[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9827]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING NATIONAL PRESIDENT JAN WITHERS

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 2014

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent and the 
National President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Jan Withers, who 
this December will complete a three and a half year term as President 
of MADD, the Nation's leading voice against drunk driving.
  Ms. Withers joined MADD in 1992, after her 15-year-old daughter, 
Alisa Joy, was killed by an underage drinker who chose to drive after 
consuming numerous alcoholic beverages. She first volunteered by 
sharing her story and lobbying for tougher legislation to help stop 
this preventable violent crime. In Maryland and across the country, 
Withers actively campaigned to lower the legal limit of blood alcohol 
content for drivers from 0.10 BAC to 0.08 BAC, and had the privilege to 
be present in the Oval Office when President Clinton signed that change 
into law in 2000.
  With all of the work she has done at the State and national level, 
her passion remains providing support for other victims and survivors 
of this violent crime. Before becoming National President in July 2011, 
Ms. Withers served as a victim's advocate for MADD Maryland, 
facilitating a support group for victims and participating in the MADD 
Maryland Operations Council. She joined the MADD National Board of 
Directors in 2005 and has served on numerous committees, including 
Communications and Branding, Public Policy, and Victim Services.
  During her tenure as National President, Ms. Withers has traveled the 
country and walked the halls of Congress speaking to lawmakers about 
MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, supporting the survivors of 
this violent crime, and preventing underage drinking. In large part 
because of her efforts, the recent highway reauthorization bill fully 
codified MADD's campaign by funding DUI crackdowns, creating an 
ignition interlock incentive grant program, and authorizing the Driver 
Alcohol Detection System for Safety--or DADSS program. We are all 
hopeful that these three initiatives will lead to a reduction and the 
eventual elimination of drunk driving in America.
  Thanks to the tireless efforts of Ms. Withers, thousands of lives 
have been saved and countless victims of this crime assisted. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring the service of MADD National 
President Jan Withers.

                          ____________________