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House Approves Remembrance Day
HB 200 Would Set Aside July 3
to Honor Drunk Driving Victims

(JUNEAU) - The House unanimously passed House Bill 200 today, to establish July 3 as Drunk Driving Victims Remembrance Day in Alaska.

Sponsored by the House Judiciary Committee, HB 200 would not only help preserve the memories of Alaskans whose lives were cut short by drunken drivers, but would also serve as an occasion for all drivers to reflect on the consequences of getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, said Rep. Norman Rokeberg (R-Anchorage), chairman of the committee.

Rokeberg said he selected July 3 partly to honor a young girl in Anchorage who was riding her bicycle on the sidewalk last year when she was killed by a drunk driver, and also because it comes just one day before the Independence Day holiday, which all-too-many Alaskans use as a pretext for irresponsible drinking.

"I hope that the Drunk Driving Victims Remembrance Day will cause many people to pause a minute as they plan their holiday activities, to take the necessary actions to protect us all," Rokeberg said. "By stopping and honoring those who have suffered at the hands of drunk drivers, there is hope we will all remember what to do: Don't drink and drive; use a designated driver."

Rokeberg has focused much time and attention on the problem of drunk driving this legislative session, introducing legislation to significantly increase the penalties for driving while impaired, to recriminalize consumption of alcohol by minors, and to reduce liability for cab drivers driving inebriated bar patrons home.

HB 200 moves next to the Senate for consideration.

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