[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 137 (Tuesday, October 25, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H9058-H9059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SUPPORTING THE GOALS OF RED RIBBON WEEK

  Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 485) supporting the goals of Red Ribbon Week.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 485

       Whereas the Governors and Attorneys General of the States, 
     the National Family Partnership, Parent Teacher Associations, 
     Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and more than 100 other 
     organizations throughout the United States annually cosponsor 
     Red Ribbon Week during the week of October 23 through October 
     31;
       Whereas a purpose of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to 
     commemorate the service of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena, a Drug 
     Enforcement Administration special agent who died in the line 
     of duty in 1985 while engaged in the battle against illicit 
     drugs;
       Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign is nationally recognized 
     and is in its twentieth year of celebration, helping to 
     preserve Special Agent Camarena's memory and further the 
     cause for which he gave his life;
       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 and alcohol abuse contributes to domestic 
     violence and sexual assaults, and places the lives of 
     children at risk;
       Whereas drug abuse is one of the major challenges our 
     Nation faces in securing a safe and healthy future for our 
     families and children;
       Whereas emerging drug threats, such as the growing epidemic 
     of methamphetamine abuse, jeopardize the progress made 
     against illegal drug abuse; and
       Whereas parents, youth, schools, businesses, law 
     enforcement agencies, religious institutions, service 
     organizations, senior citizens, medical and military 
     personnel, sports teams, and individuals throughout the 
     United States demonstrate their commitment to drug-free, 
     healthy lifestyles by wearing and displaying red ribbons 
     during this weeklong celebration: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals of Red Ribbon Week;
       (2) encourages children and teens to choose to live a drug-
     free life; and
       (3) encourages all people of the United States to promote 
     drug-free communities and to participate in drug prevention 
     activities to show support for healthy, productive, drug-free 
     lifestyles.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Hampshire (Mr. Bass) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H. Res. 485.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Hampshire?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 485, which would 
resolve that the House of Representatives support the goals of Red 
Ribbon Week during the week of October 23 through October 31 in order 
to commemorate the services of DEA Special Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' 
Camarena, who died in the line of duty in 1985 while engaged in the 
battle against illicit drugs.
  I also understand that Red Ribbon Week encourages children and teens 
to choose to live a drug-free life, and I understand also that this 
resolution encourages all people of the United States to promote drug-
free communities and to participate in drug-free prevention activities 
to show support for healthy, productive, drug-free lifestyles.
  We know ultimately that education is the answer to drug abuse amongst 
children. As the father of a 14-year-old and a 12-year-old, I can 
assure you that education is key. What Red Ribbon Week does is 
recognize nationally the importance of keeping our youth off of drugs, 
and I am particularly pleased that we are commemorating this year and 
through this resolution Special Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a great resolution. I urge Congress to pass it.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 485, a resolution 
supporting the goals of Red Ribbon Week, October 23 through October 31, 
2005.
  As mentioned, the original and most fundamental purpose of Red Ribbon 
Week is to honor the memory of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena, a Drug 
Enforcement Administration agent who was brutally murdered by drug 
traffickers in 1985.
  Now in its 20th year, Red Ribbon Week has grown into a national 
campaign to promote drug-free communities by raising awareness, 
particularly among our children, of the perils of drug use. During this 
week, communities, school and home-based programs will convey important 
drug use information to millions of our fellow citizens, particularly 
the most vulnerable among our children.
  I regularly participate in one of those celebrations in my own 
district and appreciate the educational aspect of Red Ribbon Week. It 
aims to prevent drug use. Red Ribbon Week is a useful part of what we 
all acknowledge is a constant challenge in young lives.
  Notwithstanding the many laudable aspects of Red Ribbon Week, it is 
clear that we still have a lot of work to do. The most recent National 
Survey on Drug Use and Health tells us that almost 8 percent of the 
population over the age of 12 are current users of illicit drugs. 
Current use of illicit drugs is even more prevalent among teens, almost 
11 percent. While marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug, 
methamphetamine use is spreading across the country at alarming rates.
  The NSDUH report also notes significant use and abuse of alcohol, 
tobacco and legal drugs such as pain relievers and tranquilizers. 
Again, young people in their late teens and early twenties have use 
rates in each of these areas that are significantly higher than the 
overall average.
  We need to bolster our efforts aimed at prevention and do more to 
return our citizens to normal productive lives when their lives have 
been overtaken by drug abuse. And we should steer our policies and 
resources away from the overly militaristic and supply-side strategies 
of recent years. They do not work, and the money would be better spent 
on proven, effective ways to combat drugs and drug use.
  While resolutions such as this are nice, and, in fact, they are 
important, they do not provide the additional resources necessary to 
provide prevention and treatment services for all who need them. 
Nonetheless, Mr. Speaker, I would urge all of my colleagues to support 
H. Res. 485, supporting the goals of Red Ribbon Week.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Arkansas (Mr. Snyder).
  Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution that was sponsored 
by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) and the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Cummings) and others. The line I like in it the most is 
it talks about encouraging children to choose a drug-free life, because 
the reality is, as every parent knows, you cannot follow around your 
kids for the rest of their life. They have to have the kind of honesty 
and information and judgment that they make the right choice for the 
rest of their life with regard to the use of drugs and the abuse of 
alcohol.
  Part of that honesty, of course, is to familiarize kids with the 
brutality of the drug culture and what it has been like around the 
world. This resolution pays tribute to Kiki Camarena and his brutal 
death, but also brings attention to the fact the level of brutality and 
violence that accompanies the drug trade.
  In Arkansas tomorrow there is going to be a celebration of the 20th 
anniversary of the Arkansans for Drug-Free Youth, the Red Ribbon Rally, 
and the Teen Summit on Alcohol and Tobacco. Governor Mike Huckabee will 
be there, along with 6,000 schoolchildren, 6,001 if you count TV 
personality Craig O'Neill, who will also be there, to celebrate this 
day in Arkansas.

