[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 208 (Wednesday, December 10, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H5116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  FINDING SOLUTIONS TO BRIDGE STRIKES

  (Mr. Latimer of New York was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss my new bill to 
tackle the issue of bridge strikes.
  Throughout the country, highways and local roads with low-clearance 
bridges are vulnerable to strikes by large trucks. In my home State of 
New York, there were 350 bridge strikes in 2024 alone, including many 
in Westchester and the Bronx. However, these strikes are preventable, 
and I am committed to reducing incidents.
  As Westchester County Executive, I worked with State and local 
leaders to find creative solutions to this problem, but Federal action 
is necessary.
  My bill, the Bridges Not Bumpers Act of 2025, would direct the 
Secretary of Transportation to establish a Bridge Strike Working Group 
whose work will provide recommendations to prevent future strikes. It 
will also create a national clearinghouse to serve as a central 
location for data collection and circulation of best practices to 
prevent strikes.
  I thank Congressman Bresnahan for his partnership in developing this 
commonsense, bipartisan solution. We have both Republican and 
Democratic cosponsors to this bill. I look forward to moving this 
proposal forward with my colleagues.


                         Honoring Jill Axelrod

  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the public service 
contributions of Jill Axelrod, who has completed two terms and 8 years 
as the Town of Rye's councilwoman. A resident of Rye Brook with her 
husband Brett and two daughters, she is a lawyer by profession and has 
been a member of the executive team of the Westchester County Board of 
Legislators.
  Elected in 2017 to the town council and reelected in 2021, Jill led 
the town board's important legislation and law committees, playing an 
integral role in all facets of local laws from development to passage. 
Her intergovernmental roles in county and town government have helped 
provide wise counsel to the Town of Rye as part of an effective team.
  Her public service continues. We recognize her current and past 
achievements and await the next chapter of her service.


                   Exchange Club of Yonkers Honorees

  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I salute the honorees recognized at the 
recent Awards Gala of the Exchange Club of Yonkers.
  These individuals have given exemplary service to the people of 
Yonkers as recognized by one of the most outstanding organizations in 
the city:
  Dr. Jim Bostic, senior pastor and author recognized with the Literary 
Achievement Award;
  Dr. Rosalba Corrado DelVecchio and Carol McEwen Daly, designated 
Women of Distinction Awards;
  Alan R. Gray, Jr., Esquire, Exchangeite of the Year;
  Yosef Unger from the San Souci Rehabilitation and Nursing Center 
received the Distinguished Service Award;
  Ann Muro, the longtime president of the Exchange Club of Yonkers, 
Outstanding Leadership and Community Service Award.
  All of these individuals deserve our respect and our congratulations. 
We wish them all the very best as they are honorees this year.

                          ____________________