Apply Now!

In The News

Rep. Tonko urges truckers to push for ‘Jason’s Law’ bills

By Clarissa Kell-Holland, staff writer - Land Line
Posted Jun 29th 2010 6:12AM


After hearing the news that a truck driver from his home district had been murdered after failing to find a safe place to stop and rest, one U.S. lawmaker stepped into action.

Just seven weeks after Jason Rivenburg of Fultonham, NY, was fatally shot while parked at an unlit gas station in South Carolina, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-NY, introduced his bill – HR2156 – which would allocate $120 million during the next six years for safety improvements at rest areas and truck stops around the country.

On Monday, June 28, many drivers took time out of their busy schedules to make phone calls to their lawmakers after Jason’s widow, Hope, asked them to do so as a way to honor her husband’s memory.

Tonko told Land Line on Monday that it’s extremely important for drivers and their families to continue making calls to their representatives in Congress.

“We must make sure our message about Jason’s Law is heard loud and clear; otherwise, we continue to put the safety of our truckers at risk,” he said. “I join Hope Rivenburg in asking people to call their representatives in Congress to stress the importance of this bill and ask for their support.”

Tonko’s bill currently has 42 cosponsors. A similar bill, S971, has been introduced in the Senate.

To contact your two senators and representative, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and provide the operator with your home ZIP code. The operator will connect you with the offices of your lawmakers.

You can also call the OOIDA Membership Department at 800-444-5791 and they will look up the contact information for you. In addition, if you have an iPhone, Droid or BlackBerry, you can get federal lawmakers’ contact information through an easily accessed application.

This legislation is critical for drivers who know all too well the struggles they face daily to find safe parking.

“I am committed to this bill and to making sure Jason Rivenburg’s death will not be in vain,” Tonko said.

[email protected]

www.LandLineMag.com