Suicide Deterrents and Transportation Bill
We are surviving family members who have lost a loved one to suicide from the Golden Gate Bridge. The educated guess of death ranges from 1,300 to over 2,000 with another life lost every 10-14 days!
We have been working with local, state and national legislative members to allow suicide barriers and deterrent systems to be eligible for federal funding in the Transportation Re-Authorization Bill.
THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR ANY EARMARKS OR MONEY !
On May 14, 2009, Rep. Lynn Woolsey (CA) and 14 other Members of Congress requested the change in the wording to the Transportation Re-Authorization Bill this year that would allow suicide barriers to be eligible under Title 23 of the United States Code.
This will allow individual state, regional, and local transportation agencies the ability to use federal highway dollars for bridge suicide deterrent systems.
Jumping off a bridge is one of the most preventable methods of suicide. We ask you to take action Now because a delay of five years will cost hundreds of lives.
Every state in this nation has at least one bridge with a suicide problem; some actually have more than 5, including New York, California and Minnesota.
In a 5 year period before the Next Re-Authorization Bill all the bridge suicides across this country per year, even if it were just one death per state per year (50), then adding in the suicides from the Golden Gate Bridge at 30 suicides per year alone, suicides would total at least 400 before this action could be attempted again!
Please sign this petition and then find your congressional representative below. Write them a personal letter explaining why preventing suicides is important to You and that you want his/her support with the addition to the Transportation Bill.
Please, take the steps to allow suicide deterrent systems on bridges to be eligible for funding under Title 23 of the United States Code and allow the states to start preventing suicides.
Members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Highways and Transit in the U.S. House of Representatives and
Members of the Committee Environment and Public Works in the U.S. Senate
House Member/Senator
State
Parker Griffith
Alabama
Don Young
Alaska
Harry E. Mitchell
Arizona
John Boozman
Arkansas
Laura Richardson
California
Gary G. Miller
California
Bob Filner
California
Ellen O. Tauscher
California
Grace F. Napolitano
California
Barbara Boxer - California
California
Betsy Markey
Colorado
Thomas R. Carper
Delaware
Eleanor Holmes Norton
District of Columbia
Corrine Brown
Florida
John L. Mica, Ranking Rep Member
Florida
Mario Diaz-Balart
Florida
Connie Mack
Florida
Vern Buchanan
Florida
Lynn A. Westmoreland
Georgia
Mazie K. Hirono
Hawaii
Mike Crapo
Idaho
Jerry F. Costello
Illinois
Daniel Lipinski
Illinois
Phil Hare
Illinois
Timothy V. Johnson
Illinois
Aaron Schock
Illinois
Phil Hare
Illinois
Leonard L. Boswell
Iowa
Jerry Moran
Kansas
Brett Guthrie
Kentucky
Anh "Joseph" Cao
Louisiana
David Vitter - Louisiana
Louisiana
Michael H. Michaud
Maine
Elijah E. Cummings
Maryland
Donna F. Edwards
Maryland
Benjamin L. Cardin
Maryland
Michael E. Capuano
Massachusetts
Mark H. Schauer
Michigan
Vernon J. Ehlers
Michigan
Candice S. Miller
Michigan
Mark H. Schauer
Michigan
James L. Oberstar, Chairman
Minnesota
Timothy J. Walz
Minnesota
Amy Klobuchar
Minnesota
Gene Taylor
Mississippi
Gene Taylor
Mississippi
Russ Carnahan
Missouri
Sam Graves
Missouri
Christopher S. Bond
Missouri
Max Baucus
Montana
Dina Titus
Nevada
Albio Sires
New Jersey
Frank A. LoBiondo
New Jersey
Frank R. Lautenberg
New Jersey
Harry Teague
New Mexico
Tom Udall
New Mexico
Jerrold Nadler
New York
Timothy H. Bishop
New York
Michael A. Arcuri
New York
John J. Hall
New York
Michael E. McMahon
New York
Kirsten Gillibrand
New York
Heath Shuler
North Carolina
Howard Coble
North Carolina
John A. Boccieri
Ohio
Jean Schmidt
Ohio
Robert E. Latta
Ohio
George V. Voinovich
Ohio
Mary Fallin
Oklahoma
James M. Inhofe
Oklahoma
Peter A. DeFazio
Oregon
Jeff Merkley
Oregon
Charles W. Dent
Pennsylvania
Tim Holden
Pennsylvania
Jason Altmire
Pennsylvania
Christopher P. Carney
Pennsylvania
Todd Russell Platts
Pennsylvania
Bill Shuster
Pennsylvania
Jim Gerlach
Pennsylvania
Arlen Specter
Pennsylvania
Sheldon Whitehouse
Rhode Island
Henry E. Brown
South Carolina
Steve Cohen
Tennessee
John J. Duncan, Jr.
