Thanks Gerri for that warm introduction.

It’s a real pleasure to be with y’all this evening, particularly during a week in which we celebrate National Transportation Week.

I want to commend OLI for their continued great work and perseverance. The long-standing partnership between the USDOT and OLI is one we can all be proud of.

Working together, significant reductions in the number of highway-rail crossing collisions have been achieved since the early 1970's.

Even more impressive is the progress we’ve made just in the past few years.

During 2002, the number of grade crossing collisions, fatalities and injuries were the lowest ever recorded! (3066, 355, 988).

But we all know that 355 deaths are still too many because most if not all of these accidents are preventable!

More than ever, we need to support OL’s efforts to educate all Americans about the dangers at highway-rail crossings and along rail lines.

Unfortunately, for all the progress that’s been made, trespassing remains the leading cause of rail-related deaths in America......and the number of injuries and fatalities has risen over the past few years.

Combined, crossing collisions and trespass fatalities account for a staggering 95% of rail deaths.

Folks, it’s really hard to take satisfaction when about 1,000 people a year are still dying needlessly.

OL’s educational outreach efforts are as critical as ever in raising public awareness.

The “Three E’s” paradigm is still our recipe for success.

We still need to encourage states and localities to make sound engineering solutions like closing unnecessary or redundant crossings.

We need to help ensure states and railroads keep the National Highway-Rail Crossing Inventory up to date.

We need to support OL’s nationwide and local public education activities.

We couldn’t achieve the successes I’ve mentioned without OL’s dedicated volunteer presenters.

OL’s public safety messages are reaching more people than ever, especially in the law enforcement and commercial truck driver community.

We’re reaching out to entertainment media and advertisers to put a stop to inappropriate portrayals of motorist and pedestrian behavior on or near railroad property.

We still need to assist law enforcement agencies, not just in enforcing existing traffic safety laws, but educating violators.

So tonight, let’s reaffirm our partnership and celebrate our successes, but let’s not forget the most important part of our work - saving lives.