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Drug-Free School Awards 6/19/89 [OA 4424]
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323154657
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Drug-Free School Awards 6/19/89 [OA 4424]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Mary Kate Grant Subject Files
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This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
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Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Grant, Mary Kate, Files
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Subject File, 1988-1991
OA/ID Number:
13879
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13879-011
Folder Title:
Drug-Free School Awards, 6/19/89
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19
2
7
4
e
- 2 -
nuns stood between the drug dealers and the children to protect them
as they marched to the church. Sister Raeihle says, "We're very
proud of the children. Even the little ones know what it's all
about, which is a shame. We have goodwill and kids with a lot of
hope. It's so hard for them and they have so much hope." God bless
you, Sister, and God bless the children. (Applause.)
Roosevelt Vocational School, from Lake Wales, Florida --
local police -- (applause) -- say this school is "sitting in the
middle of a drug supermarket." The students there are "high risk"
for drug use, many with difficult disabilities. And yet some ride
two and three hours to get to Roosevelt. Let me tell you why.
Less than 10 years ago, only 10 percent of Roosevelt's
graduates got and held jobs. But students soon realized that in
order to get the jobs they'd been trained for, they had to be drug
free. So they looked to the Kennedy Space Center -- which you can
see from the school windows -- and adopted the motto, "Aiming for the
highest."
And they kicked drugs out of the school, stopped feeling
sorry for themselves, turned their attention to others who needed
help -- adopting a local family whose father has Lou Gehrig's disease
and raising thousands of dollars to help them make ends meet. And
now, 75 percent of the students are employed after graduation, and
they aimed for the highest -- and made it. And they're here today,
too. (Applause.)
In fact, I heard a story about the principal, Harold
Maready, who made a bet with the students during Red Ribbon Week,
when students who are drug free wear red ribbons and clothes. He bet
them that if at least half the school wore red -- that is, were drug
free -- he'd paint his bald head with the words, "Just Say No."
Well, 225 out of 295 showed up in red -- (laughter) -- and guess what
happened? I wore this red ribbon today and this red tie because I
think Mr. Maready had a great idea, and I'm looking for for Marlin
Fitzwater here somewhere. (Laughter.)
Finally, a story from out West. Live Oak, California --
(applause) -- is a small town that started as a railroad stop
serving ranchers. The residents fill only five pages of the phone
book. One traffic light. No hospital, no jail. Just a drugstore, a
few restaurants, a post office. A quiet, small town? No. Not at
all. Drugs arrived over the border, brought by transient workers.
This county is now one of California'a major producers of
methamphetamines and a major contact area for drugs arriving from
Mexico. The drugs got into the school and things went downhill fast.
And during the last four years, however, this school developed a
drug-free education program that is gradually influencing the face of
the entire community. Students, parents, business leaders and
teachers came together -- and changed it from what we used to call
"the three R's" -- to "the four R's" -- respect, responsibility,
recognition and recreation.
And what made the difference was a temporary principal,
Mrs. Paula McIntire, assigned to the school for four months in 1985
-- temporary -- she's still there. (Laughter.) And one judge called
her "the visionary dynamo behind the progress" at one of the most
overwhelmed and understaffed schools around. She and a teacher,
Michael Dahl, beat the odds by "vision, no-nonsense leadership,
compassion and professional expertise." Mrs. McIntire and Mr. Dahl,
thank you for making the trip today, all this way, and thank you for
a job so well done. (Applause.)
As I look around here today, I see some of the top
commandos in the war on drugs -- our teachers, principals, community
leaders, parents and students. You're the ones winning this war
because you are the ones looking to tomorrow. You're the ones who
know that it takes a clear mind to get a good education and lead a
productive life. You understand that students have a right to learn
MORE
0
- 3 -
in drug-free schools.
And I know that school's out for the summer, but there's
one last lesson all America can learn from the courage and commitment
and, yes, the downright stubbornness of each of these heroes here
today who never gave up. Every school in this country can win.
Every school in this country can be safe and drug free.
Thank you and God bless you all, and congratulations.
And now I'd like to welcome the students that are here
from each school and join the Vice President and Secretary Cavazos in
presenting these awards, or at least shaking hands before you get to
the main event -- the award from our great Secretary of Education.
Thank you very much. (Applause.)
END
10:13 A.M. EDT
6/12,19,26
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
SCHEDULE PROPOSAL
May 17, 1989
TO:
JOSEPH W. HAGIN, II
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR
APPOINTMENTS AND SCHEDULING
FROM:
DAVID Q. BATES
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY TO
THE CABINET
REQUEST:
Drug-Free Schools Recognition Ceremony
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Education selects schools
for successful drug prevention programs.
Each of the schools selected has a clear "No
Drugs" policy, which is based on committed
leadership, established enforcement
procedures and community involvement.
The President could address the group and
present plaques to the 50 schools
(approximately ) who have demonstrated that
they have prevented or have substantially
reduced drug use by students, and have an
ongoing plan to be drug free.
This event could also highlight Crime/Drug
Week.
DATE:
June 12, 19, or 26, 1989
TIME:
To Be Determined
LOCATION:
East Room or Rose Garden
PARTICIPANTS:
Approximately 240 participants including
students, school officials, community
leaders, and parents.
