Autumn Alexander Skeen, whose tireless and impassioned efforts led to the nation's first state booster seat requirement, and ultimately to the enactment of "Anton's Law" at the federal level, testified last week before the Washington State House Transportation Committee on legislation to further strengthen Washington's child restraint law. Autumn has graciously shared the text of her testimony and a link to the audio version of the full hearing, both of which follow.

Autumn's heartfelt and eloquent words speak for themselves and require no further introduction.

Autumn's Testimony:
"Chairman Murray, Vice Chair Wallace, Representatives Woods and Skinner, and honorable representatives of the state where my only son was born and died, I speak to you today about the morality of protecting our young citizens. And I speak to you, also, about the consequences of not living up to the public trust.

Eight years ago, when I buckled four-year-old Anton into an adult seat belt, I remembered noticing uneasily that it didn't fit him well. But, we hustled off not wanting to miss the ferry. I told myself that if the law said it was OK, someone must've tested it out.

Well, as many of you know, Anton was killed that day in an SUV rollover, thrown out to his death, his seatbelt failing to hold him in. He paid with his life for my trust in the law that day.

In 2000, I came to this hearing room with a broken heart and the scientists' specifications for booster use, the same ones you have before you today. It was so hopeful and unusual to have a ready-made immunization for the road. All we had to do was require it like any public health law.

But eventually when told that the House would only upgrade to age 6-or nothing at all, I swore I would take Anton's name off the amendment. Anton had no chance because of an inadequate law. How could I let a law go through with his name on it that was, again, inadequate?

Ultimately, the co-chairs of Transportation, now retired Representative Fischer and the late Rep. Maryann Mitchell, persuaded me to take what we could get and to not hurt supporters by taking Anton's name off this pioneering bill. At the time, I didn't think I could personally muster another round to make it right, but here I am.

That was the year 2000. It is now 2005. I don't know how many age 5-9 Washington children have been maimed or killed for want of a decent-fitting seat belt between then and now. However, within 50 miles of Walla Walla-I do know of at least three, two girls and a boy.

So, I ask you once again: Lift a new and better law high against the number one killer of children. You cannot be indifferent to these young passengers on Washington's roads. And you cannot be indifferent to the parents who won't know better without the golden standard of law.

Please, let me be the last parent to confront you with this duty to match the law to the science. There must not be any more sacrificial lambs to this issue.
Thank you."

Click here to hear an Audio Version of the February 7th Hearing