[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26413]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      CELEBRATING RED RIBBON WEEK

  (Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of Red Ribbon 
Week, the annual campaign to prevent illegal drug use and promote drug-
free communities. All of our children have so much potential. All of 
our children deserve a chance at life. But it is so sad when families, 
friends and communities and faith fail a child and they become addicted 
to drugs. Caring for our children and making sure they do not get 
addicted to drugs is all of our responsibility.
  Mr. Speaker, 81 percent of teenagers ages 14 to 20 have used drugs. 
One out of every four high school seniors has used illegal drugs in the 
past 30 days; almost 30 percent of young adults have used marijuana in 
the past.
  This must change. Our children deserve better. Red Ribbon Week uses 
community action to educate and help prevent drug abuse. Throughout the 
United States, many of our schools are participating in this program, 
informing our children to stay away from drugs. I ask support for Red 
Ribbon Week in the State of California, and I ask support for Red 
Ribbon Week throughout our Nation.

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