WASHINGTON, DC – An amendment to shorten the winter, lengthen the summer and save energy, offered by Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Representative Fred Upton (R-MI) passed unanimously in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce today.

Rep. Ed Markey, the author of the 1986 legislation that added three weeks of daily savings time to the calendar, has scored a second victory for sports fans and energy efficiency advocates with his legislation to bring on the Spring. “In addition to the benefits of energy savings, less crime, fewer traffic fatalities, more recreation time and increased economic activity, day light savings just brings a smile to everybody’s faces,” said Representative Edward J. Markey. “We all just feel sunnier after we set the clocks ahead.”

The Upton-Markey Amendment would result in the extension of daylight savings time for one additional month in the spring and one additional month in the fall.

“Extending Daylight Saving Time makes sense, especially with skyrocketing energy costs,” said Rep. Fred Upton. “With oil at $57 a barrel and gas at $2.45 a gallon for regular in Michigan, we must take advantage of every opportunity to conserve energy. The more daylight we have, the less electricity we use. It is that simple.”

The Upton-Markey amendment is supported by studies which show that early daylight savings time and longer days decrease the number of fatal traffic accidents, reduce crime rates, and provide relief for individuals suffering from “night blindness.” The amendment would start daylight savings time the first Sunday in March and end it on the last Sunday of November.