“Features John Betts, father of David Betts, Who Worked With Sherrod To Pass The Bipartisan Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act”

The Friends of Sherrod Brown campaign today released a new ad, “Bluffton” that highlights Sherrod’s work to pass the bipartisan Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act. The ad features John Betts, a resident of Bryan, Ohio, whose son David died in a 2007 bus crash involving members of the Bluffton University baseball team.

For five years, Sherrod worked tirelessly with the Betts family, safety advocates, and Senators on both sides of the aisle to pass the bill, which was included in this year’s highway reauthorization measure and calls for stronger bus safety laws by requiring seat belts, stronger windows and better driver training.

“The pain felt by the Betts family after their son was killed in that bus crash is something no parents should have to go through. I was proud to work with the Betts and my colleagues in the Senate, including Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, to put in place stronger, commonsense safety measures to save lives and pay tribute to David’s memory,” said Senator Brown. “Too often, good ideas fall victim to petty partisanship in Washington, but I was not willing to accept that fate for this bill that will go a long way in making our roadways safer. I am thankful for John and Joy Betts’ support and tenacity as we worked together to fulfill the promise John made to his son.”

“At David’s funeral, I vowed that something good would come of this, and thanks to Sherrod Brown it has,” says Betts in the ad. “Sherrod Brown brought both Republicans and Democrats together to get a bill passed…As a father, what Sherrod Brown did for me was to help me fulfill a promise, and I don’t think I can think of anything greater than that.”