[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 134 (Thursday, October 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           UNDERAGE DRINKING

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 20, 2005

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the Congressional 
Hispanic Caucus to highlight the issue of underage drinking.
  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the first use of 
alcohol typically begins at age 12. Additionally, research tells us 
that the majority of kids are accessing the alcohol they drink from 
family and friends. According to Teenage Research Unlimited, 51 percent 
of 13-15 year olds say they will be faced with making a decision 
regarding alcohol in the next three months.
  The good news is that parents are the leading influence on kids' 
decision not to drink alcohol. It is critical that parents and other 
trusted adults initiate conversations with kids about underage drinking 
well in advance of the first time they are faced with a decision 
regarding alcohol.
  Yesterday, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus teamed up with The 
Century Council and Nickelodeon to launch Pregunte, Escuche, Aprenda: 
tLos ninos y el alcohol no mezclan! The program was developed in 
collaboration with LULAC, Aspira Association, the National Latino 
Children's Institute, National Hispanic Medical Association and MANA, 
among others and is an adaptation of the English program, Ask, Listen, 
Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don't Mix.
  The program is designed to reduce underage drinking, particularly 
among children ages 9-13. The information is useful for parents, other 
trusted adults and kids and includes strategies to help facilitate 
conversations about the dangers of underage drinking.
  I commend The Century Council and Nickelodeon for giving Latino 
parents and children across the Nation such a valuable communications 
tool to initiate those critically important discussions regarding 
alcohol.

                          ____________________