[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 71 (Thursday, June 9, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 IN TRIBUTE TO THE SHOTMEYER BROTHERS PETROLEUM CORP. AND THE PASSAIC 
                        COUNTY, NJ, DARE PROGRAM

                                 ______


                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 1994

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, substance abuse, and the crime it breeds, 
remain a real and terribly dangerous threat to our communities, our 
neighborhoods and our families. In order to win the war on abuse we 
need aggressive interdiction, vigorous enforcement, and more 
importantly, effective treatment and tireless education. No one is more 
aware of this fact and no one has worked harder to fight the scourge of 
drug abuse than the Passaic County Drug Abuse Resistance and Education 
Program and the many people, including the Shotmeyer family, who 
support them.
  The Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program, known more commonly as 
DARE, is the largest and most effective drug-use prevention education 
program in the United States, and is now taught to 25 million youths in 
school from kindergarten to 12th grade. The DARE curriculum was 
originally developed by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los 
Angeles Unified School District. Today, it is taught by veteran police 
officers throughout the world. After completing 80 hours of specialized 
training, each officer enters the classroom where they provide children 
with the skills and self-esteem needed to resist the peer pressure and 
temptation to use drugs.
  The DARE Program is clearly a success. Independent research found 
that DARE substantially impacts students' attitudes toward substance 
use. It has also worked to help students improve study habits, achieve 
higher grades, decrease vandalism and gang activity, and gain a greater 
respect for police officers. I can testify that among the police 
departments and educators in my district, DARE is unanimously singled 
out for the highest praise.
  In Passaic County, NJ, local businesses have stepped up to the plate 
and have made an extra effort to ensure the success of the DARE 
Program. One such business is the Shotmeyer Brothers Petroleum Corp.
  Under the leadership of Henry Shotmeyer, Sr. and his sons Charlie and 
Henry, Jr. the Shotmeyer Brothers Petroleum Corp. has joined in a 
partnership with DARE by encouraging local participation in the 
program. The Shotmeyers have used their local gas stations in 
Hawthorne, Pompton Lakes, North Haledon, Prospect Park, West Milford, 
and elsewhere to help the DARE Program. During special promotional 
events, the Shotmeyers have donated 2-cents to DARE for every gallon of 
gasoline sold. The Shotmeyers have even convinced local mayors, policy 
chiefs and patrolmen to donate an hour or two to pump gas in order to 
promote the effort.
  The Shotmeyers clearly epitomize the virtues that have made our 
country great.
  On Sunday, June 12, the Passaic County DARE family will celebrate the 
program's ongoing success in their communities by hosting a parade and 
rally. It will be the fourth scheduled Passaic County DARE parade. DARE 
students, policy officers, teachers, public officials, and members of 
local civic and fraternal organizations from 16 municipalities will 
march together to send the message loud and clear that we will not 
tolerate substance abuse in our communities and schools.
  Today, I ask my colleagues in the House to join with me by showing 
our appreciation for the dedication of the Shotmeyer family and the 
thousands of other DARE volunteers in Passaic County that have made a 
life and death difference for countless young people in their 
communities. They have made us all proud.

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