SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 737
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize the Teens in the Driver Seat program for its efforts to
improve teen driving safety in this state; and
WHEREAS, Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of
death for young people, as demonstrated by the deaths of nearly
6,000 teenagers nationwide annually, approximately 500 of which
occur each year in Texas; and
WHEREAS, For every teenager killed in a car crash, at least
50 more are seriously injured, making teen driver car crashes one
of the most urgent safety and public health crises now facing our
state and nation; and
WHEREAS, It is widely recognized by experts that no single
solution can effectively reverse this trend, making it essential
that young people themselves play an active and productive role
in improving roadway safety for all drivers and passengers; and
WHEREAS, A growing number of Texas teenagers have
dedicated themselves to this important safety mission through
their involvement in the Teens in the Driver Seat program,
created by the Texas Transportation Institute and sponsored by
the Texas Department of Transportation and State Farm Insurance;
and
WHEREAS, This creative effort is distinguished by its
unique peer-to-peer approach and is the first such program of its
kind in the United States; it has already reached more than 230
Texas schools and nearly 250,000 young Texans; and
WHEREAS, The Teens in the Driver Seat program is playing a
meaningful role in bringing about a reduction in the frequency of
teen driving fatalities in Texas; all those associated with the
program are truly worthy of commendation, in particular its
"Driving the Message" annual contest winners, the charter
members of the Teens in the Driver Seat Teen Ambassadors Board,
and the SponStar honorees gathered here today at the Texas State
Capitol; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
Legislature, hereby salute these innovative public servants for
their commitment, dedication, and vital contribution to their
schools, their communities, and the State of Texas; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of the Teens in the Driver Seat program as an expression of
high regard from the Texas Senate.
Uresti
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 4, 2009.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate