WHEREAS, Traditionally, on the fourth Tuesday of April, the people of California recognize all schoolbus drivers for their continued and excellent services to the youth of the state, and these drivers are deserving of special public recognition and the highest commendations; and

WHEREAS, The California Association of School Transportation Officials is a professional organization that promotes safe pupil transportation and advocates for continued high standards for California’s schoolbus drivers; and

WHEREAS, The safety of our children rests in the hands of trained schoolbus drivers for up to six or seven hours each schoolday; and

WHEREAS, Personal time and energy are expended by schoolbus drivers in their initial training, maintaining a current license, perfecting their driving skills, and accruing added knowledge of schoolbus laws through continuing education classes; and

WHEREAS, Schoolbus drivers, through counseling and disciplinary techniques, are sometimes asked to assist pupils in appropriate interactive peer and adult behavior; and

WHEREAS, Schoolbus drivers often face natural and unexpected hazards in the performance of their duties; and

WHEREAS, Schoolbus drivers exhibit patience and kindness toward pupils, parents, and school staff in the performance of their duties; and

WHEREAS, Schoolbus drivers consistently demonstrate an awareness of, and direct attention to, the mechanical maintenance of the schoolbus and safety conditions of the schoolbus routes; and

WHEREAS, Many schoolbus drivers perform their services for thousands and thousands of accident-free miles, year after year; now, therefore, be it