[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 70 (Thursday, May 7, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H5373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              JASON'S LAW

  (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TONKO. As I have previously stated on this House floor, 
tragically, on March 5, 2009, one of Schoharie County's citizens from 
my district, Jason Rivenburg, pulled his truck into an abandoned gas 
station frequently used by truckers in South Carolina as a rest stop, 
and was then and there violently and senselessly shot and murdered, 
robbed of a meager $7.
  At the time of his death, Jason was a mere 12 miles from the 
destination that he was to arrive at, but was unable to make his 
delivery because he was too early.
  Jason Rivenburg was 35 years old, leaving his wife Hope and son Josh 
behind. They had just moved into a new home. As if that stress was not 
enough, shortly after his death, Jason's widow delivered two healthy 
twins--a boy named Hezekiah, after his grandfather, and a girl named 
Logan.
  Rivenburg's death sparked outrage and an outpouring of support for 
the family across our country. Truckers and family members are 
demanding that the government do more to protect truckers who risk 
their lives following rules that require that they pull over and rest 
after a certain amount of driving time.
  There are few resources telling truck drivers, who are often 
unfamiliar with the local area, where a safe place to rest might be. 
Moreover, there are few safe places to rest in the first place.
  Mr. Speaker, we must do more to support these incredibly important 
men and women. That is why trade groups such as the American Truckers 
Association, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, the 
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, and the American Moving and Storage 
Association, and so many more, support H.R. 2156, Jason's Law.
  Moving freight and goods is essential to keeping this country and our 
economy progressive. We must ensure that we move on H.R. 2156, Jason's 
Law, and support this measure by honoring a great man.

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