Tennessee
Lamar Alexander
Tennessee
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Texas
Solomon P. Ortiz
Texas
Pete Olson
Texas
Bernard Sanders
Vermont
Thomas S.P. Perriello
Virginia
Rick Larsen
Washington
Brian Baird
Washington
Nick J. Rahall II
West Virginia
Shelley Moore Capito
West Virginia
Steve Kagen
Wisconsin
Thomas E. Petri
Wisconsin
John Barrasso
Wyoming
We are surviving family members who have lost a loved one to suicide from the Golden Gate Bridge. The educated guess of death ranges from 1,300 to over 2,000 with another life lost every 10-14 days!
We have been working with local, state and national legislative members to allow suicide barriers and deterrent systems to be eligible for federal funding in the Transportation Re-Authorization Bill.
THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR ANY EARMARKS OR MONEY !
On May 14, 2009, Rep. Lynn Woolsey (CA) and 14 other Members of Congress requested the change in the wording to the Transportation Re-Authorization Bill this year that would allow suicide barriers to be eligible under Title 23 of the United States Code.
This will allow individual state, regional, and local transportation agencies the ability to use federal highway dollars for bridge suicide deterrent systems.
Jumping off a bridge is one of the most preventable methods of suicide. We ask you to take action Now because a delay of five years will cost hundreds of lives.
Every state in this nation has at least one bridge with a suicide problem; some actually have more than 5, including New York, California and Minnesota.
In a 5 year period before the Next Re-Authorization Bill all the bridge suicides across this country per year, even if it were just one death per state per year (50), then adding in the suicides from the Golden Gate Bridge at 30 suicides per year alone, suicides would total at least 400 before this action could be attempted again!
Please sign this petition and then find your congressional representative below. Write them a personal letter explaining why preventing suicides is important to You and that you want his/her support with the addition to the Transportation Bill.
Please, take the steps to allow suicide deterrent systems on bridges to be eligible for funding under Title 23 of the United States Code and allow the states to start preventing suicides.
Members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Highways and Transit in the U.S. House of Representatives and
Members of the Committee Environment and Public Works in the U.S. Senate
House Member/Senator
State
Parker Griffith
Alabama
Don Young
Alaska
Harry E. Mitchell
Arizona
John Boozman
Arkansas
Laura Richardson
California
Gary G. Miller
California
Bob Filner
California
Ellen O. Tauscher
California
Grace F. Napolitano
California
Barbara Boxer - California
California
Betsy Markey
Colorado
Thomas R. Carper
Delaware
Eleanor Holmes Norton
District of Columbia
Corrine Brown
Florida
John L. Mica, Ranking Rep Member
Florida
Mario Diaz-Balart
Florida
Connie Mack
Florida
Vern Buchanan
Florida
Lynn A. Westmoreland
Georgia
Mazie K. Hirono
Hawaii
Mike Crapo
Idaho
Jerry F. Costello
Illinois
Daniel Lipinski
Illinois
Phil Hare
Illinois
Timothy V. Johnson
Illinois
Aaron Schock
Illinois
Phil Hare
Illinois
Leonard L. Boswell
Iowa
Jerry Moran
Kansas
Brett Guthrie
Kentucky
Anh "Joseph" Cao
Louisiana
David Vitter - Louisiana
Louisiana
Michael H. Michaud
Maine
Elijah E. Cummings
Maryland
Donna F. Edwards
Maryland
Benjamin L. Cardin
Maryland
Michael E. Capuano
Massachusetts
Mark H. Schauer
Michigan
Vernon J. Ehlers
Michigan
Candice S. Miller
Michigan
Mark H. Schauer
Michigan
James L. Oberstar, Chairman
Minnesota
Timothy J. Walz
Minnesota
Amy Klobuchar
Minnesota
Gene Taylor
Mississippi
Gene Taylor
