A MESSAGE FROM Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D.                                                             NHTSA Administrator  Today we are celebrating two important occasions: the 20th Anniversary of the Lifesavers Conference and the accomplishments of fourteen individuals who are recipients of NHTSA’s Public Service Awards for 2002.  We all know that crashes have a huge impact on life and health in every community. Crashes cost American society over $230 billion every year.  Traffic injury is one of our nation’s most pressing public health problems.  All  of the irresponsible acts that cause crashes, deaths, and injuries must be fought as fiercely as any other epidemic that kills tens of thousands and cripples hundreds of thousands more.  The individuals we are honoring today are model activists and supporters of highway safety.  Their contributions have paid off. Since that first Lifesaver’s Conference in 1982, our country’s motor vehicle death rate, adjusted for miles traveled, has been nearly cut in half.  Today’s honorees, and their thousands of partners, richly deserve the recognition and gratitude that we bestow on them here.  Even as we honor and thank them, let us exhort them and all of us to stay the course.  We need leadership, dedication, initiative, and creativity that these award recipients have brought to the table to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.  Our job, and theirs is far from over.    Sincerely yours, Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D 2002 Public Service Award Recipient