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“RED RIBBON DRUG AWARENESS WEEK, OCTOBER 23-30, 1997” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2076 on Oct. 24, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RED RIBBON DRUG AWARENESS WEEK, OCTOBER 23-30, 1997
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HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN
of new york
in the house of representatives
Thursday, October 23, 1997
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, today marks the beginning of Red Ribbon Week, an important drug awareness effort in our Nation to ensure that we do not lose generation after generation to the scourge of illicit drugs.
To those of us long familiar with the struggle against illicit drugs, Red Ribbon Week has a special meaning. It grew out of the gruesome murder of a courageous and dedicated DEA agent killed in the line of duty in 1985 fighting drugs in Mexico. The first red ribbon was worn in his memory back then, and the tradition has continued in an important drug awareness effort in our Nation.
I ask that a letter from our outstanding DEA Administrator Tom Constantine to me on the historical background and importance of Red Ribbon Week be included in the Record. I am also providing to both cloakrooms red ribbon lapel pins that Members can wear in the days ahead to help promote this worthy effort to prevent the spread of drugs, especially among our youth.
U.S. Department of Justice,
Drug Enforcement Administration,
Washington, DC, October 22, 1997.Hon. Benjamin A. Gilman,U.S. House of Representatives,Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Gilman: October 23, 1997, marks the beginning of Red Ribbon Week. As you know, the red ribbon became a symbol of the fight against drugs after Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique
``Kiki'' Camarena was kidnapped, tortured and murdered in Mexico in 1985. The ribbon was first worn in memory of Special Agent Camarena, and later evolved into a nationwide drug awareness campaign.
DEA Headquarters was honored to have Andrea Mazzenga, a student at Clarkstown South High School in Nanuet, New York, perform at our Red Ribbon Kick-Off Rally. Andrea sang ``Hands Across the Universe,'' a song composed by another Nanuet resident, Jordan Spivak. The song extolled the virtues of being drug-free.
The DEA would greatly appreciate it, Congressman Gilman, if you would submit a statement into the Congressional Record about the fact that October 23 to 30, 1997, is National Red Ribbon Week. The DEA urges everyone to wear a red ribbon in support of a drug-free nation. In 1986, 80 million children in all 50 states celebrated Red Ribbon Week and made the choice to be drug-free.
We have enclosed approximately 450 red ribbon lapel pins for you to distribute on the House floor. The people of the United States look up to their Congressional leaders. We believe that if members of Congress were to wear red ribbons, it would inspire the nation to reflect on the sacrifices that agents such as Kiki Camarena have made and also to concentrate on making the positive choice to be drug-free.
The DEA appreciates all the support you have given our agency and the drug effort throughout your career. We hope we can count on you to introduce Red Ribbon Week into the Congressional Record. If you need more information about Red Ribbon Week, feel free to call Robert D. Dey, Chief of DEA's Demand Reduction Section, at 202-307-7936.
Thank you again for all your support throughout the years.
Sincerely,
Thomas A. Constantine,
Administrator.
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