SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 542

WHEREAS, Drunk driving is a serious problem in the State of Texas, and its far-reaching consequences can include damage to property, injury of innocent victims, and loss of life; and

WHEREAS, A contributing factor in more than one third of all traffic-related deaths in Texas, drunk driving also results in tens of thousands of injuries every year in this state; and

WHEREAS, Texas led the nation in drunk driving fatalities in 2007 with 1,292, and this state's percentage of traffic fatalities associated with drunk driving was well above the national average of 31.7 percent; and

WHEREAS, In just one terrible instance of the devastation that can result from driving under the influence of alcohol, Nicole "Lillyh" Lalime was killed by a suspected drunk driver immediately after getting off her school bus in front of her home on December 16, 2008; and

WHEREAS, In her case, the driver already had one conviction for a drunk driving offense; and

WHEREAS, Increased enforcement and penalties offer a potential tool in the fight against this serious problem, which exacts a great toll on our society at large and on individual families, like Bill and Valoree Lalime, whose tragic loss is a stark reminder of the consequences of drunk driving; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby call on all Texans to work tirelessly to reduce the incidence of drunk driving in our state; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of the victims of drunk driving.

Patrick

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 30, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate