[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 28, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AND AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 168 and 
that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 168) designating May 2004 as 
     ``National Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to; that the preamble be agreed to; that the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table; and that any statement relating to 
the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 168) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 168

       Whereas the United States of America is the world leader in 
     motorcycle safety, promoting education, training, and 
     motorcycle awareness;
       Whereas motorcycles occupy a very important position in the 
     history of this Nation and of the world;
       Whereas over two-thirds of car-motorcycle crashes and 
     nearly one-half of all motorcycle crashes are caused by car 
     drivers, not by motorcyclists;
       Whereas of the 1,400 fatal car-motorcycle crashes in 2001, 
     36 percent involved another vehicle violating the 
     motorcyclist's right-of-way by turning left while the 
     motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the 
     vehicle;
       Whereas although the motorcycling community has made 
     efforts to mitigate these right-of-way crashes through 
     enhancing motorcycle awareness via billboards, posters, 
     media, and other campaigns, the message to `watch for 
     motorcycles' continues to go unheeded by the general motoring 
     public;
       Whereas the motorcycling community has invested 
     considerable time and effort to improve its safety record 
     through safety initiatives such as increased rider training 
     and licensing campaigns, but many times demand for rider 
     training exceeds enrollment capacity and the programs often 
     lack support from the larger traffic safety community;
       Whereas the larger traffic safety community, highway 
     designers, law enforcement, the medical community, designers 
     of other vehicles, government, researchers working in related 
     areas, insurers, and all road users can accomplish much more 
     toward improving motorcycle safety;
       Whereas the motorcycle is an efficient vehicle which 
     conserves fuel, has little impact on our overworked roads and 
     highway system, is an important mode of transportation 
     involving such activities as commuting, touring, and 
     recreation, and promotes friendship by attracting riders from 
     all over the world through various clubs and organizations;
       Whereas the month of May marks the traditional start of the 
     motorcycle riding season; and
       Whereas, due to the increased number of motorcycles on the 
     road, it is appropriate to set aside the month of May 2004 to 
     promote motorcycle awareness and safety and to encourage all 
     citizens to safely share the roads and highways of this great 
     Nation by paying extra attention to those citizens who ride 
     motorcycles: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 2004 as ``National Motorcycle Safety and 
     Awareness Month''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe the 
     month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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