[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 82 (Thursday, June 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  INTRODUCTION OF A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE 
   CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR THE SAFE KIDS BUCKLE UP CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECK

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 1997

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce a resolution, 
along with Congressman Steny Hoyer, that will allow the National SAFE 
KIDS campaign to use a small portion of the Capitol Hill grounds to 
conduct a car seat safety check. This initiative, called SAFE KIDS 
BUCKLE UP, is a joint initiative between the National SAFE KIDS 
campaign and General Motors Corp. to educate families about the 
importance of buckling up on every ride. Child passenger safety is on 
the minds of citizens nationwide. This program will provide parents and 
caregivers with essential information about properly securing children 
in an automobile.
  This is not an insignificant issue, Mr. Speaker. Motor vehicle 
crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death to 
children ages 14 and under, yet 40 percent of children are still riding 
unrestrained. More disturbing is the fact that, of children who are 
buckled up, 8 out of 10 are restrained incorrectly. Each year more than 
1,400 children die as motor vehicle passengers, and an additional 
280,000 are injured. Tragically, most of these injuries could have been 
prevented. Car seats are proven life savers, reducing the risk of death 
by 69 percent for infants and 47 percent for toddlers.
  It will take a nationwide effort to combat this problem. SAFE KIDS 
BUCKLE UP is a grassroots effort that will disseminate key safety 
messages through more than 200 SAFE KIDS Coalition, health and 
education outlets like hospitals and Community Health Centers, and GM 
dealerships in all 50 States. In addition, educational workshops and 
car seat check up events will be available at participating GM 
dealerships.
  The program launch, highlighted by a car seat check up for local 
Federal employees, congressional members and staff, and others from the 
Metropolitan area, is set for Thursday, August 28, at the foot of the 
U.S. Capitol to kick off Labor Day Weekend, one of the busiest travel 
weekends of the year. I am honored to say that I am supporting this 
event and the overall program along with Congressman Hoyer. We urge 
everyone to support this concurrent resolution allowing this event to 
take place. Protecting our children is a national issue that deserve 
national attention.

                          ____________________