WATCH: Dingell Honors Abbas Family On House Floor

DEARBORN, MI — Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) announced she would be introducing legislation to crack down on drunk driving in a speech on the floor of the US House of Representatives in memory of the Abbas family.

The Michigan family – Issam, Rima, Ali, Isabelle, and Giselle Abbas – were killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver while returning from a family vacation in Florida. Read the full story here.

“In every sense of the word, they were our community,” Dingell said on the House Floor. “The parents were born and raised in Dearborn. Rima served many as a respected doctor at Beaumont, and had just been promoted to head all the doctors at the hospital. And Issam had a successful career as a lawyer and real estate agent. Children, Ali aged 13, Isabelle aged 12, and Giselle aged 7 were gifts from god and the center of their parents lives but so many others in Dearborn. Their family, their very extended family, was devoted to everything that they did. Their absence stunned this community and is felt deeply and emotionally.”

Dingell pledged to introduce legislation this week to reduce alcohol-impaired driving.

“I have to go home to a community is still grieving. I can’t look them in the eye unless we are really willing to try to do something,” Dingell continued. “This week, I’m introducing legislation in memory of the Abbas family that would mandate all new vehicles be equipped with interlock breathalyzer devices. This will stop intoxicated drivers from ever starting a vehicle and keep them off the roads. If we can keep one person from dying on the roads and make people think twice before getting behind the wheel when they shouldn’t – even when they are buzzed and think they’ll be ok – then won’t we have been successful?”

Dingell vowed to help make sure the Abbas family is not forgotten.

“Our community will deeply miss them but we need to make sure that their death is not in vain, we are dedicate to their memories and others we know to try to prevent another life being lost this way senselessly,” she said.

Screenshot via Youtube video