 64 percent of 
        all fatal grade crossing collisions occurred at gated crossings;
Whereas while grade crossing injuries are 13 percent higher, grade crossing 
        fatalities are 6 percent higher, and grade crossing collisions are 15 
        percent higher since 2009;
Whereas preliminary Federal statistics show that more than 2,216 highway-grade 
        crossing crashes occurred across the United States in 2018, resulting in 
        263 persons killed and another 840 injured;
Whereas trespassing incidents on railroad property resulted in 541 persons 
        killed and another 481 injured in 2018;
Whereas highway-grade crossing crashes are more severe than highway collisions 
        and are more likely to result in death and injury;
Whereas many collisions between trains and motor vehicles or pedestrians could 
        have been prevented by increased education, engineering, and 
        enforcement;
Whereas Operation Lifesaver, the foremost public information and education 
        program on rail safety, administers a public education program about 
        grade-crossing safety and trespassing prevention;
Whereas during Rail Safety Week, from September 22 through 28, and throughout 
        the year, everyone is encouraged to take added caution as motorists or 
        pedestrians approach tracks or trains;
Whereas the United States and Canada will observe Rail Safety Week concurrently; 
        and
Whereas this important observance should lead to greater safety awareness and a 
        reduction in highway-rail grade crossing crashes and pedestrian and 
        railroad incidents: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of Rail Safety Week;
            (2) expresses strong support for the goals and ideals of 
        Rail Safety Week and efforts to reduce rail-related accidents, 
        fatalities, and injuries; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to 
        participate in Rail Safety Week events and activities and to 
        educate themselves and others on how to be safe around railroad 
        tracks.
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