A day to thank school bus drivers

Make sure to give credit where credit is due on Friday, Oct. 21, which was declared the first-ever School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in the State of New York. The bill was sponsored by NYS Senator William Larkin and signed into law in May by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The proclamation is reprinted here: WHEREAS, Each school day, more than two million children are transported to and from school in school buses in cities, towns and suburbs across the State of New York; and WHEREAS, The safety and well-being of these children are the utmost concern to all New Yorkers and parents and schools entrust school bus drivers with the welfare of these children; and WHEREAS, The position of a school bus driver requires tremendous responsibility; they have to maneuver through traffic regardless of road conditions while maintaining the conduct of the children on the bus and are looked upon for leadership and life-saving decision-making in the event of an emergency; and WHEREAS,School bus drivers delicately direct these children while they are exiting the bus at their destination; when an adult is normally at a bus stop to meet a child and is not present, they will keep that child in their safe care until adult supervision is located or the child can be returned to school; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, school bus drivers may also be an important aid in the fight against terrorism; they are able to observe any suspicious activity or people along their bus route and communicate that information to the proper authorities; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to these dedicated professionals who deliver children throughout this great Empire State safely every day of every school year; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Oct. 21, 2011, as School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in the State of New York.