A RESOLUTION

 

1Recognizing the "Wear It Pennsylvania" campaign during the 2013
2boating season to increase life jacket wear while boating in
3Pennsylvania.

4WHEREAS, More Pennsylvanians than ever are heading to the
5waterways for recreation and relaxation; and

6WHEREAS, Boating has become this Commonwealth's premier
7recreational activity as people discover the Keystone State's
8wonderful waterways, from wilderness canoeing on the Clarion
9River to deep water boating on the Delaware to exhilarating
10whitewater rafting on the Youghiogheny River; and

11WHEREAS, As more people turn to the water, safe boating
12practices and boating safety education are more important than
13ever; and

14WHEREAS, Whether enjoying water sports for the first time or
15carrying on long-standing nautical traditions, all boaters need
16to start the season with the basic knowledge and skills required
17to ensure their own safety and the safety of their fellow
18Pennsylvanians who take to the water; and

19WHEREAS, The slogan "Wear it Pennsylvania" is designed to

1raise public awareness of the importance of life jacket wear;
2and

3WHEREAS, Life jackets are the most important piece of
4equipment on a boat. In fact, nearly 80% of boating fatalities
5in Pennsylvania were not wearing a life jacket at the time of
6the incident; and

7WHEREAS, In recognizing that fact, lives could be saved each
8year by the simple act of wearing life jackets; and

9WHEREAS, Life jackets are more comfortable, more attractive
10and more wearable than styles of years past; and

11WHEREAS, The law requires that a wearable life jacket be
12carried for each person on a boat; therefore be it

13RESOLVED, That the Senate support the goals of "Wear It
14Pennsylvania" and recognize this boating season as the start of
15the year-round effort to promote safe boating in Pennsylvania.