Mississippi
Russ Carnahan
Missouri
Sam Graves
Missouri
Christopher S. Bond
Missouri
Max Baucus
Montana
Dina Titus
Nevada
Albio Sires
New Jersey
Frank A. LoBiondo
New Jersey
Frank R. Lautenberg
New Jersey
Harry Teague
New Mexico
Tom Udall
New Mexico
Jerrold Nadler
New York
Timothy H. Bishop
New York
Michael A. Arcuri
New York
John J. Hall
New York
Michael E. McMahon
New York
Kirsten Gillibrand
New York
Heath Shuler
North Carolina
Howard Coble
North Carolina
John A. Boccieri
Ohio
Jean Schmidt
Ohio
Robert E. Latta
Ohio
George V. Voinovich
Ohio
Mary Fallin
Oklahoma
James M. Inhofe
Oklahoma
Peter A. DeFazio
Oregon
Jeff Merkley
Oregon
Charles W. Dent
Pennsylvania
Tim Holden
Pennsylvania
Jason Altmire
Pennsylvania
Christopher P. Carney
Pennsylvania
Todd Russell Platts
Pennsylvania
Bill Shuster
Pennsylvania
Jim Gerlach
Pennsylvania
Arlen Specter
Pennsylvania
Sheldon Whitehouse
Rhode Island
Henry E. Brown
South Carolina
Steve Cohen
Tennessee
John J. Duncan, Jr.
Tennessee
Lamar Alexander
Tennessee
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Texas
Solomon P. Ortiz
Texas
Pete Olson
Texas
Bernard Sanders
Vermont
Thomas S.P. Perriello
Virginia
Rick Larsen
Washington
Brian Baird
Washington
Nick J. Rahall II
West Virginia
Shelley Moore Capito
West Virginia
Steve Kagen
Wisconsin
Thomas E. Petri
Wisconsin
John Barrasso
Wyoming
Dear Chairpersons, Ranking Members and other members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Highways and Transit Committte and the Committee for Environment and Public Works:
On May 14, 2009, Rep Lynn Woolsey and 14 other Members of Congress requested your consideration of an amendment to the Transportation Re-Authorization Bill this year that would allow suicide barriers and deterrent systems to be eligible under Title 23 of the United States Code.
We, the undersigned, are requesting that you take the necessary action to include this amendment which would allow individual state, regional, and local transportation agencies the ability to use federal highway dollars for bridge suicide deterrent systems.
We ask you to do this because jumping off a bridge is one of the most preventable method of suicide. We ask you to do this because suicide is a national public health issue that is becoming epidemic.
We ask you to take action Now because a delay of five years will cost hundreds of lives. This 5 year period would include all the bridge suicides across this country per year, so even if there were just one death per state per year (50), then adding in the suicides from the Golden Gate Bridge at 30 suicides per year alone, that is at least 400 lives lost before this action could be attempted again!
On this petition you will see signatures from across the country because every state in this nation has at least one bridge with a suicide problem; some actually have more than 5, including New York, California and Minnesota.
You will also see signatures from other countries because many nations struggle with this method of suicide also. These people want you to know, as leaders and representatives in the United States, that their countries are taking action to build and design suicide prevention barriers on their bridges, such as the Prince Edward Viaduct and the New Golden Ears Bridges in Canada, The Gateway Bridge in Australia, and the Grafton Bridge in New Zealand.
Please, take the steps to allow suicide deterrent systems on bridges to be eligible for funding under Title 23 of the United States Code and allow the states to start preventing suicides.
Most Sincerely and Respectfully,
PLEASE, help the ones that are losing hope. We need it the most, help us find the light in all this darkness. I'd be forever greatful. Casey, i'm sorry there wasn't a net to catch you.
