[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 51 (Wednesday, May 3, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S3990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 462--DESIGNATING JUNE 8, 2006, AS THE DAY OF A 
                    NATIONAL VIGIL FOR LOST PROMISE

  Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. Biden, and Mr. Talent) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 462

       Whereas over 26,000 citizens die from the effects of drug 
     abuse each year;
       Whereas the damage from drugs is not limited to drug 
     abusers, the collateral damage from drugs is enormous, and 
     drug abuse costs society over $60,000,000,000 in social costs 
     and lost productivity;
       Whereas drugs rob users, their families, and all the people 
     of the United States of dreams, promises, ambitions, talents, 
     and lives;
       Whereas drug abuse affects millions of families in the 
     United States;
       Whereas the stigma of drug abuse and the cloak of denial 
     keep many individuals and families from dealing with the 
     impact of drugs;
       Whereas many friends and families are ashamed to 
     acknowledge the death of their loved ones caused by drug 
     abuse;
       Whereas all the people of the United States can benefit 
     from illuminating the problem of drug abuse and its impact on 
     families, communities, and society;
       Whereas the futures of thousands of youth of the United 
     States have been cut short because of drug abuse, including 
     the life of--
       (1) Irma Perez, who suffered and died of an Ecstasy 
     overdose at age 14;
       (2) David Manlove, who wanted to be a doctor, but died from 
     inhalant abuse at age 16;
       (3) David Pease, an articulate debater, who died of a 
     heroin overdose at age 23;
       (4) Ian Eaccarino, a college student who died of a heroin 
     overdose at age 20;
       (5) Jason Surks, who was studying to be a pharmacist, but 
     died of prescription drug abuse at age 19;
       (6) Kelley McEnery Baker, who died of an overdose of 
     Ecstasy at age 23;
       (7) Ryan Haight, who died of an overdose of prescription 
     drugs he had purchased over the Internet at age 18; and
       (8) Taylor Hooton, a high school baseball star whose life 
     was cut short by steroids at age 16;
       Whereas these deaths represent only a small sample of the 
     lost promise that drug abuse has cost the future of the 
     United States;
       Whereas law enforcement, public health and research 
     organizations, community coalitions, drug prevention outreach 
     organizations, individual parents, siblings, friends, and 
     concerned citizens are joining together on June 8, 2006, in a 
     Vigil for Lost Promise, to call public attention to the 
     tremendous promise which has been lost with the deaths of 
     those affected by drugs: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals of the Vigil for Lost Promise;
       (2) encourages any families who have been affected by a 
     death due to drugs to visit www.nationalparentvigil.com;
       (3) encourages all young people to choose to live a drug-
     free life;
       (4) encourages all people of the United States to work to 
     stop drug abuse before it starts and remain vigilant against 
     the far reaching loss of promise caused by deaths from drug 
     abuse;
       (5) designates June 8, 2006, as the day of a National Vigil 
     for Lost Promise; and
       (6) encourages all citizens of the United States to 
     remember the lost promise of youth caused by drug abuse on 
     this day.

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, sadly, every year over 26,000 people die 
in this country from the effects of drug abuse. This is a staggering 
and sobering statistic. Still, millions more have been devastated by 
this tragic loss of life and promise. Ordinary people like you and I, 
are left to cope with the loss of a loved one senselessly taken at the 
hands of drugs.
  Over the years, families and friends have individually found ways to 
remember and honor their memory. But to date, there has been no 
national event to bring people together to call attention to the nature 
and extent of the drug problem in this country.
  Now, eight families who have personally suffered the loss of a loved 
one because of drugs have joined together to plan a remembrance. On 
June 8, 2006, the first annual Vigil for Lost Promise: Remembering 
Those Who Have Died From Drugs will be held in Washington, DC.
  This national event finally gives these and other families the 
opportunity to remember and honor the memory of those who have died 
from drugs. This event will illuminate for everyone just how pervasive 
and dangerous this problem is in our society.
  Others sharing similar stories of loss will be joined by leaders in 
the drug prevention, treatment and education fields, community leaders, 
clergy from all faith, educators, legislators and concerned citizens as 
well as the Drug Enforcement Administration, the National Institute on 
Drug Abuse and the Partnership for a Drug Free America to raise public 
awareness about the terrible toll that drugs take on families, friends 
and society .
  Today, I am pleased to submit along with my colleagues, Senator Biden 
and Senator Talent, a resolution to support the goals of the Vigil for 
Lost Promise and to designate June 8, 2006, as the day of a National 
Vigil for Lost Promise. It is important that these and other families 
who have lost of a loved one to drugs know that they are not alone. 
Many wonderful people have had to endure the same nightmare and this 
event lets everyone know that there is hope and there is help.
  I encourage all my colleagues to visit www.nationalparentvigil.com to 
learn more about this very important event. I also want to urge my 
colleagues to join us in passing this resolution to demonstrate our 
commitment to raising awareness about drugs and to lend our support to 
those who have lost a loved one to drugs.

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