[[Page H9059]]

  As a family doctor, I have seen many times the ravages of addiction 
to both drugs and alcohol. It is not only the health problems that 
occur, but job loss and problems in families and child abuse and 
spousal abuse. It is bad stuff that can come from drug addiction.
  From the medical perspective, the infections we have seen, infections 
that change lives and destroy lives, do bad things to people, there are 
so many reasons we need to help these kids choose a drug-free life.
  So thank you to the sponsors of this bill for proposing it. I know 
that everyone in Congress supports the goals of giving kids the tools 
they need to choose a drug-free life.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 485. Red 
Ribbon Week is the annual campaign to prevent illegal drug use and to 
promote drug-free communities.
  All of our children have so much potential. All of our children 
deserve a chance at life.
  Caring for our children and making sure they do not get addicted to 
drugs is all of our responsibility.
  Mr. Speaker, 81 percent of teenagers ages 14 to 20 have used drugs. 
One out of every four high school seniors has used illegal drugs in the 
past 30 days; almost 30 percent of young adults have used marijuana in 
the past.
  This must change. Our children deserve better.
  Better treatment and policing are essential to winning the battle 
against drugs, but prevention is the foundation. Red Ribbon Week uses 
community action to educate and help prevent drug abuse.
  This community led movement started in Imperial Valley, California 
and is changing lives across the Nation.
  Throughout the United States, many of our schools are participating 
in this program, informing our children to stay away from drugs.
  As a father and a grandfather, I would like to state my personal 
commitment to Red Ribbon Week, and to saving the lives of our children.
  That is why I sponsored a bill supporting Red Ribbon Week in the 
107th Congress, which passed unanimously.
  I urge my colleagues to support Red Ribbon Week in the State of 
California, and I ask for their support for Red Ribbon Week throughout 
our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 485.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 485, 
legislation commemorating Red Ribbon Week.
  The week was created to pay homage to Agent Enrique Camarena, a man 
who dedicated his career to and sacrificed his life for the war against 
illegal drugs. Throughout his career as a Drug Enforcement 
Administration agent, Agent Camarena worked on the front lines of the 
drug war. His courage and dedication were admirable.
  In 1985, while working undercover in Mexico, Special Agent Camarena 
was brutally kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by drug dealers at the 
age of 37. Although his death was tragic, it served as a catalyst for 
the entire Nation to unite and formulate constructive ways to combat 
illegal drugs.
  Congressman Duncan Hunter and Henry Lozano, a friend of Camarena's in 
his hometown of Calexico, CA, originally launched Camarena Clubs. 
Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the 
sacrifices made by Camarena and other brave Americans. These coalitions 
began to wear red badges of satin, red ribbons, as a symbol of 
Camarena's memory. The Red Ribbon Week campaign emerged from the 
efforts of these coalitions. Eventually, news about the week spread and 
soon transformed Red Ribbon Week into one of the largest drug 
prevention and education events in the country.
  Today, Red Ribbon Week is nationally recognized and celebrated, 
helping to preserve Special Agent Camarena's memory and to further the 
cause for which he gave his life. The Red Ribbon Campaign also became a 
symbol of support for the DEA's efforts to reduce demand for drugs 
through prevention and education programs.
  During the last week of October of each year, over 80 million 
Americans participate by wearing red ribbons symbolizing a public stand 
against illegal drugs. Wearing a red ribbon pays homage not only to 
Special Agent Camarena, but to all men and women who have made the 
ultimate sacrifice in support of our Nation's struggle against drug 
trafficking and abuse.
  Mr. Speaker, America's youth are the focus of the event, and 
activities during Red Ribbon Week are planned to encourage adoption of 
a firm stance against drug usage. The Week also serves an equally 
important role as a day of remembrance of every American that has ever 
been a victim of drug-related violence.
  Now in its 20th year, Red Ribbon Week has accomplished remarkable 
things. However, it is now our responsibility to build upon this 
foundation in an effort to mitigate substance abuse in America.
  According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2004, 
approximately 19.1 million Americans over the age of 12 were illicit 
drug users. This number reflects 7.9 percent of the total population 
and 10.6 percent of our youth population. This statistic is especially 
alarming with the emergence of club drugs like ecstasy and the alarming 
rise of crystal methamphetamine use. We must act now to ensure that 
more attention and education is provided to America's youth about the 
dangers of drugs and their deleterious effects.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe drug treatment is key. Bringing it closer to 
home, my district has at least 60,000 crack cocaine and heroin addicts. 
In fact, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, 
Baltimore City continues to have one of the most severe heroin problems 
and one of the highest drug-related homicide rates in the entire 
nation. In 2004, 34,076 people received treatment in my district.
  I believe emphasis on prevention, education and treatment amalgamated 
in Red Ribbon Week has the ability to make a substantial impact in the 
anti-drug movement. In fact, a recent study has shown that each dollar 
invested in prevention totals a savings of 10 dollars in treatment. For 
this reason, we should continue to push forward in this battle and 
never give up on the hope that one day, we can win this war.
  That is why I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 485. I applaud my 
dear friend, Representative Mark Souder, Chairman of the Government 
Reform Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee, 
of which I am the Ranking Member for sponsoring this resolution. It is 
my hope that increased awareness of Red Ribbon Week will aid our nation 
in achieving a drug-free America. May the legacy of Special Agent 
Camarena live on and may the message of Red Ribbon Week resound in the 
hearts of all Americans.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, this is a great resolution. I urge the 
Congress to adopt it.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 485.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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