[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S4542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING CENTURY COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL PROM AND GRADUATION SAFETY MONTH 
                               INITIATIVE

 Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of Alcohol 
Awareness Month to recognize The Century Council for its efforts to 
prevent underage drinking. The Century Council is a national, not for 
profit organization funded by America's leading distillers to develop 
and implement programs designed to combat drunk driving and underage 
drinking. These programs, such as Ready or Not: Talking with Kids About 
Alcohol, Brandon's Story, and Alcohol 101 Plus, are making great 
strides in reducing the amount of underage drinking and irresponsible 
consumption of alcohol.
  Right now, The Council is kicking off its sixth annual National Prom 
and Graduation Safety Months Initiative. Between April and June, The 
Council has planned a series of events across the country to educate 
students, parents and the general public about making responsible 
decisions with regard to beverage alcohol. Over the past two decades, 
progress has been made in the effort to stop underage drinking through 
the implementation of effective programs and increased public awareness 
regarding the negative consequences of underage drinking. According to 
the most recent figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration, 749 people under the age of 21 were killed in alcohol-
related traffic crashes during April, May and June in 2003 as well as 
countless non-fatal injuries. In Louisiana, alcohol is a factor in 20 
percent of all traffic fatalities involving minors, and it is a factor 
in 15 percent of all traffic accidents involving minors.
  It was once said that ``holding young people solely responsible for 
underage drinking is like holding fish responsible for dying in a 
polluted stream.'' As a mother of two young children, I know that I 
will soon have to speak to my own kids about alcohol use. As all of the 
other parents in this Chamber and across the country can say, the 
conversation between a parent and a child about alcohol use is not 
always an easy conversation. However, improved communication between 
parents and children is essential to preventing underage drinking. 
According to a recent survey by TRU Omnibuzz in 2003, 65 percent of 
adolescents identify parents as the leading influence in their decision 
to drink or not to drink. Unfortunately, 36 percent of adolescents say 
they had not spoken to either parent about alcohol. This communication 
gap can be minimized by through programs that increase awareness, 
educate parents and kids and help facilitate conversations between 
parents and kids about the dangers of underage drinking.
  The role of parents in the efforts to reduce underage drinking is 
critical. I commend The Century Council for giving parents and children 
across the Nation the valuable tools to initiate those important 
discussions regarding alcohol.

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