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Nobody's Waterproof
(press release)

photo contributed
WBT pro-angler Helen
Gordon of Flower Mound, Texas will be promoting
watercraft safety in behalf of the Britteny Lindt
Foundation.
3-11-08 Press
Conference – Britteny Sage Lindt Fund
1)
–
Thank you to the press and community for support and being here
2)
-
The BSLF was founded 8-21-06 and has accomplished the following;
A – Funded 3
scholarships for LISD
B – Donated a 21
ft boat to P&W for Nobody's Waterproof campaign, which they were
able to talk to and educate over 2,000 watercraft operators in
2007. In the P&W words, "The BSLF has saved lives"
C - 4 bills
submitted to the TX state legislature in 2007. Only one passed,
while 2 were killed in the House, as they ran out of time and
never voted on them. 3 of the 4 bills passed unanimously in the
committee hearings. The only one that had no support was the
watercraft education bill.
D – Through the
BSLF awareness efforts and the support of P&W, patrol boats on
Lewisville Lake in 2007 were increased from 1 boat – up to 5
patrol boats
E – Countless
news articles and broadcasts from the media, which raised
awareness, together - we all saved lives in 2007.
3)
–
We are here today to announce the partnership of the BSLF, the
American Bass Anglers Tour, and Professional Angler Helen Gordon
– with the women's Bassmaster tour. This is an opportunity to
take the BSLF campaign into a national arena for action and
awareness.
4)
The
Bass Angler membership and statistics is a good match with our
cause of watercraft safety and safer roads.
A-
50
MM sport fishermen & women in the USA
B-
30
MM freshwater Anglers in the US
C-
These Anglers spend $42 Billion in retail sales annually
D-
Overall annual economic output for sport fishing is $116 Billion
(Texas alone is 5 Billion)
E-
More Americans fish than play Golf & Tennis combined
► 140 MM possible
impressions for the BSLF in viewership between, Television,
Radio, internet, and print media
► Our goal is to
create the understanding that there is a need for a national
campaign to promote and pass legislation requiring watercraft
education, insurance requirements, and on the water and on the
roads - strict drunk driving consequences.
► The Bass
tournaments will take Helen Gordon's truck and boat to over 20
lakes throughout Texas and into Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and
Arkansas
► We anticipate
coverage of the BSLF campaign and goals in 4 different national
magazines, and ESPN Television
► We will be
working on multiple watercraft safety laws for the 2009 Texas
legislative session. We will also be in support of Drunk Driving
bills before the TX legislature.
► We will be
working to create partnerships with states around the country to
do the same and eventually gain support from state legislators
around the country to require that watercraft follow the same
type of education, alcohol restraints, and insurance
requirements that we have all come to appreciate on automobiles
and motorcycles.
A watercraft is a
moving vehicle, with far less safety controls and equipment,
thus watercraft recreation should NOT get a pass on compliance
with moving vehicle safety standards that are conducive to
watercraft and the safety of those partaking in this great
recreational experience.
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