Draft of the Letter from President George H. W. Bush to Major Larry Johnson Regarding Consumption of Alcohol by Underage Drinkers

THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON Dear Major Johnston: Thanks so much for writing and for letting me know about the commercial use of an "excerpt" from my May 1990 commencement address at Oklahoma State University. As you noted in your letter, I certainly did not intend to encourage the consumption of alcohol by underaged youths when I mentioned the suggestion that I "get a beer and some cheese fries" at Eskimo Joe's. Nor did I intend to glamoxrize drinking among adults of legal age. This Administration remains firmly committed to the fight against substance abuse, and I would be deeply dismayed if I had inadvertently undermined the work of organizations such as the Oklahoma Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth. In fact, as part of this Administration's efforts to eliminate drug and alcohol abuse in the United States and to promote the well-being of our citizens, Surgeon General Antonia Novello has launched a nationwide campaign to discourage irresponsible drinking and the use of alcohol by underaged youths. The advertisement that you described in your letter is troublingon a number of grounds and I have asked the office of White House Legal Counsel to look Into this natter as soon as possible Thanks again for bringing it to our attention. Best wishes to you and to your fellow Federation members. Sincerely, contacted My the staff has Major Larry A. Johnston, USAF, Ret. owner and they to of Eskino Executive Director Oklahoma Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth Joe's found him responsive Suite 103 be I 815 South Denver Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119 and am of that will .