WHEREAS, Idaho’s school bus drivers are a vital part of Idaho’s public school system, traveling more than 28 million miles each year as they transport more than 102,000 students each day to and from school and school-sanctioned activities; and

        WHEREAS, Idaho school bus drivers have been committed to professional development and training to improve their knowledge and skills and to a comprehensive program of public awareness, continuing education, and advocacy for better traffic and road conditions as a way to ensure the safety and well-being of students and of other drivers who share the State’s roadways with school buses; and

        WHEREAS, more than 2,800 drivers, dispatchers, trainers, technicians, and support staff involved in the transportation program, some as school district employees and some as private employees working under contract to provide services, have compiled an outstanding safety record in Idaho; and

        WHEREAS, the week of October 15 through 21, 2006, is National School Bus Safety Week throughout the nation in recognition of the contribution drivers and other school transportation staff make to the nation’s public education system, and it is fitting that we set aside a special time to commend these dedicated citizens;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. RISCH, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim October 18^th, 2006, to be

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION PERSONNEL APPRECIATION DAY

in Idaho, and encourage all citizens to recognize school bus drivers and support program staff for the services they provide.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 17th day of July in the year of our Lord two thousand and six and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-first and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred seventeenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE