Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety said today that Allstate insurance is providing funds for a fellowship program within Advocates' Washington, DC offices.

The group said the training program aims to develop public policy fellows who will work to advance the two organizations' abiding interest in highway and auto safety.

Judith Lee Stone, president of Advocates, said the $100,000 Allstate is contributing should cover salary and benefits for one fellowship position. She said Advocates is looking for applicants, who might be someone with some form of advocacy experience or a recent law school graduate.

“Advocates has set the gold standard for highway safety advocacy,” said Allstate Senior Vice President and General Counsel Michele Coleman Mayes in a statement.

Ms. Mayes added, “Given the devastating effects of motor vehicle crashes, we believe that additional talent will help push for stronger auto safety standards. We can't think of a better place to learn these skills than at Advocates.”

Advocates said it began a process in November 2008 to recruit the first fellow from among the ranks of recent graduates from law and public policy institutions and workplaces.

Fellows, who will be employees of Advocates, will serve 18-month terms beginning February 2009, with a second fellowship to begin in mid-2010.

The goals of the fellowship are to train new entrants to the field of highway and auto safety in public policy advocacy skills and to further support the staff of Advocates.

Ms. Stone thanked Allstate and said her organization “looks forward to the opportunity of mentoring Allstate fellows over the next three years. Having the chance to teach others how to advance effective safety legislation and regulations, and to have additional staff support at the same time, is an ideal approach”

Allstate fellows will be responsible for researching, developing and analyzing public policy strategies geared to strengthen auto safety laws. Fellows will also interact with congressional leaders and staff by providing support to the group's advocacy efforts.

“Safety on America's roads has always been one of Allstate's top concerns,” said Allstate Senior Vice President for Corporate Relations Joan Walker. “Our goal in sponsoring the fellowship is to provide another tool in the advocacy arsenal on this issue. We're looking to develop bright, determined young professionals who will not only serve as an immediate resource for Advocates but who will become a lasting voice for highway safety.”

“As a consumer advocate for over 40 years, I know what a difference committed and passionate individuals can make in advancing public health and safety for our citizens,” said Joan Claybrook, president of Public Citizen and founding board member of Advocates. “I commend Allstate for making such a significant contribution to identifying, training and encouraging the next generation of public policy advocates to develop careers in the field of highway and auto safety. The professional staff of Advocates is known for their skills and personal dedication to advancing this cause and they are respected throughout the insurance and consumer communities. Allstate's novel proposal and commitment to this fellowship will save lives.”

More information on the Allstate Fellowship can be obtained by contacting Advocates' Washington offices at (202) 408-1711 or by logging on to www.saferoads.org.

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety was established in 1989 as a 501(c)4 coalition of property-casualty insurers and consumer, health and safety organizations dedicated to enactment of major highway and vehicle safety laws and regulations, in Congress and state legislatures. Allstate was a founding member of Advocates, and for nearly 20 years has supported Advocates' mission and work to advance safety measures that reduce deaths and injuries as well as costs associated with motor vehicle crashes.

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Allstate Funding A Highway Advocate Fellowship

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