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Immediate Press Release: Mid Week Issue Release American Culture: DLST - Day Light Savings Time
Lorge for US Senate Lorge2000@aol.com Saturday, June 10, 2000
Below is a reprint of a Press Release that Rep. Bill Lorge sent out in 1998 and was very positively received and started another National debate on this issue. Rep. Lorge has madet DLST an issue for over a decade now and will continue to do so in the future.
Daylight Savings Time
Press Release for Immediate Release 4/4/98 Ph 608-698-0300
THIS SHOULD BE THE LAST TIME WE
'SPRING AHEAD' or FALL BACK'
An argument for permanent "Day Light Saving Time" (DLST)
by
Wisconsin State Representative
William D. Lorge
(R-Bear Creek)
If I told you of a plan which will improve upon five current high priority issues (economy, health care, crime, highway safety and energy) you would say it should be immediately passed in every legislative body in the country including the U.S. Congress. Wisconsin may be one of the first states to move "Forward" with this better system as I have introduced Assembly Joint Resolutions in the State Legislature which relates to memorializing Congress to make daylight savings time permanent. Here's why: According to numerous articles and experts, permanent "Daylight Savings Time" will boost the national economy over $4 billion a month and would reduce energy consumption by 100,000 barrels of oil a day, it would reduce crime by 13%, make our highways safer resulting in less traffic fatalities and would also improve the health of all Americans.
On Sunday, April 5, 1998 at 2:00 A.M. the USA will again turn their clocks ahead one hour to 3:00 A.M., however, based on the facts, we should not be turning our clocks back this Fall, we should remain in "Daylight Savings Time" permanently. I'm not advocating civil disobedience this year, because in Wisconsin there are stiff fines for not obeying this law, as you'd be guilty of a nuisance punishable by a fine of $25.00 to $500.00 and/or imprisoned for 10 to 30 days. But, 1998 should be the last time we turn the clocks ahead. "Daylight Savings Time" seems to accord better with the natural rhythms of human life and allows people to have more time to enjoy the outdoors in the evening, thus improving the health of Americans. The savings are monumental. "Daylight Savings Time" also increases productivity, increases recreational activities, increases consumer spending, reduces auto accidents, reduces crime and reduces energy consumption. Benjamin Franklin first proposed "Daylight Savings Time" in 1784 to save millions of candles each year by observing "Daylight Savings Time" year-round. In 1921 the City of Milwaukee approved a city-wide referendum to establish summer "Daylight Savings Time". During times of our great World Wars (March 31, 1918 and February 1942 - September 1945) and the mid 1970's oil crisis (January 1974 - October 1975) our nation has turned to year-round "Daylight Savings Time" as an economic boost, to conserve energy and to improve the quality of life. If we do this during times of crisis, why not permanently? Why not enjoy all the benefits of "Daylight Savings Time" year round?
The arguments against "Daylight Savings Time", such as the argument that it is the "Devil's Time" or that it is dangerous in the morning, are medieval and not supported by facts - merely rhetoric; and as a matter-of-fact, a 1974 study found that the most dangerous time for children to be out and about was early evening between 3 and 5 p.m. So, "Daylight Savings Time" will save lives. Another argument is that "Daylight Savings Time" has the sun closest to high noon in the sky year-round than does standard time. An added hour of daylight at the end of the day saves our nation over 100,000 barrels of oil per day. What a savings! The Department of Transportation has found a significant decrease in traffic accidents and fatalities during extended periods of evening daylight. So, permanent daylight saves time and will save more lives. Sales of charcoal grilling items increases during "Daylight Savings Time". Old studies show businesses in the U.S. will increase sales over $4 billion per month if converted to permanent daylight savings time; a newer study I'm sure would exceed $4 billion, possibly $10 billion or more per month in the new 1990's economic era. It was found in Washington D.C. that violent crime was reduced up to thirteen percent during the extended period of "Daylight Savings Time", and similar experiences were found in other cities which were studied. Mexico, France, Spain and other European countries remain on advanced time all year long, so this is only a United States problem to solve. And another thing, with more and more clocks on everything from your VCR to your car radio, changing clocks twice a year is considered a burden by most citizens, especially farmers. Farmers have to adjust their milking schedules five minutes each day to get back in line with the clock twice a year to conform to the changes, even though farm animals have no concept of time, so the cows biological clocks must be gradually tricked twice a year. For convenience sake alone we need permanent daylight savings time.
Another argument for permanent "Daylight Savings Time" comes from just looking at the history of "Daylight Savings Time". "Daylight Savings Time" was originally five months long in 1957, and was extended in 1965 to six months long, and since 1987 is now seven months long with current federal proposals pending to make it nine months long. If we're serious about nine months of daylight savings time, obviously we should just leave it permanent (12 months). Instituting "Daylight Saving Time" throughout the year will extend to all Americans the many benefits that don't accrue to this country because currently "Day Light Savings Time" is only enjoyed for half of the year.
# # #
Daylight Saving Time
"I'm sick and tired of changing all my clocks twice a year. We should pick the time that gives us the longest sunlight in the evening hours, the one that saves energy and is safer, Daylight savings time. I voted for Bill Lorge because of this issue. It is time Congress does the smart thing and make DLST permanent."
Shelly Stern
Waupaca County
Vote
September 12th 2000
Bill Lorge.......(X)
US Senate
Wisconsin
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Bill Lorge was Singing the Right Tune, Appleton Post Crescent Editorial Oct 21, 2002
Posted Oct. 21, 2002 Thumbs Up: Lorge was singing right tune, and it wasn’t ‘Jailhouse Rock’
If only they’d taken former state Rep. Bill “Elvis” Lorge seriously, legislative leaders Chuck Chvala, Scott Jensen, Steve Foti and Brian Burke might not be in the mess they’re in. The four are charged with felonies as the result of a probe that began with a tip that legislators used the four party caucus offices — now abolished — as illegal campaign machines, a system Lorge tried to eradicate when he was in the Legislature. When Jensen was Assembly Majority Leader, Lorge, formerly of Bear Creek, was stripped of a committee chairmanship the sometime-Elvis impersonator cherished. For more info go to the article or to this web page.
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What's next? 2004
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