Hearing of the Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee - Opening Statement of Sen. Moran, Hearing on Pool Safety: The Tenth Anniversary of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act

Hearing

Good afternoon, everyone. I call to order this hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data Security.

Today is the second gathering of the subcommittee this year, and again our purpose is to raise awareness of issues important for the protection of American consumers.

I have convened today's hearing to specifically examine the issue of pool and spa safety. It has been several years since Congress last held a hearing on this issue.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 19, 2007.

This legislation, known as VGB, aimed to enhance the safety of public and private pools and spas, reduce child drownings and educate the public on the need for constant supervision of children in and around water. This hearing will examine the extent to which VGB has accomplished these goals over the past decade since enactment.

I understand former Senator George Allen of Virginia is in the audience today. Senator Allen is to be commended for his leadership in getting VGB signed into law during his time as chairman of this subcommittee.

Of course, while I wish she were here under different circumstances, I am pleased that we are joined today by Nancy Baker, whose daughter Virginia Graeme Baker was the namesake for this legislation after her tragic death in June of 2002.

I want to recognize one more individual with us today and that is Scott Taylor, whose daughter Abbey Taylor was also a victim of suction entrapment. Her death inspired the Abbey's Hope foundation in her name to educate the public about pool and spa safety and keep kids safe.

As some of you are aware, the month of May is National Drowning Prevention Month. To that end I am pleased to join Ranking Member Senator Blumenthal and Commerce Committee Chairman Thune today in introducing a resolution supporting the states, including Kansas, that have signed proclamations declaring May as "National Water Safety Month." We wish to recognize and express support for the goals and ideals of that designation.Good afternoon, everyone. I call to order this hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data Security.

Today is the second gathering of the subcommittee this year, and again our purpose is to raise awareness of issues important for the protection of American consumers.

I have convened today's hearing to specifically examine the issue of pool and spa safety. It has been several years since Congress last held a hearing on this issue.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 19, 2007.

This legislation, known as VGB, aimed to enhance the safety of public and private pools and spas, reduce child drownings and educate the public on the need for constant supervision of children in and around water. This hearing will examine the extent to which VGB has accomplished these goals over the past decade since enactment.

I understand former Senator George Allen of Virginia is in the audience today. Senator Allen is to be commended for his leadership in getting VGB signed into law during his time as chairman of this subcommittee.

Of course, while I wish she were here under different circumstances, I am pleased that we are joined today by Nancy Baker, whose daughter Virginia Graeme Baker was the namesake for this legislation after her tragic death in June of 2002.

I want to recognize one more individual with us today and that is Scott Taylor, whose daughter Abbey Taylor was also a victim of suction entrapment. Her death inspired the Abbey's Hope foundation in her name to educate the public about pool and spa safety and keep kids safe.

As some of you are aware, the month of May is National Drowning Prevention Month. To that end I am pleased to join Ranking Member Senator Blumenthal and Commerce Committee Chairman Thune today in introducing a resolution supporting the states, including Kansas, that have signed proclamations declaring May as "National Water Safety Month." We wish to recognize and express support for the goals and ideals of that designation.

The upcoming Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the start of summer swimming season. For American families, recreational swimming is a time-honored tradition. Swimming pools such as The Big Pool in Garden City, Kansas -- the largest outdoor municipal concrete swimming pool in the world -- are fixtures in local communities and popular destinations for relief from the summer heat.

While parents and adults work to monitor children around pools and spas and take precautions such as stopping them from running on wet surfaces, many don't realize the potential dangers posed by the pool drains. Even when attentive parents and adults are around, accidents can unfortunately still happen.

Drowning continues to be ranked second or third among the leading causes of death for children, depending on the state, especially for children ages one to four years old. In Kansas, there have been 297 drownings in the past decade. What makes these tragedies all the more painful for families is that the accidents are, by and large, preventable.

I appreciate the willingness of our witnesses to discuss these sensitive topics. Each of our witnesses will bring unique perspective on how to avoid harm and improve safety for pool and spa-related activities, as well as offering ideas beyond this hearing for improving consumer awareness. I appreciate the time you have taken to prepare your heartfelt testimony.

It is my hope that a Senate hearing calling attention to pool safety leading into the summer season will have a positive impact on reducing pool and spa-related injuries and deaths.

I thank my colleague and ranking member, Senator Blumenthal, for being here to help promote awareness of the issues surrounding pool and spa safety. Certainly if greater awareness can prevent just one child's death, we will have succeeded.

The upcoming Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the start of summer swimming season. For American families, recreational swimming is a time-honored tradition. Swimming pools such as The Big Pool in Garden City, Kansas -- the largest outdoor municipal concrete swimming pool in the world -- are fixtures in local communities and popular destinations for relief from the summer heat.

While parents and adults work to monitor children around pools and spas and take precautions such as stopping them from running on wet surfaces, many don't realize the potential dangers posed by the pool drains. Even when attentive parents and adults are around, accidents can unfortunately still happen.

Drowning continues to be ranked second or third among the leading causes of death for children, depending on the state, especially for children ages one to four years old. In Kansas, there have been 297 drownings in the past decade. What makes these tragedies all the more painful for families is that the accidents are, by and large, preventable.

I appreciate the willingness of our witnesses to discuss these sensitive topics. Each of our witnesses will bring unique perspective on how to avoid harm and improve safety for pool and spa-related activities, as well as offering ideas beyond this hearing for improving consumer awareness. I appreciate the time you have taken to prepare your heartfelt testimony.

It is my hope that a Senate hearing calling attention to pool safety leading into the summer season will have a positive impact on reducing pool and spa-related injuries and deaths.

I thank my colleague and ranking member, Senator Blumenthal, for being here to help promote awareness of the issues surrounding pool and spa safety. Certainly if greater awareness can prevent just one child's death, we will have succeeded.

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