[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 55 (Tuesday, May 9, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H2302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING KATLYN MARIE MARCHETTI AND STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF 
                               SEATBELTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a 
young woman whose life tragically was cut short by her decision not to 
wear her seatbelt.
  Katlyn Marie Marchetti, known as Katie to her family and friends, was 
a vibrant, loving, community-oriented high school junior who dreamed of 
a career in fashion or interior design. She encouraged other young 
women through her participation in the Ophelia Project, a nonprofit 
group dedicated to encouraging middle and high school girls to believe 
that an individual's true beauty comes from within.
  As a junior at Durant High School in Valrico, Florida, Katie planned 
to take the SATs in April and spend her summer examining colleges. Her 
commitment to academic achievement and hard work guaranteed that she 
would succeed in whatever field she chose. Katie's entire future was 
ahead of her, and what a bright one it would have been.
  But it was not to be. On March 3, 2006, Katie was involved in a car 
accident that ended up claiming her life early the following morning. 
To the devastation of her loving parents, Vincent and Laura, and her 
younger brother, Andrew, she was not wearing her seatbelt. Had she 
buckled up, March 4 may have been one day closer to realizing her 
dreams. Instead, it was the day when they were ended.
  Unfortunately, Katie's decision to forego wearing a seatbelt is not 
uncommon. Among the entire population, teenagers are the most likely to 
neglect this important lifesaving measure. A study conducted by the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2002 indicated that 
only 69 percent of 16 to 24-year-olds use seatbelts, compared to 82 
percent of children and 76 percent of adults. Among 16 to 19-year-olds, 
the statistics are more troubling. Only 40 percent use seatbelts 
consistently. And the Fatality Analysis Reporting System shows that 63 
percent of teens killed in crashes were not wearing seatbelts.
  Data also reveals insights into why teens neglect to fasten up when 
they get in a vehicle. According to a 2003 survey, only 79 percent of 
teen drivers reported that they wear a seatbelt all the time. About 47 
percent indicated that safety belts were as likely to harm as to help, 
and 30 percent said that crashes close to home were usually not as 
serious. Approximately 30 percent affirmed that they would feel self-
conscious if they were going against the group norm in wearing safety 
belts.
  Mr. Speaker, these statistics are troubling. Seatbelt use has proven 
effective time and again in saving lives. According to NHTSA, the 
wearing of safety belts saved an estimated 14,164 lives in 2002. 
Choosing to buckle up is the best protection against drunk, tired, or 
aggressive drivers. And yet people choose not to take this precaution. 
What can be done to encourage them to do so?
  Studies have shown that highly publicized and visible enforcement of 
safety belt laws have increased seatbelt use. Peer-led education and 
awareness also hold promise in changing youth norms and attitudes about 
seatbelt use. Parental involvement is absolutely critical. Children who 
observe their parents using seatbelts and obeying traffic laws are more 
likely to adopt these lifesaving habits.
  Vincent and Laura Marchetti imparted this wisdom to their daughter 
and even prevented her from getting her license until she was 6 months 
beyond her 16th birthday. They instilled a sense of responsibility in 
her and practiced driving under all sorts of conditions, but it was not 
enough.
  Technological advances have proven to be one of the most promising 
catalysts for increased seatbelt use. A study commissioned by NHTSA 
found that while enhanced safety belt reminders such as buzzers, lights 
and dashboard messages are aimed at the general population, they may be 
particularly effective for teenagers. Because teens tend to forget to 
fasten their seatbelts and are less likely than adults to disengage 
warning systems, they may be more likely to be persuaded to buckle up 
by these annoyances.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage the automobile industry to help address this 
problem by increasing and expanding the manufacture of vehicles with 
warning systems that do not disengage until the seatbelt is fastened. 
These systems may save precious young lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I didn't know Katie personally, but through my 
discussions with her parents and brother who are in Washington this 
week, I know what a special young woman she was. I grieve with them and 
the rest of their family for their loss. I admire the strength and 
perseverance of the Marchettis to channel this grief into educating 
teenagers and their parents about the importance of seatbelt use 
through the Katie Marchetti Memorial Foundation. I rise today to join 
their call and to plead with all Americans to ``cross it, click it and 
live.''

                          ____________________