INTRODUCING THE NATIONAL AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE SAFETY ACT OF 2009 -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 20, 2009)
* Mr. MARKEY of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, Memorial Day is the beginning of the season when many American families take their children to our amusement parks for a day of fun and sun. Most Americans, when they enter an amusement park, believe that the rides at these parks are subject to oversight by the nation's top consumer safety watchdog--the Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC. However, this is, unbelievably, not the case. Since 1981, a ``Roller Coaster Loophole'' has been carved out of the Consumer Product Safety Act.
* This loophole is a dangerous gap in child safety and injury prevention, and it is having serious consequences. Between 1987 and 2004, the CPSC reports that there were 3,400 amusement park ride-related accidents and deaths. This estimate is likely lower than the actual number of injuries, due to the CPSC's lack of authority over fixed-site rides.
* It is time to act on the words of President Obama when he called for us to, ``do more to protect the American public--especially our nation's children--from being harmed by unsafe products.''
* It is time to put the safety of our children first--it is time to close the Roller Coaster Loophole.
* Today, I am re-introducing the National Amusement Park Safety Act, to restore safety oversight to a largely unregulated industry and protect our nation's children.
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