[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15048]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 4787

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                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 9, 2004

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, over the years, the safety of 
vehicles and passengers in a funeral procession have been of 
significant concern to both funeral directors and law enforcement 
officials. Various means have been utilized to alert the public to a 
funeral procession and to protect its integrity. However, these methods 
are haphazard, lack uniformity and rely on local and state rules and 
regulations, if any, for enforcement. With the advent of private 
vehicles with daytime running lights as a standard feature, increased 
traffic congestion in urban areas, road rage and an increase in the 
number and variety of law enforcement and emergency vehicles, funeral 
processions have become more and more vulnerable to accidents and other 
hazardous conditions. Furthermore, with this increased risk comes 
increased liability exposure for the funeral home and funeral director 
resulting in increased financial strain. Therefore, the use of Mobile 
Infrared Transmitters by authorized personnel only as well as increased 
use of law enforcement personnel as funeral procession escorts would go 
a long way in addressing this very real problem. My bill would protect 
the authorized user and impose penalties and jail time for an 
unauthorized user or seller.

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