[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




BETTY SEMBLER OF TREASURE ISLAND, FLORIDA SELECTED FOR FLORIDA WOMEN'S 
                              HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. C. W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 2009

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, Mrs. Betty Sembler, who I have 
the privilege to represent, has been named to the Florida Women's Hall 
of Fame for her lifetime of work to protect our nation's youth and 
adults from the scourge of drug abuse.
  Florida Governor Charlie Crist selected her to be enshrined in the 
Hall of Fame in recognition of her three decade war on drugs. This is 
an effort she has taken on with great passion at the local, state and 
federal level. Betty has been a delegate to the White House Conference 
for a Drug-Free America and a member of the Governor's Drug Policy Task 
Force in Florida. She has served on the board of DARE Florida and DARE 
America, a national organization that provides anti-drug education to 
elementary and middle school students.
  Betty also took her battle worldwide as she served as Vice Chairwoman 
of DARE International and fought against international drug 
legalization efforts around the globe while traveling with her husband 
Mel, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Australia and Italy.
  Back home in Pinellas County, Betty was the Founder and President of 
Save Our Society from Drugs and the Drug Free America Foundation, Inc., 
nationally and internationally recognized non-profit organizations that 
promote sound drug policies, drug free workplaces, high school and 
college drug awareness and education programs, maintain one of the 
nation's largest libraries of anti-drug literature and reports, 
disseminate reliable scientific information, and help with the 
development of international drug free standards through The 
International Taskforce on Strategic Drug Policy and The Drug 
Prevention Network of the Americas.
  In addition to her tireless work against drug abuse, Betty has also 
found time to serve on the Board of the Florida Holocaust Museum; the 
Florida Governor's Mansion Foundation; the Florida House in Washington, 
DC; and the University of Florida Brain Addiction Research Advisory 
Council.
  Betty's non-stop work against drug abuse and in so many other 
philanthropic efforts have been honored nationally. In May 2005, she 
was named as an honorary Special Agent of the Drug Enforcement Agency 
and in March 2008, the Drug Enforcement Agency Museum Foundation 
presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award. She has also been 
recognized by the Houston Drug Free Business Initiative and in 2000 the 
Girl Scouts of the Suncoast Council named her a ``Woman of 
Distinction.''
  Madam Speaker, I have known Betty Sembler for many years not only as 
a constituent but as a dear friend and I can tell you that no one works 
harder for our community, our state and our nation. She has fought the 
war against drugs block by block, state by state and nation by nation. 
She is called upon by medical, government and law enforcement leaders 
for her advice on combating illegal drugs and on drug education 
campaigns.
  And she has represented the United States with great distinction as 
the First Lady to Ambassador Mel Sembler. She has been most gracious in 
forging special relationships with the leaders of some of our nation's 
greatest and most critical allies.
  In all of these endeavors, Betty Sembler has served with a special 
spirit and energy that has amazed all who have come to know her. Her 
greatest passion though, is for her family. Mel, her husband of 56 
years, and Betty are the proud parents of three children and 11 
grandchildren. They are special Americans who have always kept their 
priorities in order--faith, family and country.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in thanking Betty 
Sembler for her lifelong service to our nation and in congratulating 
her on being inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame.

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