Senate Passes the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Act

[DMCKEON]

To All,



We also would like to that the Senate for passing this important legislation and hope that now one of them can submit a sister bill to HR 4266 and protect our children at home as well.



Dennis



http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=33


H.R.4266
Title: To direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue regulations concerning the safety and labeling of certain furniture.
Sponsor: Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13] (introduced 12/4/2007) Cosponsors (7)
Latest Major Action: 12/4/2007 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COSPONSORS(7), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]: (Sort: by date)
Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 2/7/2008 Rep Chandler, Ben [KY-6] - 1/16/2008
Rep Cleaver, Emanuel [MO-5] - 2/6/2008 Rep Fossella, Vito [NY-13] - 12/19/2007
Rep Graves, Sam [MO-6] - 2/14/2008 Rep LoBiondo, Frank A. [NJ-2] - 12/18/2007
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 12/4/2007









KIDS AND CARS * Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety * Consumers
Union * Public Citizen * Center for Auto Safety * Trauma Foundation
* Consumer Federation of America *National Consumers League

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, February 14, 2008

Contact: Janette Fennell, KIDS AND CARS, (913) 327-0013

Jackie Gillan, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, (202) 408-1711

Jennifer Fuson, Consumers Union 202-462-6262

Parents, Consumer and Safety Groups Give a Standing Ovation to the
Senate for passing the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety
Act Today

Washington , DC — Parents, consumer and safety groups praise the
Senate's unanimous passage today of H.R. 1216, an important child
auto safety measure.

The bill, the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of
2007, was named after 2-year-old Cameron, who was killed when he was
inadvertently backed over by an SUV because the blindzone behind the
vehicle made it impossible to see him. Dr. Greg Gulbransen, a Long
Island pediatrician expressed gratitude that the long-awaited bill
has now been approved by the Senate after having been approved in
the House in December. "Today's action represents the accumulation
of hard work, dedication and commitment by everyone affected by
these preventable tragedies. When implemented, the provisions of
the bill will make vehicles much safer for all American families,"
said Dr. Gulbransen.

"With today's Senate passage, the Congress has spoken clearly – the
safety of our children is a top priority. We now urge President
Bush to sign the bill into law," said Janette Fennell, president of
KIDS AND CARS. "This measure will help prevent the type of
tragedies similar to the one that took Cameron's life and the
thousands of serious injuries that happen to children every year.
Valentine's Day of 2008 will never be forgotten by the parents who
have suffered the unimaginable and have worked so hard to make the
world a safer place for children in and around motor vehicles," she
added.

The bill addresses three of the most serious causes of preventable
injuries and fatalities to young children in and around motor
vehicles: getting caught in an automatically closing power window;
being struck by a backing vehicle because of an unacceptable
blindzone; and placing a vehicle in gear that results in an
uncontrolled roll away without having to depress the brake.

"We know what the problems are, we have inexpensive and effective
technological solutions available and now we will have a law that
includes deadlines for federal government action," commented Jackie
Gillan, vice president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

"This Senate action today is a valentine to all consumers who
support auto safety. We are deeply grateful that both the House and
Senate have completed action on this important measure. We hope the
President will quickly sign it into law," said Ellen Bloom of
Consumers Union.

The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to
issue new safety standards within specific time periods that will
lead to the installation of safety technologies as standard
equipment in all vehicles to prevent deaths and injuries in and
around motor vehicles. These safety technologies are already
available as standard equipment, upgrades or optional equipment in
many makes and models of vehicles. The bill also requires the
department to establish a database of noncrash incidents and develop
a program to provide the public with safety information regarding
nontraffic dangers to young children.

Since 2000, over 1,350 children have died in non-traffic incidents,
with at least 227 fatalities already in 2007 according to KIDS AND
CARS. Back-over incidents have increased dramatically claiming the
lives of 474 children from 2002-2006 compared to 128 from 1997-
2001. Backovers now account for half of all non-traffic fatalities
involving children. The federal government does not collect data
about non-traffic incidents, so the actual fatality numbers are
likely much higher.

A 2002 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
reports that over 9,100 children are treated in hospital emergency
rooms (176 per week) due to non-traffic incidents in a one-year time
period. Some of the deadliest months for children killed in
noncrash incidents occurred in 2007. In July, 2007 alone, 34
children died in nontraffic incidents, followed by 31 fatalities in
August and 26 fatalities in April.

