[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9167]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING RODNEY A. ERICKSON, PRESIDENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE 
                               UNIVERSITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Rodney A. Erickson, retiring president of the Pennsylvania State 
University.
  After 37 years at Penn State as an academic and administrator, Rodney 
Erickson selflessly took the role of president of the university during 
a troubled time. We thank him for his service, his dedication, and, 
most of all, his tremendous vision and leadership.
  Rodney Erickson became a faculty member at Penn State in the last 
1980s, and over the years, he held roles from assistant professor to 
dean to vice president for research, to provost and president.
  At each level of service to the university, he sought new ways of 
teaching, better forums for learning, and innovative approaches to 
streamline bureaucracy and keep the university and its individual 
departments on the cutting edge. At every stage, he has been an 
inspirational leader to those around him.
  A leader of and advocate for the university in countless ways, 
Erickson leaves behind a legacy of excellence, integrity, pride, and 
tireless dedication for this community to cherish and build upon for 
generations to come.
  As a proud Penn State alumnus, I want to thank President Rodney 
Erickson for his commitment and his dedication to Penn State 
University. I also wish you and your wife, Shari, the very best with 
future plans for the years ahead.


                       Youth Traffic Safety Month

  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, as well, to 
recognize Youth Traffic Safety Month, which is celebrated each May.
  As many are aware, motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading 
cause of death for teens. In fact, according to the National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration, teenagers are involved in three times as 
many fatal crashes as all other drivers.
  An even more disturbing fact is that one-third of fatal teen crashes 
involve a young driver who had been drinking. Also troubling is that 50 
percent of high school students say they text ``at least sometimes'' 
while driving.
  Now, these statistics are a stark reminder of how much more must be 
done to educate our kids on the privileges and responsibilities of 
operating a motor vehicle.
  Mr. Speaker, as we begin the summer season, which is a dangerous time 
of year on the road for all drivers, let us reflect on these tragic 
statistics.
  While Youth Traffic Safety Month is coming to a conclusion, let us 
recommit in the coming months, through advocacy, education, and 
awareness, to promote road safety and reduce the number of vehicle-
related fatalities.

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