Cleaver Promotes School Bus Safety

CLEAVER PROMOTES SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

May 11, 2005

Recognizes Victims and Families of Crash

(Washington, DC)-Today Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) spoke on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to express his sympathy for the victims and families involved in Tuesday's school bus accident in Liberty, Missouri. In light of this tragic event, Rep. Cleaver also announced his support of the SECURE Act (H.R. 2210), a bill that would increase child safety by equipping school buses with seatbelts.

The text of Congressman Cleaver's remarks:

"Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer my condolences to the victims and their families of Tuesday's school bus accident in Liberty, Missouri, just north of my district in Kansas City. That tragic accident killed two adults and injured 23 children, some critically.

These injuries could easily have been prevented had the school bus in question been equipped with safety belts. Over 23 million children ride school buses every day, and almost none of them are equipped with seat belts. While no one anticipates another school bus tragedy, we owe it to our children to do all we can to ensure their safety when traveling to and from school.

Yesterday, my good friend and colleague from California, Mr. Baca, introduced the SECURE Act to equip school buses with safety belts. By supporting this common-sense measure, we can help ensure that our children's ride to and from school is a safe one. I have cosponsored the SECURE Act, and I urge all Members to do the same."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo05_cleaver/PR11MAY05.html