Joan Claybrook, president, Public Citizen and former Administrator
of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration responded to
today's bill passage by commending the bill's sponsors in both the
Senate and House. Passage of this legislation was the result of
strong bi-partisan action in both the House and Senate. We are
grateful for the leadership of Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-
NY) and John Sununu (R-NH) and Representatives Janice Schakowsky (D-
IL) and Peter King (R-NY)." The Senate bill had 37 Democratic and
Republican co-sponsors and the House bill had 43.

The following relatives of children who were injured or died in
preventable nontraffic auto incidents along with many others have
joined the safety and consumer groups in support of the Cameron
Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007:

Dr. & Mrs. Greg Gulbransen, in memory of son, Cameron, age 2, who
was backed over and killed on October 19, 2002 (Oyster Bay, NY)

Bill & Adriann Nelson, in memory of son, Alec, 16 months, who was
backed over and killed on April 24, 2004. ( Dix Hills , NY )

Packy & Brenda Campbell, in memory of son, Ian Joseph, 22 months,
who died when a vehicle was inadvertently knocked into gear on April
14, 2004 ( Farmington , NH)

Mrs. Susan Auriemma, in honor of daughter, Kate age 31/2, who was
backed over and injured on May 27, 2005 ( Manhasset , NY )

Britt Gates, in memory of daughter, Zoie Beth Gates, age 2 1/2, who
was killed by a power window on November 3, 2001 ( Anthony , KS )

Ms. Melissa Feimer, in memory of her niece, Vada Schoon, age 3, who
was backed over and killed on June 7, 2006 (Cliffside Park, NJ)

Steve & Shannon Campbell, in memory of son, Drew Campbell, 26
months, who was backed over and killed on April 20, 2003 (
Cincinnati , OH)

Michael & Sharron DiMario, in memory of son, Gino J. DiMario, age 7,
who was backed over and killed on February 19, 2005. ( Cincinnati ,
OH )

Orin & Arden Rosenfeld, in memory of daughter, Veronica Rosenfeld,
age 2, who was backed over and killed on March 27, 2005 ( Baca
Raton , FL )

Mark & Keiko Warschauer, in memory of son, Michael Warschauer, 10
months, who died after being inadvertently left in a hot car on
August 8, 2003 (Irvine, CA)

Smith & Julie Peck, in memory of son, Jackson Peck, age 4, who was
backed over and killed on December 23, 2004

Ms. Amie Duemer, in memory of son, Josef Duemer, 1yr, who died after
being inadvertently left in a hot car on August 3, 2005 (Lubbock, TX)

Tim & Angela Gridley, in memory of daughter, Aliviah Faith Gridley,
26 months, who was backed over and killed on December 30, 2005
(Cedartown, GA)

Travis & Sally Knoll, in memory of son, Davin Knoll, age 4, who was
strangled in a power window on June 2, 2004 (Sheboygan, WI)

Phil & Cheryl Bransom, in memory of son, Douglas Bransom, age 7, who
was struck and killed by an SUV on May 30, 2006 (West Linn, OR)

Todd & Melody Costello, in memory of son, Tyler Costello, 8 months,
who died after being inadvertently let in a hot vehicle on July 29,
2002 (Medina, OH)

Kevin & Bethany Falkner, in memory of son, Steven Matthew Falkner,
age 3, who was killed by a power window on January 7, 1998 (West
Plains, MO)

Ms. Lisa Rice, in memory of son, Craig Rice, age 5, who was backed
over and killed on July 13, 2003, (Sacramento. CA)

Aaron Chatten, in memory of daughter, Madison Faith Chatten, 15
months, who was backed over and killed on May 3, 2005 (Glasgow, MT)

Bob & AnnMarie Pszybylski, in honor of son, Robert Pszybylski, age
2, who was critically injured when struck by a vehicle on April 7,
2006 (St. James, NY)

Rodney & Meredyth Bryant, in memory of daughter, Annabelle Riley
Bryant, age 2 1/2, who was killed after being backed over on May 4,
2005 (Glen Allen, VA)

Matthew & Lisa Cavallaro, in memory of daughter, Agatha, age 2 who
was backed over on Father's Day, June 20, 2004 ( Muttontown , NY )