Virginia Lawmakers Defeat Lifesaving Safety Measure

       Statement Attributed to the Virginia Coalition for Child Safety

    RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 14 -- The House of Delegates today
reversed its decision from yesterday to pass the primary seat belt bill and
voted to reject Senator Mims' bill SB325, 48249.
    Statement attributed to Patty French, co-chair of the Virginia Coalition
for Child Safety:
    French has joined other advocates in support of this bill because she lost
her son when he was unbuckled in an automobile crash a few years ago.

    "House Republican leadership went back on a promise to give this bill a
fair hearing.  Their decision to whip members of their party into changing
their votes is proof that their prose was nothing but a joke.  I guess it is
only convenient for them to make a deal when they think they are going to
win."
    "We are disappointed that three members who have been as committed to this
bill as Dels.  Devolites, McDonnell and Carrico did not have the courage of
their convictions and bowed to the pressure of leadership.  This is a sad day
for the safety of Virginia's families."