U.S. Congress Designates June 2008 as "National Safety Month"
Itasca, IL. – The United States House of Representatives has voted unanimously to support a
resolution (H. Res. 1225)
that designates June 2008 as National Safety Month. National Safety Month is an annual public awareness event of the
National Safety Council and a “call to action” for employers and other organizations to help reverse a dramatic national
increase in accidental injuries and deaths.
The 2008 theme of National Safety Month is “Make a Difference.”
Stating the case for National Safety Month, U.S. Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL), who introduced the resolution,
pointed to a current, significant increase in the number of unintentional injuries and deaths in the U.S. following
what had been years of decline.
“By providing a public service campaign around the theme ‘Make A Difference,’ the National Safety Council promotes
public awareness by highlighting the most significant causes for unintentional injuries and deaths in the workplace,
on the road, and in the home and community,” Rep. Davis said.
Noting that accidental injuries cost Americans more than $650 billion annually and that
16 workers die every day on the job in the workplace, Congressman John Yarmuth
(D-KY)added: “Far too many lives are lost and too many suffer because of preventable accidents.
Protecting the citizens of this nation from these accidents requires the cooperation of
federal, state and local institutions, as well as help from the citizenry. This June we must
encourage all Americans to take time to learn how they can help make this country safer.”
Also speaking for the resolution, Congressman Randy Kuhl (R-NY) urged support of National Safety Council programs
that reflect the Council’s mission to make the world safer.
“It is the only organization promoting safety in the workplace, transportation arena, and in homes and
communities,” he said.
The resolution passed with a House vote of 379 to 0.
The National Safety Council (www.nsc.org) is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, international public service organization
dedicated to educating and influencing people to prevent accidental injuries and deaths. Members of the NSC include more
than 50,000 businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals. Founded in 1913
and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953, the primary focus of the NSC is promoting safety and health in the workplace,
in transportation, and in homes and communities.
