[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF ADVOCATES FOR HIGHWAY AND AUTO 
                                 SAFETY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2014

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Advocates for 
Highway and Auto Safety on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. I want 
to congratulate Advocates and thank its wonderful president, Jackie 
Gillan, for her leadership and guidance.
  Each year, auto accidents claim the lives of tens of thousands of 
Americans and injure millions of others. Founded in 1989, Advocates 
brings together consumer, medical, public health, and safety groups to 
fight for safer roads and automobiles. Advocates is dedicated to 
protecting lives, preventing injuries, and reducing costs. Some 
Americans may be unfamiliar with its name, but we all benefit greatly 
from its efforts.
  Advocates works at the federal and state levels on issues such as 
impaired and distracted driving, teen driving, speed limits, vehicle 
crashworthiness, road safety, motor carrier safety, and many others. It 
combines technical expertise with policy knowhow and the passion needed 
to win safety improvements.
  Advocates was instrumental in the passage of H.R. 1216, the Cameron 
Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act, which was signed into law in 
2008. I was the sponsor of that legislation, and I had the privilege of 
working closely with Jackie Gillen and Advocates to get it passed and 
implemented. Earlier this year, the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration finalized a rule called for in the law to require 
visibility behind new model cars, trucks, and buses--a rule that will 
save 58 to 69 lives each year, according to NHTSA. Many of the lives 
saved will be children, who have been the victims of unintentional 
backovers. Advocates played a central role in helping us avoid these 
senseless tragedies by raising public awareness, helping enact the law, 
and urging NHTSA to finalize its rule.
  I know that Advocates will continue its efforts to improve the lives 
and safety of all Americans, and I look forward to working together 
with them in the future.

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