[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 19 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E273-E274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY ACT OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 1997

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to 
introduce the Child Passenger Safety Act of 1997 with my colleague from 
Maryland, Mrs. Morella. This legislation, put simply, seeks to save the 
lives of thousands of children across the country. Every day, parents, 
grandparents, and concerned citizens take the time and responsibility 
to place young children in child safety seats. Unfortunately, the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] estimates that 
nearly two-thirds of all child safety restraints are misused.
  Because of this alarmingly high rate of misuse and the benefits that 
can be seen by the proper use of child safety seats, NHTSA commissioned 
a blue ribbon panel in 1995 to study this issue and make 
recommendations on ways to solve the problem of misuse. Impressively, 
safety experts, Government agencies, safety seat manufacturers, and 
several auto manufacturers sat down together with a common interest and 
concern, and explored options for communicating the issues of 
compatibility and proper and secure installation of child restraint 
systems.
  Representing thousands of conscientious and responsible parents who 
place their children in safety seats every day, unaware of the risks 
and dangers that their children may face, I took great interest in this 
issue. I have worked closely with Congresswoman Morella for the past 2 
years to raise awareness of the issue, encourage and support the auto 
manufacturers' voluntary efforts, and participate in education drives. 
In fact, I have attended two child safety seat check events in my 
district and the turnout by the public was most encouraging and 
impressive. I also attended the signing ceremony of a partnership 
between General Motors and the National Safe Kids Campaign last year 
which created a major, national grass roots campaign to educate parents 
about child passenger safety issues. General Motors, and now Chrysler, 
have voluntarily committed millions of dollars and considerable 
manpower to this cause and are to be commended for their efforts.
  However, Mr. Speaker, resources are scarce and all of the concerned 
child safety organizations and consumer groups are stretched for 
dollars to sponsor safety seat check events. Therefore, this 
legislation would provide $7.5 million in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 to 
the Secretary of Transportation for the purpose of awarding education 
and training program grants to agencies and associated organizations on 
the local, State, and national level.
  Mr. Speaker, NHTSA is to be commended for their leadership on this 
issue. We must support their efforts as they continue to develop 
guidelines under which there would be a single, uniform attachment 
system. In the meantime, we must commit the necessary funding to ensure 
that we inform and educate the public on how to best protect their 
children.
  The number of children who die each year in motor vehicle crashes is 
truly devastating.

[[Page E274]]

However, this number is made all the more egregious because so many 
young children die as a result of unknown misuse of these devices.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to cosponsor this very 
important legislation in the days and weeks ahead. And, as Child 
Passenger safety awareness week, and all of the attention it has 
received, winds down, we must not relinquish our zeal to ensure that 
all parents, grandparents, and concerned adults receive any and all of 
the information and educational tools necessary to protect our Nation's 
children. Thank you.

                          ____________________