Building a barrier may take time, money as well as a lot of energy, but not more than trying to rebuild your life once you've lost someone. Atleast you know you can build a barrier, but some people, they never recover.
I'm Doing this for Ms. Casey Brooks. I didn't know her at all, but I read about her in a magazine and the story never left me. R.I.P and I hope they build a barrier soon enough to spare a life, Peace- L.
My husband and I recently walked across the bridge. I thought of my brother who killed himself years ago. In one impulsive moment his life was gone. Barriers on the bridge could help others intervene or give the desperate one a chance to reconsider. A few minutes could save a life.
Please do this. It could prevent so many unnecessary deaths - it's that simple.
I tried to jump off of the bridge about a year and am forever grateful to the passers by who kept me from doing it. Were they indifferent or simply not there, the lives of my friends and family would have been forever changed. I am grateful for their help. That said, a suicide barrier would not only deter people from thinking about jumping, but would also help them in the case kind strangers aren't around to lend a hand.
I believe that suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge is an impulsive act and if there were barriers maybe this would prevent people from acting on their impulse to end their lives in this way. Families who have lost their loved ones through suicide NEVER really recover from this type of loss. Please install bridge barriers. Help prevent more tragedy and pain. In memory of Adam Kaplan.
I work for a family who lost their son to suicide. He ended his life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge just a few days after Christmas. For the last year and a half, I have witnessed the pain brought to this family by this loss. It is sad and tragic. This young man had a wonderful supportive family who were very much trying to help him with his bi-polar disorder. If there were bridge barriers pershaps this young man would have not been able to act on his impulse and he would still be with his family today.
I lost a friend to suicide at the Golden Gate Bridge. I hope that we can eliminate this tragedy. If we can save just one life, it will have been worth it.
I can't begin to imagine the pain of losing a loved one, in particular a child, to suicide. But unlike other means, those who jump off bridges, especially young ones, can be discouraged by a simple deterrent, and then get the help they need. I remember how hard adolescence can be, and the uncontrollable emotions that sometimes seemed overpowering. For some, the pull of a bridge's edge is powerful enough to sway even a temporarily confused child. Before learning more about this topic, I felt a barrier was a waste of money and that if a person wanted to end their life they would find a way to do it, regardless of a barrier or not. I have learned so much to the contrary now, and as the mother of two young children, find myself wondering how a community of parents can vote against investing in the barriers, and in the healthy future of all children.
My family is friends with one of the individuals that attempted suicide from the Golden Gate Bridge. I have also seen the documentary showing the number of suicides each year from that bridge alone. It's really got to stop! These are people's children, fathers, mothers, etc. whose lives could be saved by building a suicide barrier.
I have a friend who jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge leaving 3 young children behind. I can NEVER look that bridge the same way again. Please consider this Bill seriously. Thank you.
I may not be American but as someone who has seen the documentary The Bridge I feel that this would prevent deaths and ease pain for many people.
This barrier should have been built after the first suicide.
We lost our only child, our 17yr.old daughter who was affected by a perfect storm and was not thinking sanely, when she chose to jump from the bridge on Jan 29, 2008. It was 6:30am and only the bridge cameras saw her after-the-fact. It is clear that this bridge is a magnet for suicides. Small children have been thrown off the bridge by a parent in the throes of some awful demon. Make the bridge safe, and change the height requirement on the railing for all new construction of bridges. Take away the loaded gun.
My younger brother's best friend jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge as a senior in high school. I really liked this bright, charming young man and his family. The teen years are a volatile time for the majority of kids, full of stresses and angst. Anything we can do to make suicide less convenient also increases the depressed person's chances of finding help.
Last year, a girl in my grade jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge. I can't even begin to explain the devastating effects it had on the school community.
