Hope Rivenburg, widow of Jason Rivenburg who was slain in March 2009 while parked in an abandoned gas station waiting to make a delivery, requested truckers call their representatives to demand more parking facilities nationwide. For a list of congressmen, call the Washington switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or (800) 962-3524 or go to www.house.gov.
Legislative efforts to address the problem are continuing. On June 13, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) reintroduced his bill (S1187) regarding long-term parking for commercial vehicles. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) is a co-sponsor to the bill, which was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
In May, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) reintroduced his Jason’s Law bill (HR 1803). His bill would provide $20 million a year for five years in existing funds for grants to increase the number of safe truck parking spots. The bill has 14 co-sponsors.
