[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 125 (Monday, September 24, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H5963-H5964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SUPPORTING THE GOALS OF RED RIBBON WEEK IN PROMOTING DRUG-FREE 
                              COMMUNITIES

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for immediate 
consideration in the House of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 
84) supporting the goals of Red Ribbon Week in promoting drug-free 
communities.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Foley). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Florida?
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I 
would like a brief explanation from the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Bilirakis).
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. I yield to the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, this resolution calls for increased 
awareness of drug abuse and promotes drug-free communities.
  Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 following the death of Enrique ``Kiki'' 
Camarena, a drug enforcement agent who was close to uncovering 
identities of key members of a Mexican drug cartel. Saddened by his 
death and concerned by the destruction caused by drugs in America, his 
friends and family in his hometown of Calexico, California began 
wearing red ribbons in his honor to raise the consciousness of 
communities throughout the Imperial Valley.
  Today the red ribbon has become the national symbol for drug 
prevention across America. Red Ribbon Week activities make a positive 
impact in communities nationwide. The program focuses on identifying 
resources for parents and collaborating with community stakeholders to 
provide primary prevention and education to strengthen healthy 
families.
  I support the goals of this resolution, Mr. Speaker; and I believe it 
is a critical tool through which local communities learn, educate, and 
act to ensure a healthier future for our children. I ask my colleagues 
to support the fight against drugs and to help us pass H. Con. Res. 84, 
supporting the goals of Red Ribbon Week and promoting drug-free 
communities.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Further reserving the right to object, Mr. 
Speaker, I yield to my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Baca).
  (Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today in support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 84. This bill expresses a sense of Congress 
supporting the goals of Red Ribbon Week and preventing drug use. We 
must focus on awareness and prevention.
  The battle against drugs is being fought in our homes, in our living 
rooms with real human beings and with our children, our brothers, our 
sisters, our parents, our neighbors, our friends, our relatives and our 
communities.
  In California, I have worked hard to recognize Red Ribbon Week, as 
you can see by the red ribbon that I am wearing now. And as it was 
stated earlier before, it originally started in 1985 in Imperial 
Valley; and we have celebrated in San Bernardino, throughout the last 7 
or 8 years, Red Ribbon Week. We have a parade.
  I think it is important for our communities to know that drugs kill 
our children. We must be aware. We must do everything possible to 
prevent the use of drugs, saving a life and getting a child to go in a 
positive direction is good for our children. Let them know that we will 
say no to drugs. Drugs are bad, bad for our children, bad for our 
community, bad for our society, whatever we can do to promote that 
awareness and involvement in our neighborhoods.
  We have got our communities involved. We have schools that are 
involved. We have businesses that are involved. We have neighborhoods 
that are involved. We have youth and families that participate because 
we know what it means and what a disaster it is to a family who is 
involved in drugs.
  It is also a savings in taxpayer dollars to us as well. When we look 
at a child or someone who is into drugs, it costs us for that 
particular child to rehabilitate them. It is a lot better to do the 
prevention and awareness to save the child and save a life.
  I believe we have to do everything possible to make sure our 
communities are drug free. We participate with law enforcement in our 
communities. We participate with the fire department. We participate 
with our neighbors. We want healthy and productive and drug-free life 
society. By all of us being involved and coming together, we are 
touching the lives and saving the lives of many individuals in our 
community.

[[Page H5964]]

  Today we are committed in this movement and we will continue to do 
this. This week is Red Ribbon Week; and hopefully, everybody will 
display the red ribbon that I have here along, of course, the flag that 
we carry in our lapel for many Americans right now. As we look at what 
has happened right now, as many of the individuals who died there, we 
want to demonstrate to those individuals who have sacrificed their 
lives to save a life, it is that life for many other individuals and 
possibly those children that lost their lives there and many of the 
children we have to save as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask everybody to recognize we must save the lives of 
our children.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I support passage of the concurrent 
resolution, and I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 84

       Whereas the National Family Partnership, Governors, 
     Attorneys General, Parent Teacher Associations, and over 100 
     other organizations throughout the United States annually 
     cosponsor October 23 through October 31 as Red Ribbon Week;
       Whereas the objective of Red Ribbon Week is to promote 
     drug-free communities through drug prevention efforts, 
     education, parental involvement, and community-wide support;
       Whereas drug abuse is one of the major challenges our 
     Nation faces in securing a safe and healthy future for our 
     children; and
       Whereas parents, youth, schools, businesses, law 
     enforcement and religious institutions, service 
     organizations, senior citizens, medical and military 
     personnel, sports teams, and individuals throughout the 
     Nation demonstrate their commitment to drug-free, healthy 
     lifestyles by wearing and displaying red ribbons during this 
     weeklong celebration: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) supports the goals of Red Ribbon Week; and
       (2) encourages all Americans to promote drug-free 
     communities and to participate in drug prevention activities 
     to show support for healthy, productive, drug-free 
     lifestyles.

  The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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