[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 102 (Thursday, July 11, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S7764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HATFIELD (for himself, Mr. Grassley, and Mr. Harkin):

  S. 1944. A bill to establish a commission to be known as the Harold 
Hughes Commission on Alcoholism; to the Committee on Labor and Human 
Resources.


         The Harold Hughes Commission on Alcoholism Act of 1996

 Mr. HATFIELD. Mr. President, it is my honor today, along with 
my distinguished colleagues, Senators Grassley and Harkin, to introduce 
legislation that will fulfill a lifetime dream. The Honorable Harold 
Hughes, the ``man from Ida Grove,'' has made the struggle against 
alcoholism and its affects on individuals and their families his life 
work. Harold Hughes vision is to combat alcoholism, not only on a 
personal level, but on a community and national level as well. His 
dream will be fulfilled with the creation of a commission on all 
matters related to alcoholism and its affects on America.
  The Talmud defines a good man as, ``one who needs no monuments 
because their deeds are shrines.'' The Honorable Harold Hughes deeds 
are indeed shrines. My distinguished friend has devoted his life to 
helping others. He has served as Governor of Iowa, U.S. Senator, and 
now as a leader in the fight against the abuse of alcohol and drugs. He 
is the founder and chairman of the Hughes Foundation as well as the 
Harold Hughes Centers for Alcoholism and Drug Treatment. He has become 
a front-line soldier in the war against alcohol abuse in the United 
States.
  Alcohol use and abuse in the United States affects all of us. 
Although alcohol is a legal drug, its effects are devastating. 
Alcoholism tears apart marriages, families and communities. As a 
Nation, we cannot allow the devastating effects to continue.
  Alcohol abuse and dependency affects 10 percent of Americans, 18.5 
million, but we all pay the price for this addiction.
  About 56 percent of American families are affected by alcoholism.
  If alcohol were never carelessly used in our society, 105,000 fewer 
people would die each year.
  Alcohol is a factor in one-half of all homicides, suicides, and motor 
vehicle fatalities.
  Treatment, support, direct health care costs, as well as lost work 
time and premature death cost the public $98.6 billion in 1990.
  The Harold Hughes Commission on Alcoholism will provide the 
President, Congress, and the American people with the tools that are 
necessary to address the effects of this disease. Unlike commissions of 
the past, which studied the affects of alcoholism on our society, the 
work of this Commission will be uniquely narrowly tailored. The focus 
will not be on the big picture of alcoholism in the United States, 
rather it will be on the limited, practical, and cost-effective 
solutions to our growing crisis with alcoholism. The Commission will 
examine better ways to coordinate existing Government programs, improve 
education on the affects of alcohol, improve alcoholism research, and 
increase public/private sector cooperation in combating this disease. 
This work will be carried out by small working groups that will include 
academics, business executives and alcoholism experts. These working 
groups will focus on single policy issues in order to produce 
recommendations that will lead to tangible solutions to alcoholism.

  Currently, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 
under the National Institutes of Health is the leading research and 
funding organization for issues dealing with alcohol abuse. NIAAA 
conducts 90 percent of all research in these areas. Current research in 
the area of alcoholism includes: Searching for the genome for genetic 
markers that are linked to alcoholism; developing and approving a new 
drug, Naltexone, for the treatment of alcoholism; educating mothers on 
the risks drinking poses during pregnancy; preventing alcoholism 
through educational programs developed for schools, the workplace, and 
the community. This research and programming will greatly reduce the 
overall cost of alcohol abuse to society.
  The Harold Hughes Commission will be a vehicle for existing programs 
like NIAAA as well as other research programs and Government agencies 
to increase their effectiveness. The coordination of exsisting programs 
will increase the success rate of all the programs.
  This legislation marks the beginning of a renewed congressional 
commitment to fighting alcoholism in America. It also pays tribute to a 
man who made a similar commitment in his own life for himself, his 
community, and others who are fighting the battle against 
alcoholism.
                                 ______