[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 193 (Thursday, November 12, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S6676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 768--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE 
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 20 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26, 2020, AS RAIL SAFETY WEEK IN 
 THE UNITED STATES, AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF RAIL SAFETY 
    WEEK TO REDUCE RAIL-RELATED ACCIDENTS, FATALITIES, AND INJURIES

  Mr. WICKER (for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Fischer, and Ms. 
Duckworth) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 768

       Whereas the first Rail Safety Week was held from September 
     24 through September 30, 2017, by the national education 
     safety nonprofit Operation Lifesaver, the Department of 
     Transportation, and other organizations;
       Whereas Rail Safety Week was launched to raise awareness 
     about the need for increased education on how to be safe 
     around highway-rail grade crossings and railroad tracks and 
     to highlight efforts to further reduce collisions, injuries, 
     and fatalities;
       Whereas highway-rail grade crossing and trespassing 
     accidents constituted approximately 97 percent of all rail 
     related fatalities during 2019;
       Whereas since 2005--
       (1) the number of public crossings has decreased by 8 
     percent; and
       (2) the number of gates at public crossings has increased 
     by 36 percent;
       Whereas in 2019, 49 percent of all grade crossing 
     collisions and 65 percent of all fatal grade crossing 
     collisions occurred at gated crossings;
       Whereas preliminary Federal statistics indicate that 2,228 
     highway-grade crossing collisions occurred in the United 
     States in 2019, resulting in 299 deaths and the injury of 
     another 822 individuals;
       Whereas many collisions between trains and motor vehicles 
     or pedestrians could have been prevented by increased 
     education, engineering, and enforcement;
       Whereas Operation Lifesaver, the foremost public 
     information and education program on rail safety, administers 
     a public education program about grade-crossing safety and 
     trespassing prevention;
       Whereas during Rail Safety Week, from September 20 through 
     26, and throughout the year, everyone is encouraged to take 
     added caution as motorists or pedestrians approach tracks or 
     trains;
       Whereas the United States, Canada, and Mexico will 
     concurrently observe Rail Safety Week; and
       Whereas this important observance should lead to greater 
     safety awareness and a reduction in highway-rail grade 
     crossing crashes and pedestrian and railroad incidents: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of Rail Safety Week;
       (2) expresses strong support for--
       (A) the goals and ideals of Rail Safety Week; and
       (B) efforts to reduce rail-related accidents, fatalities, 
     and injuries; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States--
       (A) to participate in Rail Safety Week events and 
     activities; and
       (B) to educate themselves and others on how to be safe 
     around railroad tracks.

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