[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING WILLIAM AND MURIEL ELLIOT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. FRANK A. LoBIONDO

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 19, 2004

  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of William and 
Muriel Elliot for their contributions toward making Americans all 
across the country aware of the dangers of drunken driving.
  Bill and Muriel's quest to bring about this awareness came at a high 
personal cost, their son, U.S. Navy Ensign John Elliott. John, who had 
just received his commission to Naval Flight Officer training in 
Pensacola, Florida, was struck and killed by a drunk driver on July 22, 
2000. It was later discovered that the driver responsible for Ensign 
Elliott's death had been arrested for drunk driving earlier that 
evening. Having called for a ride, he was picked up by a friend who 
returned him to his car. Ensign Elliott was on his way home for his 
mother's birthday party when he crossed paths with the intoxicated 
driver.
  Since Ensign Elliott's tragic death, Bill and Muriel have worked to 
ensure other families never have to suffer the same tragedy. They 
created the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, an interactive 
educational program designed to promote the use of designated drivers 
to combat drunk driving injuries and fatalities nationwide. They have 
also worked with the New Jersey state legislature to enact John's Law. 
The law makes New Jersey the first state in the country to require that 
individuals who pick up an arrested driver sign a document accepting 
custody and authorizes the impoundment of the vehicles of those 
arrested for drunk driving for up to twelve hours. I have been pleased 
to work with Bill and Muriel to encourage other states to adopt similar 
laws by making impoundment programs eligible for Federal Highway 
Administration grant funds.
  For their efforts with the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, Bill 
and Muriel have been awarded the National Commission Against Drunk 
Driving's twentieth annual Citizen Activist award. I wish to express 
the thanks of the House of Representatives to William and Muriel Elliot 
and honor them for their tremendous efforts.

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