Senate Resolution 450--Designating June 2006 as National Safety Month

SENATE RESOLUTION 450--DESIGNATING JUNE 2006 AS NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH

Mr. DEWINE (for himself, Mrs. DOLE, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr. ALLEN, and Mr. DURBIN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

S. Res. 450

Whereas the mission of the National Safety Council is to educate and influence citizens of the United States to adopt safety, health, and environmental policies, practices, and procedures that prevent and mitigate human suffering and economic losses arising from preventable causes;

Whereas the National Safety Council works to protect lives and promote health with innovative programs;

Whereas the National Safety Council, founded in 1913, is celebrating its 93rd anniversary in 2006 as the premier source of safety and health information, education, and training in the United States;

Whereas the National Safety Council was chartered by Congress in 1953, and is celebrating its 53rd anniversary in 2006 as a congressionally-chartered organization;

Whereas even with advancements in safety that create a safer environment for the people of the United States, such as new legislation and improvements in technology, the unintentional-injury death toll is still unacceptable;

Whereas the National Safety Council has demonstrated leadership in educating citizens of the United States on how to prevent injuries and deaths to senior citizens as a result of falls;

Whereas citizens deserve a solution to nationwide safety and health threats;

Whereas such a solution requires the cooperation of all levels of government, as well as the general public;

Whereas the summer season, traditionally a time of increased unintentional-injury fatalities, is an appropriate time to focus attention on both the problem and the solution to such safety and health threats; and

Whereas the theme of ``National Safety Month'' for 2006 is ``Making Our World A Safer Place'': Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates June 2006 as ``National Safety Month''; and

(2) recognizes the accomplishments of the National Safety Council and calls upon the citizens of the United States to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies and respect.

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, today I join with Senator Dole, Senator Landrieu, Senator Allen, and Senator Durbin to submit a resolution to designate June 2006 as National Safety Month. This year, the National Safety Council has selected ``making our world a safer place'' as its theme for National Safety Month. And that is certainly a goal we want and need to achieve.

Public safety in the workplace, in our homes, and in communities, and on our roads and highways is a vital challenge that we all face. According to the National Safety Council, more than 20 million Americans suffer disabling injuries and 100,000 people die from their injuries each year. In the United States, nearly 43,000 people die each year from motor vehicle crashes, making auto fatalities the number one killer of those between the ages of 4 and 34. Many of these deaths and injuries could be prevented with increased education and information on proper precautionary measures.

The goal of National Safety Month is to raise public awareness about safety and injury prevention in hopes of reducing these needless deaths and injuries. June also is an appropriate month to focus our efforts on public safety since the summer season is traditionally a time of increased accidental injuries and fatalities.

Throughout the month, the National Safety Council and other safety organizations will urge businesses to increase their safety standards in the workplace and provide information to individuals on injury prevention in all aspects of their lives.

I look forward to working with other Members of Congress and the many safety organizations to help educate the public on the importance of injury prevention and make our world a safer place.

I thank my fellow Colleagues for their support of this resolution and for their continued dedication to public safety. I also would like to thank the National Safety Council, which celebrates its 93rd anniversary in 2006, as a leading source of safety and health information, education, and training in the United States. Their work is vital and makes a difference each and every day.

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