[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1588-E1589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      50TH ANNIVERSARY OF AL-ANON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 5, 2001

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, shortly before the August District Work 
Period, this body passed H. Con. Res. 190, a resolution I offered 
commemorating September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery 
Month. The theme of Recovery Month this year is ``We Recover Together: 
Family, Friends and Community.''

[[Page E1589]]

  Nothing epitomizes this theme better than the work of Al-Anon, which 
serves the family and friends of alcoholics.
  Tomorrow in the Russell Senate Caucus Room, Al-Anon will sponsor a 
``Families in Recovery'' luncheon celebrating Recovery Month. I urge my 
colleagues to attend this important event.
  This is also the occasion of Al-Anon's 50th Anniversary. Congress 
should acknowledge the many contributions of Al-Anon Family Groups to 
recovery in our nation.
  Al-Anon Family Groups has been a source of help and hope for families 
and friends of alcoholics for 50 years in communities throughout the 
United States and worldwide.
  Alateen is a part of Al-Anon for the younger family members. Both Al-
Anon and Alateen freely cooperate with professional and government 
organizations in addressing family recovery. These are over 26,000 Al-
Anon and Alateen groups around the world in 115 countries, and 
literature translated into 30 languages.
  America owes a debt of gratitude to Al-Anon and Alateen.
  Mr. Speaker, Congress should salute the Al-Anon Family Groups for its 
continued service to the family and friends of alcoholics in our 
nation. As a grateful recovering alcoholic of twenty years, I urge my 
colleagues to take this opportunity to affirm the remarkable efforts to 
the Al-Anon Family Groups.

                          ____________________