The Texas Water Safety Coalition, The Central Texas Drowning Prevention Action Team, Live Like Cati, Emma’s Project, Colin’s Hope, the Texas Alliance of YMCA’s and water safety advocates from across the State invited the media to a Press Conference on Wednesday, May 17 in the House Speakers Committee Room at the Capitol to acknowledge Water Safety Month and discuss water safety and drowning prevention.
They celebrated the passing of a new water safety law, Cati’s Act, that is now on its way to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. Conference Speakers included Representative Vikki Goodwin, Senator Zaffirini, parent advocates who have lost children to drowning, Alissa Magrum from The Texas Water Safety Coalition, retired epidemiologist, David Zane and Octavio Sanchez from the Texas Alliance of YMCA’s. Additionally, there were representatives from Water Safety and Drowning Prevention groups from across Texas. Following the conference, attendees and the media gathered for an informal Water Safety Month Celebration.
Drowning is the single leading cause of death for children ages one to four-years-old and a leading cause for older children and adults, yet drowning is preventable.
