[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18681]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE WASHINGTON REGIONAL ALCOHOL PROGRAM ON ITS 30TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 2, 2013

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) and to congratulate it on 
the occasion of its 30th anniversary.
  Founded in 1982, WRAP is an award winning, public-private coalition 
formed to fight drunk driving, drugged driving, and underage drinking 
in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Through educational and 
innovative public programs, WRAP is credited with keeping Washington 
area alcohol related death rates consistently below the national 
average. Programs and resources include Youth Outreach, Adult Outreach, 
and Public Education programs designed to educate students and the 
general public on the dangers of alcohol and drugs, particularly 
driving while under the influence. Through the WRAP Holiday SoberRide 
program, individuals who are impaired can request a free cab ride home. 
Since SoberRide was launched in 1993, 55,851 free cab rides have been 
provided, preventing possible accidents and deaths.
  In 1982, the year that WRAP was founded, 26,173 people in the United 
States lost their lives in alcohol-related car accidents; 60% of all 
traffic fatalities involved drunk driving. Due to the tireless efforts 
of WRAP, other organizations such as MADD and SADD, local and state 
police, and enforcement of more stringent anti-drunk driving laws, 
alcohol-related traffic fatalities decreased to 9,878.
  Since 1997, WRAP has sponsored an annual Law Enforcement Awards 
Ceremony to honor local law enforcement professionals who have gone 
above and beyond the call of duty in the fight against drunk driving. 
It is my honor to enter the following names of the 2012 Law Enforcement 
Award of Excellence recipients into the Congressional Record:

       Officer Brandon Smith, City of Alexandria Police Department
       Officer Avery Carroll, Arlington County Police Department
       Police Officer Harold Morris, Fairfax County Police 
     Department
       Deputy Alexander Brackle, Loudoun County Sheriff's Office
       Trooper John W. Cabrera, Maryland State Police
       Officer Roderick Saunders, Metropolitan Police Department
       Police Officer John Romack, Montgomery County Department of 
     Police
       Corporal Christopher Lord, Prince George's County Police 
     Department
       Police Officer Jeremy A. Schenck, Prince William County 
     Police Department
       Officer Ronald Pisano, United States Park Police
       Senior Trooper Michael S. Middleton, Virginia State Police

  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
recipients of the 2012 Law Enforcement Award of Excellence and in 
recognizing WRAP for its 30 years of public service. I commend the 
staff of WRAP under the leadership of President Kurt Erickson for their 
tireless dedication to eradicating underage drinking and drunk driving. 
Their efforts combined with the support of partner organizations and 
law enforcement agencies have truly saved lives and are deserving of 
our highest praise and gratitude.

                          ____________________