[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 157 (Sunday, November 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SALUTE TO KAUFMAN COUNTY RED RIBBON CONTEST WINNERS

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                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, November 8, 1997

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of presenting 
awards on October 18 to the essay contest winners of the Kaufman County 
Red Ribbon Drug Abuse Awareness campaign. These students are Amber 
Whatley of Mabank High School, Krystal Nye of Terrell Intermediate 
School, and Kristin Hanie of Forney Middle School. All three wrote 
about the issue of teenage drinking, and they made some valid points.
  Amber Whatley reflected on the death of Princess Diana of Wales and 
the reports that the driver of her car was intoxicated. She noted that 
every 27 minutes someone is killed in a drunk-driving related accident, 
a tragedy that leaves loved ones ``marred with grief and angered that 
society continues to produce propaganda promoting the appeal of 
alcohol.''
  Krystal Nye discussed the adverse effects of alcohol and the 
pressures that sometime cause teenagers to begin drinking. She noted 
that parents should be role models for their children and that the 
media ``should not make drinking look like it is something that is 
healthy for you.''
  Kristin Hanie also wrote about the effects of alcohol and some of the 
reasons why teens might be tempted to try it. She mentioned several 
programs that help teens with alcohol problems, such as Ala-Teen and 
Al-Anon, and concluded, ``I pray everyday that people will learn 
alcohol is not the solution, and that someday this problem will be 
stopped.''
  I enjoyed visiting with these students at the awards ceremony, and I 
commend their efforts to enhance teenage awareness of alcohol abuse. 
This Red Ribbon Campaign is an annual effort sponsored by the Texas 
Agricultural Extension Service in cooperation with the Texas A&M 
University System. Red Ribbon Week is recognized by the National Red 
Ribbon Campaign, which was celebrated October 18-25. I am always 
honored when Rita Winton invites me to participate in this important 
occasion.
  Mr. Speaker, as we adjourn today, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
saluting these outstanding students of Kaufman County and all those 
young people throughout our Nation who recognize the dangers of teenage 
drinking and who are doing their best to help their fellow classmates 
and friends combat this problem. As Miss Whatley concluded, ``If action 
is taken by teenagers, America can look forward to society's success in 
developing alcohol-free individuals and a more productive future.''

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