I am a social service technician currently working with men, mostly in their fifties, who are addicts, mentally ill and/or at risk for homelessness. Suicide is an issue that I am faced with everyday, working with these men. Some are aware of their thoughts and how they can lead to suicide and others believe that they are possessed by the devil (because of the voices they hear) and think that suicide is the only way to silence the madness (here in Montreal there are 1 out of 6 individuals who are affected by mental illness). I have seen the American movie "The Bridge" which discusses suicide and the Golden Gate bridge and this movie had a great impact on myself since in Montreal the Jacques Cartier bridge is the bridge of choice for those who do not see a point to life anymore. I believe that putting up suicide barriers on bridges, around the world, would be a start. This will not stop the phenomenon of suicide or decrease it, but it is a step forward to show the population that their lives are important. More money needs to be put towards ressources that help the homeless, those suffering from mental illness and addicts (gambling/drugs/alcohol). There needs to be more advertisement for these ressources as well, so that the population knows where they can go for help and what kind of help they can get. Overall, putting up barriers is not the answer to suicide, it is a start on the right path.
I add my signature to honor those who have lost loved ones, and I believe that the installation of a suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge will save many lives. The splendor of this magnificent landmark could never be diminished by the addition of a safety measure to prevent terrible tragedy.
Suicide and other serious mental health issues are not jokes and should be taken seriously. The scariest part is that it can happen to ANYONE, to think otherwise is nieve - we all need to be aware for ourselves and others, so that people feel comfortable asking for help. These barriers will help with awareness and not giving people easy options to end their lives. No one wants an innocent life to be lost.
Mental health and suicide are serious issues - awareness and options for committing suicide being taken away need to happen. Especially in these tough economic times when more people might easily get very depressed quickly we all need to help each other. These times may be tough - but the last thing that anyone wants is for innocent lives with lots of potential and good for the world to be lost. I have been on the brink of taking my own life at the both beautiful and ugly Golden Gate Bridge (as close as one can get) - so I know what it feels like; it's too easy and when I think back it's scary how close I was and how little it would've taken for me to be gone. Forever.
Please fund a suicide barrier for the Golden Gate Bridge.
I lost a dear friend who took her life on the Golden Gate Bridge during a very troubled time in her life. Not only did the police pick her up once before the incident, but they failed to keep her for the 72 hours of evaluation required. While I don't believe that putting up a barrier will stop people from trying to commit suicide, I do believe that those other means of suicide are usually treatable. Many people recover from suicide attempts. The Golden Gate Bridge doesn't leave room for coming back.
72 years and 2000 lives later, it's time to build the barrier.
My young cousin who was struggling with mental illness ended his life by jumping off of the Golden Gate Bridge. Maybe he would be alive if their were barriers and he could have coped with his illness with the support of his friends and family. Please support this barrier.
My father died of suicide and anything like a barrier which makes it harder to commit the act is supported by me. These people dont have to die, they can be helped
I lost my dear friend Casey Brooks when she commited suicide off the Golden Gate Bridge January 29th of 2008.
Josh Appleman
As a person who is suffering from depression, I can tell you that suicidal impulses come and go. Please but up a barrier and protect the lives of people who impulsively end their lives.
Last year when I was a senior in high school, a classmate who I had known since childhood jumped off the bridge. Suicide shouldn't be such an easy option...in fact, it shouldn't be an option.
Rest in peace, Casey Brooks.
my best friend killed herself.
A girl at my school jumped off the golden gate bridge. It was the saddest thing I've ever experienced
I have a very dear friend who lost her son to suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge. Is it possible that our society has so lost its compassion to the point that they place aesthetics above human life? Is the appearance of a bridge more important than the poor soul who would throw himself from a bridge with no barriers? What would you want done if it were your son or daughter?
My daughter, Michelle, killed herself during an episode of post partum depression. She was on medication, but was one of those young people adversely affected by antidepressants. Since her death 15 years ago, I have tried to add my bit to every petition to help prevent suicide. It's a devastating blow to family and friends when this happens. Her two sons are still dealing with the emotions brought on by this tragedy. Any help given to prevent suicide and to educate the public about suicide will be appreciated.
At 21, I personally know 3 people who have died by jumping off of the Golden Gate Bridge. It is time for a barrier.
At 21, I personally know 3 people who have died by jumping off of the Golden Gate Bridge. It is time for a barrier.
