1Recognizing "Wear It Pennsylvania!" as the campaign to increase
2life jacket wear while boating in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, More Pennsylvanians than ever are heading to the
4waterways for recreation and relaxation. Boating has become the
5Commonwealth's premier recreational activity as people discover
6the Keystone State's wonderful waterways, from wilderness
7canoeing on the Clarion River to deep water boating on the
8Delaware to exhilarating whitewater rafting on the Youghiogheny
9River; and

10WHEREAS, As more people turn to the water, safe boating
11practices and boating safety education are more important than
12ever. Whether enjoying water sports for the first time or
13carrying on long-standing nautical traditions, all boaters need
14to start the season with the basic knowledge and skills required
15to ensure their own safety and the safety of their fellow
16Pennsylvanians who take to the water; and

17WHEREAS, The slogan "Wear It Pennsylvania!" is designed to
18raise public awareness of the importance of life jacket wear.

1Life jackets are the most important piece of equipment on a
2boat. In fact, nearly 80% of boating fatalities in Pennsylvania
3were not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident; and

4WHEREAS, In recognizing that fact, lives could be saved each
5year by the simple act of wearing life jackets; and

6WHEREAS, Life jackets are more comfortable, more attractive
7and more wearable than styles of years past; and

8WHEREAS, The law requires that a wearable life jacket be
9carried for each person on a boat; therefore be it

10RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the goals
11of "Wear It Pennsylvania!" and recognize this boating season as
12the start of the year-round effort to promote safe boating in
13Pennsylvania.