[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 10970-10971]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE FIRST GRADUATING CLASS OF THE D.A.R.E. PROGRAM AT 
                         FOREST HILL ELEMENTARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April, 28, 2009

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure 
that I rise today to congratulate the first graduating class of the 
Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, or D.A.R.E, at Forest Hill 
Elementary.
  I am truly proud of the 50 students who participated in this 
important class that equips our young people with the support and 
knowledge they need to say no to drugs, underage drinking and gang 
violence.

[[Page 10971]]

  In 1983, D.A.R.E. began as a small program in Los Angeles. Today, it 
is implemented in more than 75 percent of our country's school 
districts and in more than 43 other nations.
  To mark the success of these students, Forest Hill Elementary will 
hold a graduating ceremony on May 4, 2009. I am glad these students 
will be recognized for taking this step toward leading positive and 
productive lives.
  Moreover, I applaud the efforts of the police officers, faculty and 
families who helped support this accomplished group as they worked to 
complete the D.A.R.E. program this school year.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the first graduating 
class of the D.A.R.E. program at Forest Hill Elementary. Your success 
is a true testament to the strong community values of Forest Hill.

                          ____________________