[Page S9848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

SUPPORTING THE GOALS OF RED RIBBON WEEK

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 576, 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. 576) supporting the goals of Red
Ribbon Week.

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleague
Senator Murkowski in sponsoring a resolution commemorating the annual
Red Ribbon Week celebrated October 23-31. Red Ribbon Week encourages
individuals, families, and communities to take a stand against alcohol,
tobacco, and illegal drug use. I hope the rest of the Senate will join
in supporting this resolution and support this very important campaign.
The tradition of Red Ribbon Week, now in its twenty-first 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
home town 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, this year's 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 all designed to educate our children on
the negative effects of drugs and 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 anti-drug 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 methamphetamine abuse throughout
the Nation and especially in my State of Iowa, this year's Red Ribbon
Week holds greater importance. I urge my colleagues to join us in
passing this resolution to demonstrate our commitment to raising
awareness about drugs and encourage everyone to make healthy choices.
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today in support of a resolution
that commemorates the 21st 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 by
drug traffickers. Shortly after Agent Camarena's death, Congressman
Duncan Hunter and high school friend Henry Lozano launched ``Camarena
Clubs'' in his 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 eight-day event
proclaimed by the United States Congress and chaired by then President
and Mrs. Reagan.
With over 80 million people participating in Red Ribbon Week events
during the last week in October, it has become the Nation's oldest and
largest drug-prevention program. 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 of drug abuse, promoting
drug-free activities, and supporting everyone who has stood strong
against the daily bombardment of mixed signals sent by the mass media.
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 will be a statewide celebration involving
thousands of school children and other supporters. On October 23, the
Municipality of Anchorage, in conjunction with the Alaska Red Ribbon
Coalition, which is comprised of the Anchorage School District, the
Drug Enforcement Administration, the Alaska State Troopers, the Boys
and Girls Clubs of Alaska, the Alaska National Guard, and many other
organizations, will hold its Red Ribbon Week kickoff. Among other
activities, there will be poetry readings and dance performances, and a
Public Service Announcement featuring local youths sending an antidrug
message will be broadcast 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. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to
reconsider be laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 576) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

S. Res. 576

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 cosponsor
Red Ribbon Week during the week of October 23 through October
31;
Whereas a purpose of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to
commemorate the service of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena, a
special agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration who died
in the line of duty in 1985 while engaged in the battle
against illicit drugs;
Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign is nationally recognized
and is in its twenty-first year of celebration to help
preserve the memory of Special Agent Camarena and further the
cause for which he gave his life;
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 and alcohol abuse places the lives of children
at risk and contributes to domestic violence and sexual
assaults;
Whereas drug abuse is one of the major challenges that the
citizens of the United States face in securing a safe and
healthy future for the families and children of our Nation;
Whereas emerging drug threats, such as the growing epidemic
of methamphetamine abuse and the abuse of inhalants and
prescription drugs, jeopardize the progress made against
illegal drug abuse; 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 demonstrate their commitment to drug-free,
healthy lifestyles by wearing and displaying red ribbons
during this week-long celebration: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the goals of Red Ribbon Week;
(2) encourages children and teens to choose to live drug-
free lives; and
(3) encourages all people of the United States--
(A) to promote the creation of drug-free communities; and
(B) to participate in drug prevention activities to show
support for healthy, productive, and drug-free lifestyles.

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