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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 445
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize the North American Safe Boating Campaign on the |
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occasion of National Safe Boating Week, May 16 through 22, 2009; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Recreational boating is fun and enjoyable, and |
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the citizens of Texas are fortunate that this state has |
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sufficient resources to accommodate a wide variety of pleasure |
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boating demands; and |
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WHEREAS, Boating is a marvelous source of recreation, but, |
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for the unprepared, it can be a risky sport; not knowing or |
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obeying the Navigation Rules or the nautical "Rules of the Road," |
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drinking alcohol or taking drugs while operating a boat, or |
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choosing not to wear a life jacket when it is clearly the safe |
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thing to do are all examples of human error or a lack of proper |
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judgment that can lead to accidents and the loss of life; and |
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WHEREAS, Knowledge and skills are important in reducing |
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human error and improving judgment; with knowledge of the risks, |
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people will take steps to protect themselves; the goal of the |
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safe boating campaign is to increase public awareness of the |
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risks inherent in unsafe boating practices not only during safe |
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boating week but throughout the year; and |
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WHEREAS, On average, 700 people die each year in |
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boating-related accidents in the United States; nearly 70 |
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percent of these fatalities are caused by drowning; the vast |
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majority of these accidents are caused by human error or poor |
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judgment and not by the boat, equipment, or environmental |
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factors; and |
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WHEREAS, One particular behavior that can reduce by |
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approximately 80 percent the number of boaters who lose their |
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lives by drowning each year is the wearing of a life jacket; it is |
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a simple habit that has the potential to reduce terrible loss in |
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lives; and |
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WHEREAS, Modern life jackets are more comfortable, more |
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attractive, and more wearable than styles of years past and |
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deserve a fresh look by today's boating public; a significant |
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number of the boaters who have lost their lives by drowning each |
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year would be alive today had they worn their life jackets; and |
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WHEREAS, A life jacket is without doubt a vital part of the |
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safe practice of recreational boating; the slogan of the safe |
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boating campaign urges the public to "Boat Smart. Boat Safe. Wear |
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It."; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st |
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Legislature, hereby commend the goals of the North American Safe |
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Boating Campaign and recognize May 16 through 22, 2009, as Safe |
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Boating Week in Texas and the start of the year-round effort to |
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promote safe boating; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in |
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commemoration of Safe Boating Week in Texas. |
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Van de Putte |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on March 19, 2009. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |