TITLE: Recognizing May 21 through 27, 2011, as Safe Boating Week in Texas.

SUMMARY: Recognizing May 21 through 27, 2011, as Safe Boating Week in Texas.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the North American Safe Boating Campaign on the occasion of National Safe Boating Week, May 21 through 27, 2011; and WHEREAS, Recreational boating is fun and enjoyable, and the citizens of Texas are fortunate that this state has sufficient resources to accommodate a wide variety of pleasure boating demands; and WHEREAS, Boating is a marvelous source of recreation, but, for the unprepared, it can be a risky sport; not knowing or obeying the Navigation Rules or the nautical "Rules of the Road," drinking alcohol or taking drugs while operating a boat, or choosing not to wear a life jacket when it is clearly the safe thing to do are all examples of human error or a lack of proper judgment that can lead to accidents and the loss of life; and WHEREAS, Knowledge and skills are important in reducing human error and improving judgment; with knowledge of the risks, people will take steps to protect themselves; the goal of the safe boating campaign is to increase public awareness of the risks inherent in unsafe boating practices not only during safe boating week but throughout the year; and WHEREAS, On average, 700 people die each year in boating-related accidents in the United States; nearly 70 percent of these fatalities are caused by drowning; the vast majority of these accidents are caused by human error or poor judgment and not by the boat, equipment, or environmental factors; and WHEREAS, One particular behavior that can reduce by approximately 80 percent the number of boaters who lose their lives by drowning each year is the wearing of a life jacket; it is a simple habit that has the potential to reduce terrible loss in lives; and WHEREAS, Modern life jackets are more comfortable, more attractive, and more wearable than styles of years past and deserve a fresh look by today's boating public; a significant number of the boaters who have lost their lives by drowning each year would be alive today had they worn their life jackets; and WHEREAS, A life jacket is without doubt a vital part of the safe practice of recreational boating; the slogan of the safe boating campaign urges the public to "Boat Smart. Boat Safe. Wear It."; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby commend the goals of the North American Safe Boating Campaign and recognize May 21 through 27, 2011, as Safe Boating Week in Texas and the start of the year-round effort to promote safe boating; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in commemoration of Safe Boating Week in Texas. Van de Putte President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 29, 2011.