FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2021
CONTACT: Pete Daniels / pdaniels@saferoads.org / 301-442-2249 (C)
Statement on the Retirement of Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman
Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates): “House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR) is a shrewd negotiator, a masterful legislator and a dedicated safety advocate. Countless lives have been and will continue to be saved due to his skills and savvy, including the safety advances in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. I commend Chairman DeFazio for 36 years of service in Congress and his vital leadership to improve safety on our nation’s roadways.”
Joan Claybrook, former Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Chair of Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways (CRASH) and Board Member of Advocates: “Throughout his illustrious and impressive tenure in Congress, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio has been a driving force seeking legislation to make roadways safer for all. In appreciation and recognition, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety bestowed on him our Highway Safety Leader Award. He fearlessly took on tough safety fights and was adept at succeeding, including most recently with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Provisions in this new law have the potential to bring about consequential road and vehicle safety improvements for years to come. These advances will save tens of thousands of lives, part of a truly impressive legacy for Chairman DeFazio. In addition to motor vehicle safety, Chairman DeFazio lead an in-depth investigation disclosing Boeing’s failures to prevent design and operational deficiencies in its 737 Max plane that resulted in two planes crashing and killing hundreds of occupants. His leadership forced the FAA and Boeing to make major design safety and operational improvements. The American public will miss Peter DeFazio.”
Jackie Gillan, President Emeritus of Advocates and Co-founder of CRASH: “The truck safety community and the families of truck crash victims and survivors from across the country are grateful for Chairman DeFazio’s critical role in advancing numerous safety measures throughout his career in Congress and as Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Because of his leadership, many overdue mandates for federal truck safety standards to prevent crashes and save lives were included in the recently-passed infrastructure bill. He recognized serious safety problems, stood up for families, faced down special interests, and worked to advance lifesaving solutions. Our neighborhood streets and roads are safer today for every family in every state because of his steadfast tenacity resulting in numerous safety laws and programs.”
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement, and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to improve road safety in the U.S. Advocates’ mission is the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that prevent motor vehicle crashes, save lives, reduce injuries, and contain costs.
###