[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3345]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MRS. BETTY SEMBLER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM H. PUTNAM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 2008

  Mr. PUTNAM. Madam Speaker, I am honored to congratulate Mrs. Betty 
Sembler as she receives the Drug Enforcement Agency Museum Foundation 
``2008 Lifetime Achievement Award.'' It is certainly well-deserved as 
she has dedicated her life to helping prevent and mitigate drug use 
among our Nation's younger generation.
  Most notably, Mrs. Sembler helped found the Drug Free America 
Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing, 
promoting and sustaining global strategies, policies and laws that will 
reduce illegal drug use, drug addiction, drug-related injury and death.
  Through her efforts, the Drug Free America Foundation has helped 
raise awareness about drug use and its harmful effects to kids across 
Florida, our Nation and the world. Having received Special Consultative 
Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, Mrs. 
Sembler has worked collaboratively with other non-governmental 
organizations globally to support international efforts to sustain 
sound drug policy. In fact, the Foundation convened the International 
Task Force on Strategic Drug Policy in 2001 which is now composed of 
more than 20 member nations who help advise governments to effect 
change in their nations.
  Her accomplishments do not stop there. Mrs. Sembler helped re-launch 
the ``Students Taking Action Not Drugs,'' or STAND, which has launched 
several public-service campaigns regarding drug use and help youth with 
addiction problems find help. Their mission is to use science-based 
principles to educate college students about the danger of drugs and 
reduce drug use among 18- to 25-year olds. She has also been 
instrumental in working with and combining forces with other related 
organizations, including the National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance, 
which was merged with the Drug-Free Workplaces if Tampa Bay project in 
2006.
  In short, Mrs. Sembler has led an active life of public service that 
has greatly benefited her state and Nation, and I am so pleased she is 
receiving this prestigious award. Congratulations Betty, I wish you and 
your family continued success.

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