[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19061-19062]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF A WORLD DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR ROAD 
                             CRASH VICTIMS

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 87) supporting the 
goals and ideals of a world day of remembrance for road crash victims.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 87

       Whereas 40,000 people in the United States, and 1,200,000 
     people globally, die in road crashes each year;
       Whereas another 20,000,000 to 50,000,000 people globally 
     are injured each year as a result of speeding motor vehicles, 
     the increasing use of motor vehicles, and rapid urbanization;
       Whereas the World Health Organization has predicted that by 
     the year 2020 the annual number of deaths from motor vehicle 
     crashes is likely to surpass the annual number of deaths from 
     AIDS;
       Whereas the current estimated cost of motor vehicle crashes 
     worldwide is $518,000,000,000 annually, representing between 
     3 and 5 percent of the gross domestic product of each nation;
       Whereas over 90 percent of motorist-related deaths occur in 
     low- and middle-income countries;
       Whereas according to the World Health Organization 
     motorist-related deaths and costs continue to rise in these 
     countries due to a lack of appropriate road engineering and 
     injury prevention programs in public health sectors; and
       Whereas the United Nations General Assembly adopted a 
     resolution designating the third Sunday of November as a day 
     of remembrance for road crash victims and their families, and 
     called on nations globally to improve road safety: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of a world day of 
     remembrance for road crash victims; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to support 
     and participate in programs and activities to commemorate a 
     world day of remembrance for road crash victims with 
     appropriate ceremonies, programs, and other activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the 
consideration of H. Con. Res. 87, a bill that supports the goals and 
ideas for a world day of remembrance for road crash victims. H. Con. 
Res. 87, which has 54 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative 
Robert Wexler on March 8, 2007. H. Con. Res. 87 was reported from the 
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on June 12, 2007 by a 
voice vote.
  The third Sunday in November is designated as a world day of 
remembrance for road crash victims. This resolution commemorates the 
1.2 million people killed in road crashes globally, including 40,000 in 
the United States each year.
  Road crashes are the second leading cause of death worldwide among 
young people from ages 5 to 29, and the third leading cause of death 
among people aged 30 to 44 years. Vehicle accidents every year have 
injured and disabled as many as 50 million people throughout the world. 
Road traffic injuries cost countries approximately $518 billion each 
year, which is between 1 and 5 percent of the gross domestic product of 
each nation.
  I support this legislation to encourage the people of the United 
States and of the world to support and participate in programs and 
activities to commemorate a world day of remembrance for road crash 
victims with appropriate ceremonies, programs and other activities.
  Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague, Robert Wexler, for introducing 
this legislation and urge swift passage of this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CANNON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, every year approximately 40,000 people in the United 
States die in road crashes. The number worldwide is even more 
devastating, over 1.2 million. These tragedies are overwhelming to the 
victims and their families and lead to numerous unintended physical, 
emotional and financial hardships.

[[Page 19062]]

  H. Con. Res. 87 supports a world day of remembrance for road crash 
victims on the third Saturday of every November. According to the World 
Health Organization, 90 percent of motorist-related deaths occur in low 
and middle income countries. The countries are in need of improved road 
systems, increased prevention initiatives, and education programs for 
new drivers.
  Too many of these road crash fatalities can be prevented through 
legislation, consistent enforcement and better education on the use of 
safety precautions such as seatbelts, child restraints and helmets. 
Drunk driving prevention programs and campaigns such as Mothers Against 
Drunk Driving are useful tools to bring awareness to such tragedies.
  Communities and families worldwide must work together to prevent road 
crashes and related deaths. These traffic accidents injure or disable 
more than 50 million people. It is time we take these numbers into 
perspective to end dangerous and life-threatening vehicle crashes.
  With that, I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 87.
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, today, we will pass H. Con. 
Res. 87, supporting the goals and ideals of a world day or remembrance 
for road crash victims.
  This legislation sets aside the third Sunday of November as a day of 
remembrance for road crash victims and their families, and calls on 
nations globally to improve road safety.
  It also encourages our country to support and participate in programs 
and activities to commemorate a world day of remembrance for road crash 
victims with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and other activities.
  Each year 40,000 people in the U.S. die in road crashes--last year 
Nebraska had 226 fatal crashes, according to the Nebraska Office of 
Highway Safety.
  Very few of us can say we have never been affected by a road crash. 
It is my hope, through these educational and informative steps, we can 
lower the total of Americans--and Nebraskans--lost to road crashes each 
year.
  Mr. CANNON. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I yield back 
my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I would urge passage of this 
legislation, and yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 87.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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