[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Pages 22981-22982]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                SUPPORTING THE GOALS OF RED RIBBON WEEK

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 277 which was submitted earlier 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 277) supporting the goals of Red 
     Ribbon Week.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. I rise today in support of a resolution that 
commemorates the annual ``Red Ribbon Week.'' I am pleased to have Mr. 
Grassley, Mr. Biden, Mr. Talent, Mrs. Dole, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Dominici, 
and Mr. Chambliss join me in introducing this resolution. The purpose 
of Red Ribbon Week is to educate and advocate a commitment to a drug-
free lifestyle. Red Ribbon Week also remembers the contribution of one 
soldier in the war against drugs, Drug Enforcement Administration 
Special Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena. I am honored to be here to 
seek the Senate's recognition and support again for the annual Red 
Ribbon Week Campaign.
  In Alaska, Red Ribbon Week will be a statewide celebration involving 
thousands of school children and those people and organizations who 
care about the welfare of our children and communities. On October 24, 
the city of Anchorage of will celebrate with a series of Red Ribbon 
events coordinated with the Anchorage School District, the Alaska 
National Guard, the Alaska State Troopers, the mayor of Anchorage, the 
Boys & Girls Clubs of Alaska, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the 
local U.S. Attorney's Office, many PTA groups and many others 
throughout the community.
  Throughout the week, Alaskans will be encouraged to show gratitude 
for everyone who remains drug-free and pledges to live a safe and drug-
free life and remember those we have lost in the fight against drugs.
  The Red Ribbon Week Campaign was started in 1988 by the Federation of 
Parents. It was organized as an 8-day event and was then chaired by 
then-President and Mrs. Reagan. The event began as a tribute to DEA 
Special Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena who was kidnapped, tortured, 
and murdered by drug traffickers in 1985. Those who advocate that drug 
addiction is a victimless crime should talk to the widow and children 
of Agent Camarena. His sons, Erik and Enrique, Jr. continue to honor 
their father and work to help children and families who are victims of 
drug-related crimes.
  The Red Ribbon that we wear during Red Ribbon Week is a symbol of 
zero tolerance for illegal drug use and a commitment to drug abuse 
prevention. The ribbon will be worn or displayed in the upcoming Red 
Ribbon Week by millions of Americans in an act of unity and remembrance 
of Agent ``Kiki'' Camarena.
  The distribution and abuse of illicit drugs is not a private matter. 
Drugs harm children. Drugs harm our communities. Illegal drugs only 
facilitate dependency, addiction and the breakdown of families.
  We must encourage our children to make better choices by making the 
same commitment in our own lives. We as parents and leaders must set 
good examples.
  Our children are growing up in a culture that continues to send 
confusing and mixed signals. Therefore, our children are confronting 
difficult choices on a continuous basis. Celebrities in the media, 
movies, television, and music often encourage them to make the wrong 
decisions. The Red Ribbon Campaign is one effort to help our children 
make the right decisions.
  I thank my colleagues for joining me in support of this resolution to 
help illustrate the Senate's commitment in

[[Page 22982]]

ensuring that our children know the benefits of a drug-free lifestyle 
and encouraging all people to live such a lifestyle.
  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 twentieth 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 State of Iowa, this year's Red Ribbon Week 
holds greater importance. I urge colleagues to join us in passing this 
resolution to demonstrate our commitment to raising awareness about 
drugs and encourage everyone to make healthy choices.
  Mr. FRIST. 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. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 277) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 277

       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 Drug 
     Enforcement Administration special agent 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 twentieth year of celebration, helping to 
     preserve Special Agent Camarena's memory and further the 
     cause for which he gave his life;
       Whereas the objective of Red Ribbon Week is to promote 
     drug-free communities through drug prevention efforts, 
     education, parental involvement, and community wide support;
       Whereas drug and alcohol abuse contributes to domestic 
     violence and sexual assaults, and places the lives of 
     children at risk;
       Whereas drug abuse is one of the major challenges our 
     Nation faces in securing a safe and healthy future for our 
     families and children;
       Whereas emerging drug threats, such as the growing epidemic 
     of methamphetamine abuse, jeopardize the progress made 
     against illegal drug abuse; and
       Whereas parents, youth, 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 a drug-
     free life; and
       (3) encourages all people of the United States to promote 
     drug-free communities and to participate in drug prevention 
     activities to show support for healthy, productive, drug-free 
     lifestyles.

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