78R7210 JNC-D

By:  Mercer                                                       H.R. No. 399



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death 
for drivers aged 16 to 20, as demonstrated by the deaths of more 
than 5,000 teenagers nationwide during 2000, and the serious injury 
of many more teenage drivers and passengers during that time; and
	WHEREAS, Across Texas and across the United States, research 
shows that teenage drivers are seven times more likely to be injured 
or killed in a motor vehicle accident; and
	WHEREAS, This serious problem is evident in the San Antonio 
region, where 24 young people were killed in motor vehicle 
accidents in 2000, with 10 of those deaths occurring in one six-week 
period; and
	WHEREAS, The students, faculty, and administration of 
William Howard Taft High School, in San Antonio's Northside 
Independent School District, have joined forces with the Texas 
Department of Transportation and the Texas Transportation 
Institute to reverse this tragic trend through the development of a 
unique teen driver awareness program, project Y.I.E.L.D., or Youths 
Informing Every Living Driver; and
	WHEREAS, This creative effort is distinguished by its unique 
peer-to-peer approach and it is the first such program of its kind 
in Texas; through the actions of its students, faculty, and 
administration, William Howard Taft High School has demonstrated 
bold leadership that will undoubtedly save the lives of countless 
young Texans; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize the students of project Y.I.E.L.D., 
along with their state agency partners, for their innovation, 
dedication, and important contribution to their school, to their 
community, and to the State of Texas.