Recognizing the 20th Anniversary of the American Bus Association's Bus Industry Safety Council

Floor Speech

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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, today I wish to recognize the American Bus Association (ABA) and its Bus Industry Safety Council or ``BISC.'' This year BISC will be celebrating its 20th anniversary as the only private motorcoach safety organization in North America. In 2000, ABA had the foresight and dedication to establish BISC for the sole purpose of enhancing the safety of commercial passenger-carrying motor vehicle operations. Initially, the group was made up of 30 passionate and dedicated bus industry safety directors but has since grown into a vital network of highway safety advocates, including members of the motorcoach industry, federal and local safety oversight and enforcement officials, research entities, and international organizations. I would like to congratulate ABA and the Bus Industry Safety Council on this auspicious occasion and recognize BISC's 20 years of commitment to improving bus and motorcoach safety.

In response to the horrific events of a bus crash that claimed 23 lives just outside New Orleans on May 10, 1999, Mother's Day, and a year that saw a high-water mark of 32 motorcoach passenger fatalities, ABA supported the formation of BISC. The founding goal of the Council was, and remains today, to continually raise the level of safety in the intercity bus and motorcoach industry through collaborative efforts with industry, government officials, and other safety professionals in a workshop and educational environment. To its credit, BISC has and continues to successfully meet this goal.

Through BISC's education and outreach efforts, onboard motorcoach passenger fatalities have continued to decrease since its establishment, annually providing nearly 600 million passengers with safe transportation. The BISC has played a critical role in assisting the industry to adopt safety technology and practices. Growing from that initial core of 30 founding members, BISC now counts over 400 individuals among its membership, representing every aspect of the motorcoach industry. BISC members provide expertise in areas such as security, mechanical, safety, and operational and maintenance responsibilities, with leadership from across the entire North American motorcoach industry. The group meets regularly to discuss issues and innovations in areas of safety, regulatory compliance, mechanics, technology, and passenger security, to address the transportation safety needs not only of today but for the future of the national transportation system.

I would like to join with ABA and the entire motorcoach industry in saluting this safety organization. We recognize the many contributions BISC has made to highway safety and the success in bringing the traveling public safely to their destinations. Congratulations to the Bus Industry Safety Council on 20 years of dedication and commitment to bus and motorcoach safety. Keep up the good work, as we look forward to the next 20 years.

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