[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 20, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S9848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                SUPPORTING THE GOALS OF RED RIBBON WEEK

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 576, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 576) supporting the goals of Red 
     Ribbon Week.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleague 
Senator Murkowski in sponsoring a resolution commemorating the annual 
Red Ribbon Week celebrated October 23-31. Red Ribbon Week encourages 
individuals, families, and communities to take a stand against alcohol, 
tobacco, and illegal drug use. I hope the rest of the Senate will join 
in supporting this resolution and support this very important campaign.
  The tradition of Red Ribbon Week, now in its twenty-first year of 
wearing and displaying red ribbons, started following the assassination 
of U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' 
Camarena. In an effort to honor his memory and unite in the battle 
against drug crime and abuse, friends, neighbors, and students from his 
home town began wearing red ribbons. Shortly thereafter, the National 
Family Partnership took the celebration nationwide. Since then, the Red 
Ribbon campaign has reached millions of children, families, and 
communities across the country, spreading the message about the 
destructive effects of drugs.
  In my State of Iowa, this year's theme for Red Ribbon Week is Take a 
Stand--Be Drug Free. Schools and community groups across the State are 
organizing a variety of activities including pledges, contests, 
workshops, rallies, theatrical and musical performances, and other 
family and educational events all designed to educate our children on 
the negative effects of drugs and promote a drug-free environment.
  Research tells us that the longer a child stays drug-free the less 
likely they will become addicted or even try illegal drugs. This is why 
it is so important to maintain a coherent anti-drug message that begins 
early in adolescence and continues throughout the growing years. Such 
an effort must involve parents, communities, and young people. Red 
Ribbon Week provides each of us the opportunity to take a stand by 
helping our children make the right decisions when it comes to drugs.
  In light of the growing epidemic of methamphetamine abuse throughout 
the Nation and especially in my State of Iowa, this year's Red Ribbon 
Week holds greater importance. I urge my colleagues to join us in 
passing this resolution to demonstrate our commitment to raising 
awareness about drugs and encourage everyone to make healthy choices.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today in support of a resolution 
that commemorates the 21st Annual Red Ribbon Campaign. I am honored to 
again seek the Senate's continuing support and recognition of Red 
Ribbon Week, which is October 23 through October 31.
  In 1985, Special Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena of the Drug 
Enforcement Administration was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by 
drug traffickers. Shortly after Agent Camarena's death, Congressman 
Duncan Hunter and high school friend Henry Lozano launched ``Camarena 
Clubs'' in his hometown of Calexico, CA. In honor of Agent Camarena, 
hundreds of club members wore red ribbons and pledged to lead drug-free 
lives. The campaign quickly gained statewide and then national 
prominence. In 1988, what is now the National Family Partnership 
organized the first National Red Ribbon Week, an eight-day event 
proclaimed by the United States Congress and chaired by then President 
and Mrs. Reagan.
  With over 80 million people participating in Red Ribbon Week events 
during the last week in October, it has become the Nation's oldest and 
largest drug-prevention program. Red Ribbon Week memorializes Agent 
Camarena, and all those who have lost their lives in the war on drugs, 
by educating young people about the dangers of drug abuse, promoting 
drug-free activities, and supporting everyone who has stood strong 
against the daily bombardment of mixed signals sent by the mass media. 
The Red Ribbon that we will wear during Red Ribbon Week is a symbol of 
zero tolerance for illegal drug use and our commitment to help people, 
especially children, make the right life-decisions.
  In Alaska, Red Ribbon Week will be a statewide celebration involving 
thousands of school children and other supporters. On October 23, the 
Municipality of Anchorage, in conjunction with the Alaska Red Ribbon 
Coalition, which is comprised of the Anchorage School District, the 
Drug Enforcement Administration, the Alaska State Troopers, the Boys 
and Girls Clubs of Alaska, the Alaska National Guard, and many other 
organizations, will hold its Red Ribbon Week kickoff. Among other 
activities, there will be poetry readings and dance performances, and a 
Public Service Announcement featuring local youths sending an antidrug 
message will be broadcast throughout the State.
  As people across the country stand together against drugs, I thank my 
colleagues for joining me in what will hopefully be a continuation of 
the tradition of congressional support and recognition of Red Ribbon 
Week.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 576) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 576

       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 
     special agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration 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 twenty-first year of celebration to help 
     preserve the memory of Special Agent Camarena and further the 
     cause for which he gave his life;
       Whereas the objective of Red Ribbon Week is to promote the 
     creation of drug-free communities through drug prevention 
     efforts, education, parental involvement, and community-wide 
     support;
       Whereas drug and alcohol abuse places the lives of children 
     at risk and contributes to domestic violence and sexual 
     assaults;
       Whereas drug abuse is one of the major challenges that the 
     citizens of the United States face in securing a safe and 
     healthy future for the families and children of our Nation;
       Whereas emerging drug threats, such as the growing epidemic 
     of methamphetamine abuse and the abuse of inhalants and 
     prescription drugs, jeopardize the progress made against 
     illegal drug abuse; and
       Whereas parents, youths, 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 week-long celebration: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals of Red Ribbon Week;
       (2) encourages children and teens to choose to live drug-
     free lives; and
       (3) encourages all people of the United States--
       (A) to promote the creation of drug-free communities; and
       (B) to participate in drug prevention activities to show 
     support for healthy, productive, and drug-free lifestyles.

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