[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 145 (Friday, October 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RED RIBBON DRUG AWARENESS WEEK, OCTOBER 23-30, 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 23, 1997

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, today marks the beginning of Red Ribbon 
Week, an important drug awareness effort in our Nation to ensure that 
we do not lose generation after generation to the scourge of illicit 
drugs.
  To those of us long familiar with the struggle against illicit drugs, 
Red Ribbon Week has a special meaning. It grew out of the gruesome 
murder of a courageous and dedicated DEA agent killed in the line of 
duty in 1985 fighting drugs in Mexico. The first red ribbon was worn in 
his memory back then, and the tradition has continued in an important 
drug awareness effort in our Nation.
  I ask that a letter from our outstanding DEA Administrator Tom 
Constantine to me on the historical background and importance of Red 
Ribbon Week be included in the Record. I am also providing to both 
cloakrooms red ribbon lapel pins that Members can wear in the days 
ahead to help promote this worthy effort to prevent the spread of 
drugs, especially among our youth.

                                      U.S. Department of Justice, 


                              Drug Enforcement Administration,

                                 Washington, DC, October 22, 1997.
     Hon. Benjamin A. Gilman,
     U.S. House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Gilman: October 23, 1997, marks the 
     beginning of Red Ribbon Week. As you know, the red ribbon 
     became a symbol of the fight against drugs after Drug 
     Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique 
     ``Kiki'' Camarena was kidnapped, tortured and murdered in 
     Mexico in 1985. The ribbon was first worn in memory of 
     Special Agent Camarena, and later evolved into a nationwide 
     drug awareness campaign.
       DEA Headquarters was honored to have Andrea Mazzenga, a 
     student at Clarkstown South High School in Nanuet, New York, 
     perform at our Red Ribbon Kick-Off Rally. Andrea sang ``Hands 
     Across the Universe,'' a song composed by another Nanuet 
     resident, Jordan Spivak. The song extolled the virtues of 
     being drug-free.
       The DEA would greatly appreciate it, Congressman Gilman, if 
     you would submit a statement into the Congressional Record 
     about the fact that October 23 to 30, 1997, is National Red 
     Ribbon Week. The DEA urges everyone to wear a red ribbon in 
     support of a drug-free nation. In 1986, 80 million children 
     in all 50 states celebrated Red Ribbon Week and made the 
     choice to be drug-free.
       We have enclosed approximately 450 red ribbon lapel pins 
     for you to distribute on the House floor. The people of the 
     United States look up to their Congressional leaders. We 
     believe that if members of Congress were to wear red ribbons, 
     it would inspire the nation to reflect on the sacrifices that 
     agents such as Kiki Camarena have made and also to 
     concentrate on making the positive choice to be drug-free.
       The DEA appreciates all the support you have given our 
     agency and the drug effort throughout your career. We hope we 
     can count on you to introduce Red Ribbon Week into the 
     Congressional Record. If you need more information about Red 
     Ribbon Week, feel free to call Robert D. Dey, Chief of DEA's 
     Demand Reduction Section, at 202-307-7936.
       Thank you again for all your support throughout the years.
           Sincerely,
                                            Thomas A. Constantine,
                                                    Administrator.

     

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