[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 157 (Wednesday, October 19, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S6769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 300--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF RED RIBBON 
                               WEEK, 2011

  Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Crapo, 
Mr. Chambliss, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Thune) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 300

       Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign was established to 
     commemorate the service of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena, a 
     special agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration for 11 
     years who was murdered in the line of duty in 1985 while 
     engaged in the battle against illicit drugs;
       Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign was established by the 
     National Family Partnership to preserve the memory of Special 
     Agent Camarena and further the cause for which he gave his 
     life;
       Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign has been nationally 
     recognized since 1988 and is now the oldest and largest drug 
     prevention program in the United States, reaching millions of 
     young people each year during Red Ribbon Week;
       Whereas the Drug Enforcement Administration, established in 
     1973, aggressively targets organizations involved in the 
     growing, manufacturing, and distribution of controlled 
     substances and has been a steadfast partner in commemorating 
     Red Ribbon Week;
       Whereas the Governors and attorneys general of the States, 
     the National Family Partnership, Parent Teacher Associations, 
     Boys and Girls Clubs of America, PRIDE Youth Programs, the 
     Drug Enforcement Administration, and hundreds of other 
     organizations throughout the United States annually celebrate 
     Red Ribbon Week during the period of October 23 through 
     October 31;
       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 abuse is one of the major challenges that the 
     United States faces in securing a safe and healthy future for 
     families in the United States;
       Whereas drug abuse and alcohol abuse contribute to domestic 
     violence and sexual assault and place the lives of children 
     at risk;
       Whereas, between 1998 and 2008, the percentages of 
     admissions to substance abuse treatment programs as a result 
     of the abuse of marijuana and methamphetamines rose 
     significantly;
       Whereas drug dealers specifically target children by 
     marketing illicit drugs that mimic the appearance and names 
     of well-known brand-name candies and foods;
       Whereas emerging drug threats and growing epidemics demand 
     attention, with particular focus on the abuse of prescription 
     medications, the second most abused drug by young people in 
     the United States;
       Whereas since the majority of teenagers abusing 
     prescription drugs get the prescription drugs from family, 
     friends, and home medicine cabinets, the Drug Enforcement 
     Administration will host a National Take Back Day on October 
     29, 2011, for the public to safely dispose of unused or 
     expired prescription medications that can lead to accidental 
     poisoning, overdose, and abuse; and
       Whereas parents, young people, schools, businesses, law 
     enforcement agencies, religious institutions, service 
     organizations, senior citizens, medical and military 
     personnel, sports teams, and individuals throughout the 
     United States will demonstrate their commitment to healthy, 
     productive, and drug-free lifestyles by wearing and 
     displaying red ribbons during the week-long celebration of 
     Red Ribbon Week: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week, 2011;
       (2) encourages children and teens to choose to live drug-
     free lives; and
       (3) encourages the 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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