GOVERNOR CORZINE SIGNS PROCLAMATION
LAUNCHING DESIGNATED DRIVING CAMPAIGN

TRENTON- Governor Jon S. Corzine today signed a proclamation making New Jersey the first state to officially launch the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers.  The national campaign was started by the family of Navy Ensign John Elliott of Atlantic County who was killed in 2000 in a head on collision with a drunk driver.

The purpose of the campaign is to encourage people to participate in designated driving programs throughout New Jersey and the nation. The HERO Campaign works in cooperation with schools, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and other community-based organizations.

 “The HERO Campaign’s mission is to end drunk-driving fatalities, injuries and accidents nationwide by promoting designated driving and reminding the public to drive sober,” said Governor Corzine. “I’m proud that we’re bringing attention to the noble cause of the HERO campaign and encouraging New Jersey residents to use designated drivers.”

The HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers was started by the family of John Elliott who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with academic distinction in 2000, and had been named the HERO Officer of his class for leadership.  Two months later, on his way home from Annapolis for his mother’s birthday, he was killed by a drunk driver who had been arrested for driving while intoxicated three hours earlier and released into the custody of a friend.

The young man’s parents, Muriel and William, and his sister, Jennifer, joined Governor Corzine at the Statehouse for the signing of the proclamation, which also designates Dec. 18, 2006 as HERO Campaign Day.   The Governor also recognized the family’s efforts to pass John’s Law, at both the state and federal levels, which requires that police impound the cars of drunk drivers for at least 12 hours.  Governor Corzine sponsored a federal version of the legislation while in the U.S. Senate.   
“Our goal is simple:  to bring an end to drunk driving in America, and to spare other families the agony of losing a son or a daughter,” said William Elliott.  “Today does not mark the end of drunk driving, but let it mark the beginning of the end.  No parent should ever have to lose a son or daughter to a drunken driver.  We promised John we would do everything possible to bring an end to drunk driving.  With your help we can keep our promise.”

In 2005, 27 percent of New Jersey’s traffic fatalities were alcohol-related fatalities.  This year, there have been more than 36,000 drunk driving arrests in the state.
Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D-1) also spoke at the proclamation signing.  Albano’s son Michael was killed in 2001 by a drunk driver.

“I know all too well how drunk driving can affect someone. When my son Michael was killed by a repeat drunk driver my entire world changed,” said Assemblyman Albano. “I didn’t want others to go through that pain so I worked with Assemblyman Van Drew and had Michael’s law passed, which stiffens the penalties for repeat drunk drivers.”

The Proclamation is below:
            WHEREAS, on July 22, 2000, Navy Ensign John Elliott was driving home from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis for his mother’s birthday when he was killed in Salem County in a head-on collision with a drunk driver; and
            WHEREAS, in memory of their son, the Elliot family launched the HERO Campaign in August of 2000 to promote designated driving, naming the campaign in honor of John’s selection as HERO officer of his Naval Academy class in recognition of his accomplishments as a caring peer counselor and advocate for his fellow classmates; and
            WHEREAS, The HERO Campaign’s mission is to end drunk-driving fatalities, injuries and accidents nationwide by promoting designated driving and reminding the public to drive sober, promoting the motto “Be a Hero. Be a Designated Driver!” and
            WHEREAS, The HERO Campaign not only encourages designated driving programs nationally but promoted the enactment of stricter drunk-driving laws, leading to New Jersey’s enactment of John’s Law in 2001, and federal legislation that provides highway safety grant incentives for states to adopt car impoundment for DUI suspects; and
            WHEREAS, in cooperation with schools, colleges, business, law enforcement agencies and other community-based organizations the State of New Jersey asks you to help keep drunk drivers off our highways; and
            WHEREAS, campaign goals and programs include increased use of designated drivers whenever friends gather in private parties or at bars and taverns to drink alcoholic beverages; and
            WHEREAS, blue and gold ribbons and decals, in honor of John and the Naval Academy, are the official symbol of the HERO Campaign; and
            WHEREAS, the HERO Campaign has become an important tool for law enforcement; and
            WHEREAS, the Elliot family goal has been to allow John's memory to live on through campaigns and laws that will save lives;
            NOW, THEREFORE, I, JON S. CORZINE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, do hereby honor Navy Ensign John Elliott's memory by designating New Jersey as the first HERO CAMPAIGN STATE and declare December 18, 2006 to be commemorated as HERO CAMPAIGN DAY in New Jersey, encouraging all state residents to participate in designated driving programs wherever they travel, whether as a driver or a passenger.

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