[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   VALLEJO FIGHTING BACK PARTNERSHIP CELEBRATES FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY

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                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 27, 2005

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to invite 
my colleagues to join me in congratulating Fighting Back Partnership of 
Vallejo, CA, as it celebrates its 15th anniversary.
  The relationship between a city and its residents is a vital and 
interdependent one, deriving its strength from the quantity and quality 
of civic involvement and public spirit generated by such organizations 
as Vallejo Fighting Back Partnership.
  Concerned citizens and members of the Vallejo City Council expressed 
alarm at the increasing use of drugs and alcohol during the late 1980's 
and formed a Red Ribbon Committee to address this problem and to 
explore programs and services that could potentially result in a 
meaningful reduction of substance abuse and related crimes and 
violence. The city of Vallejo successfully applied for a grant from the 
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to unite the community to 
comprehensively address substance abuse as one of 15 Fighting Back 
Partnerships nationwide.
  Vallejo Fighting Back Partnership, an independent non-profit 
coalition, developed a continuum of care approach including education, 
prevention, treatment, and after-care services. The Partnership, in an 
effort to adhere to its mission, has organized more than 50 partners 
and thousands of residents including support from city, county, State 
and Federal agencies, private non-profits, corporate and foundation 
donors, who emanate from an array of diverse backgrounds including law 
enforcement, health care, social services, government, public 
education, treatment facilities, neighborhood organizations, business, 
criminal justice, and faith-based groups.
  The Partnership began to make noticeable and measurable reductions in 
substance abuse related crimes, primarily on the strength of renewed 
funding from the Johnson Foundation in 1995 and a more focused 
strategic plan that endeavored to create positive outcomes in three key 
areas:
  Neighborhoods, Treatment, and Youth and Families. Local data obtained 
between 1995 and 2000 validated the successful outcomes of Fighting 
Back's mission of reducing substance abuse and related mayhem in the 
community, enabling the Partnership to be chosen as 2001 Outstanding 
Coalition by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, CADCA, 
which was presented to Fighting Back Partnership of Vallejo on December 
14, 2001, in Washington, DC.
  After 12 years of funding from the Johnson Foundation ended in 2002, 
totaling over $6 million, Fighting Back Partnership continues to be a 
dynamic coalition working to reduce substance abuse through innovative 
and successful programs thanks to its dedicated staff and board of 
directors. Today, Fighting Back provides counseling and services to 
families through its three Family Resource Centers, employs science-
based educational programs in cooperation with the Vallejo School 
District, develops leadership skills in young people through its Youth 
Partnership, and unites residents to improve deteriorating 
neighborhoods through its Neighborhood Revitalization Program.
  I know I speak for all Members of Congress when I congratulate 
Fighting Back Partnership for its 15-year commitment to decreasing 
substance abuse and related crimes thereby improving the quality of 
life for all Vallejoans, and wish its board of directors, staff, and 
community partners many more years of success.

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