WHEREAS, Traditionally, on the fourth Tuesday of April, the people of California recognize all school bus 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 school bus schoolbus drivers; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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