[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Pages 27257-27258]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF RED RIBBON WEEK

  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 348, 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. 348) supporting the goals and ideals 
     of Red Ribbon Week.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today in support of a resolution 
that commemorates the 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 in the 
line of duty by drug traffickers. Shortly after Agent Camarena's death, 
Congressman Duncan Hunter and high school friend Henry Lozano launched 
``Camarena Clubs'' in the agent's 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 8-day 
event proclaimed by the U.S. Congress and chaired by then-President and 
Mrs. Reagan.
  This campaign is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program 
in the Nation, reaching millions of youth through Red Ribbon Week 
events. 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

[[Page 27258]]

of drug abuse, promoting drug-free activities, and supporting everyone 
who has stood strong against illicit drugs. 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 is a statewide celebration involving 
thousands of school children and other supporters. On October 22, the 
Municipality of Anchorage, in conjunction with the Alaska Red Ribbon 
Coalition and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Alaska, will host a Red 
Ribbon Week kickoff. The Red Ribbon Coalition is comprised of the 
Anchorage School District, the Alaska State Troopers, the U.S. Drug 
Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Department of Justice. In 
addition, the Alaska National Guard and 43 Boys and Girls Clubs across 
Alaska will help other Alaskan communities celebrate Red Ribbon Week 
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. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleague, 
Senator Murkowski, in cosponsoring a resolution commemorating Red 
Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week, celebrated October 23-31 of this year, 
encourages individuals, families and communities to take a stand 
against alcohol, tobacco and illegal drug abuse.
  The tradition of Red Ribbon Week, now in its 22nd 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 hometown of 
Calexico, CA, 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, the 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. These events are all designed to educate 
our children on the negative effects of drugs and to 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 antidrug 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 prescription drug and cold 
medicine abuse throughout the Nation, this year's Red Ribbon Week holds 
greater importance. I thank my colleagues for passing this resolution 
to demonstrate our commitment to raising awareness about drugs and 
encourage everyone to make healthy choices.
  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid on the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 348) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 348

       Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign was established to 
     commemorate the service of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena, an 11-
     year special agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration who 
     was murdered in the line of duty in 1985 while engaged in the 
     battle against illicit drugs;
       Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign has been nationally 
     recognized since 1988 to preserve Special Agent Camarena's 
     memory and further the cause for which he gave his life, and 
     is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the 
     Nation, reaching millions of young people each year during 
     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, and more than 100 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 
     Nation faces in securing a safe and healthy future for our 
     families;
       Whereas drug and alcohol abuse contribute to domestic 
     violence and sexual assault, and place the lives of children 
     at risk;
       Whereas, although public awareness of illicit drug use is 
     increasing, emerging drug threats and growing epidemics such 
     as the abuse of prescription medication--the second most 
     abused drug by youth, methamphetamine, and inhalants demand 
     attention;
       Whereas drug dealers are specifically targeting children by 
     marketing illicit drugs that mimic the appearance and names 
     of well known brand-name candies and foods; 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 will demonstrate their commitment to healthy, 
     productive, and drug-free lifestyles by wearing and 
     displaying red ribbons during this week-long celebration: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week;
       (2) encourages children and teens to choose to live drug-
     free lives; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to promote 
     the creation of drug-free communities and to participate in 
     drug prevention activities to show support for healthy, 
     productive, and drug-free lifestyles.

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