[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 51 (Wednesday, May 3, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TEXAS MADD CANDLELIGHT VIGIL

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2006

  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, as you know, April 23-29 was designated as 
``National Crime Victims' Rights Week.'' In conjunction with crime 
victims' rights week, the Texas Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk 
Driving, MADD, held a statewide candlelight vigil on Monday, April 24, 
2006, in Austin, Texas. I had the privilege to attend, as well as 
speak, at the vigil. The candlelight vigil was held to recognize, 
remember, and honor all of the victims of crime, throughout the Great 
State of Texas. It is only fitting that we pay tribute the Texas 
Chapter of MADD for their dedication and commitment to educating, 
preventing, and ending drunk driving, and its devastating consequences, 
in Texas and throughout the United States.
  The National MADD Organization was established in 1980 by Candy 
Lightner, whose 13 year old daughter, Cari, was struck and killed by a 
drunk driver, while she was walking to a school carnival. All of MADD's 
10 presidents have been victims and/or lost a loved one to a drunk 
driver. MADD's current president, Glynn Birch became the first male 
president of the organization in 2005. Since its inception, MADD has 
grown from a single chapter to nearly 600 chapters nationwide, with the 
number of supporters in the millions. MADD has been responsible for 
raising the federal drinking age to 21 years of age, lowering the legal 
threshold for intoxicated driving to .08, launching countless public 
service and media ad campaigns alerting teens to the dangers of 
drinking and driving, and celebrating its 25th Anniversary with the 
theme--``MADD Celebrates Life.''
  The Texas Chapter of MADD has been recognized for its efforts 
throughout the state in promoting the goals and principals of the 
National MADD Organization. The Texas MADD was the recipient of the 
2002 Heart of MADD Award--honoring Texas' efforts in building strong 
victim service programs and outreach to victims of drunk driving crime. 
The Texas MADD has also been recognized by the National MADD 
organization for their work regarding their efforts to combat underage 
drinking in Texas, passing the .08 blood alcohol concentration in the 
Texas State Legislation, and for their contribution to a video for 
teens showcasing the danger of teenage alcohol consumption. The Texas 
Chapter of MADD has also supported countless pieces of Texas state 
legislation which protects its fellow Texans from drunk drivers, as 
well as making sure the offenders are adequately punished.
  The Texas Chapter of MADD, as well as the National MADD Organization, 
has made it their mission to protect our roadways and educate our 
citizens to the negative consequences of drunk driving. They are also 
responsible for caring for the victims from these senseless acts of 
violence, to ensure their voices are heard and not forgotten. The Texas 
Chapter of MADD truly deserves this recognition. That's just the way it 
is.

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