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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, National Safe Boating Week is being observed from |
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May 16 to 22, 2009, to raise awareness about the importance of |
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always wearing a life jacket on the water; and |
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WHEREAS, Recreational boating, including fishing and water |
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skiing, is an immensely popular summer sport among Texans, and |
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waterways can quickly become crowded, resulting in confusion, |
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unforeseen risks, and, too often, tragedy; and |
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WHEREAS, According to the National Safe Boating Council, |
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about 700 people die each year in boating-related accidents, and |
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nearly 70 percent of these fatalities are caused by drowning; the |
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vast majority of accidents occur because of human error or poor |
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judgment and can be easily prevented; and |
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WHEREAS, It has been estimated that wearing a life jacket can |
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reduce the number of boaters who drown by approximately 80 percent; |
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although many boaters stow life jackets on board, there is rarely |
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enough time to properly employ one in the event of an accident; in |
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an effort to increase people's willingness to wear them, modern |
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life jackets have been designed to be smaller, lighter, and more |
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comfortable; and |
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WHEREAS, Boating accidents happen regardless of one's |
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experience level, and wearing a life jacket is the most effective |
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way to prevent drowning for veteran and novice boaters alike; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize May 16 to 22, 2009, as National Safe |
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Boating Week and encourage Texans to wear life jackets at all times |
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while on the water. |