[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING YOUTH SUMMIT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 1997

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, all too often the headlines we read about 
young people today are punctuated with tragedy and violence. Today, 
however, I have a positive story to tell about young people from every 
congressional district who are here today to make a difference.
  Today, 435 kids from across the Nation will be visiting each and 
every one of us to talk about what they are doing to stop underage 
drinking and driving. In California, where I am from, drinking related 
accidents accounted for more than 40 percent of traffic fatalities 
during 1995.
  You might be surprised to learn that eight young people a day die in 
alcohol-related crashes. Many of us read and hear about the kids 
addicted to crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, but the No. 1 drug 
among young people is alcohol and it kills.
  However, the young people visiting our offices today are working to 
change that. Over the weekend they met to discuss solutions to this 
problem and will discuss their finding with each of us. I listened 
carefully to both Marlena Plummer from El Camino High School and Anne 
Carriker from Carlsbad High School. I urge you to place close attention 
to the high school students visiting your offices.
  I applaud these young people for their dedication and commitment. I 
look forward to the day when the headlines about young people are 
punctuated with their accomplishments rather than their tragedies.

                          ____________________