[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCING THE NATIONAL AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE SAFETY ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2009

  Mr. MARKEY of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, Memorial Day is the 
beginning of the season when many American families take their children 
to our amusement parks for a day of fun and sun. Most Americans, when 
they enter an amusement park, believe that the rides at these parks are 
subject to oversight by the nation's top consumer safety watchdog--the 
Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC. However, this is, 
unbelievably, not the case. Since 1981, a ``Roller Coaster Loophole'' 
has been carved out of the Consumer Product Safety Act.
  This loophole is a dangerous gap in child safety and injury 
prevention, and it is having serious consequences. Between 1987 and 
2004, the CPSC reports that there were 3,400 amusement park ride-
related accidents and deaths. This estimate is likely lower than the 
actual number of injuries, due to the CPSC's lack of authority over 
fixed-site rides.
  It is time to act on the words of President Obama when he called for 
us to, ``do more to protect the American public--especially our 
nation's children--from being harmed by unsafe products.''
  It is time to put the safety of our children first--it is time to 
close the Roller Coaster Loophole.
  Today, I am re-introducing the National Amusement Park Safety Act, to 
restore safety oversight to a largely unregulated industry and protect 
our nation's children.

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