MEDIA COVERAGE:
Open
REMARKS:
Yes
PROJECT OFFICER:
Justine D'Andrea
OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202
UNITED STATES of AMERICA
APR I 9 1989
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
MEMORANDUM
TO
: David Q. Bates
Assistant to the President/Secretary to the Cabinet
FROM
: Bill R. Phillips
up
Chief of Staff/Counselor to the Secretary
SUBJECT: "Drug-Free Schools Recognition Ceremony"
The U.S. Department of Education selects schools for successful
drug prevention programs. Each of the schools selected has a
clear "No Drugs" policy, which is based on committed leadership,
established enforcement procedures, and community involvement.
Schools nominated undergo an extensive and rigorous review
process. Judges conceded their success in:
-- assessing the extent of drug use
-- implementing a sound policy
-- enforcing the policy
-- teaching drug prevention
-- involving students, parents, and the community
To participate in the recognition program, a school must
demonstrate that it is preventing or has substantially reduced
drug use by students, and has an ongoing plan to be drug free.
This year's program is based on approximately 50 schools being
honored. Each school will be allotted four representatives --
reflective of the four components of a successful prevention
program: a school official, student; community person (e.g. law
enforcement), and a parent. The total number of projected
participants would be 240. Each school would receive a
recognition flag and a plaque.
Last year Mrs. Reagan presented the plaques in a ceremony in the
East Room. We are requesting that the President either present
the plaques or address the group either in the East Room or the
Rose Garden. Our target date is May 22, but we can be flexible
to President Bush's schedule.
Page 2--Mr. David Q. Bates
I have attached additional information on the program and
appreciate your assistance with this request.
Attachments
TO:
MK
from:
Monday, June Congrats! 19, 1989 1
Ed
White House News Summary
1:30 P.M. NEWS UPDATE
PRESIDENT/YOUTH EVENT (Christopher Connell, AP) -- President Bush,
opening a week of White House events focusing on youth, called for a day
when every school in the nation will be "safe and drug free." At a Rose
Garden ceremony, Bush honored schools for their efforts to rid their
corridors and classrooms of drugs. A high school from each state was
cited in the ceremony as part of the annual Drug-Free Schools recognition
program, launched by drug policy coordinator Bennett when he was
secretary of education in the Reagan administration. "As I look around
here today, I see some of the top commandos in the war on drugs -- our
teachers, community leaders, parents and students," the president said.
"You're the ones winning this war, because you are the ones looking to
tomorrow, you're the ones who know it takes a clear mind to get a good
education and lead a productive life. You understand that students have
a right to learn in drug-free schools."
(Thomas Ferraro, UPI) -- President Bush, devoting much of his day
to America's youth, saluted 47 nationally recognized "drug-free" schools as
evidence that all can win their respective wars against narcotics. "Every
school inthis country can be safe and drug-free," Bush told a
sun-drenched ceremony in the White House Rose Garden attended by
students, principals and teachers from the winning schools
Later
Monday, Bush, who has vowed to be an "Education President," was to give
the commencement address at 105-year-old Cheltenham High School in the
tiny community of Wyncote, Pa. Bush was flanked by Vice President
Quayle and Secretary Cavazos, who, as America's top educator, faces the
problem of many schools that are losing their drug wars to rising crime,
traffic and addiction.
ARMS TALKS (Geneva/AP) -- U.S.-Soviet talks on cutting long-range
nuclear forces reopened after a seven-month recess with few prospects of
an early breakthrough in the 4-year-old negotiations. While Washington
reportedly planned to press Moscow over the inspection provisions of a
future treaty, both sides have indicated no change in their stands on
other major outstanding issues
After the 30-minute session, [U.S.
negotiator] Burt told reporters he had outlined "President Bush's overall
approach to arms control, emphasizing the president's commitment to
reducing the risk of nuclear war."
"I hope we will make some progress," [Burt] said. [Yuri] Nazarkin
[the Soviet negotiator] said, "I'm satisfied. It was a good start." He did
not elaborate.
AFGHANISTAN/JOURNALIST (Islamabad/Reuter) -- Afghan government
troops have captured an American journalist covering the war in
Afghanistan, a U.S. Embassy spokesman in Islamabad said. He identified
the journalist as Tony O'Brien working for Life magazine. No further
details about him were available, nor was it immediately known when or
where he was captured.
-more-
White House News Summary
Monday, June 19, 1989 -- 2
1:30 P.M. NEWS UPDATE Continued)
CHINA (Beijing/Reuter) -- Chinese state radio carried calls to intensify
Marxist teaching as hard-line Premier Li Peng told the nation "quite a lot
of rioters" remained at large and had to be seized and punished lest they
stage a comeback. He added, however, that "the counter-revolutionary
rebellion is basically over." Beijing Radio led its main evening news
bulletin with a ringing call from a law professor to restore ideological
purity after the "recent chaos in Beijing," when hard-line authorities
called in troops with tanks to crush pro-democracy protesters. Thousands
of troops pulled out of central Beijing during the day but martial law
remained in force. Big lines formed outside Western embassies after China
further tightened exit visa rules for its citizens.
(Beijing/AP) -- Authorities postponed indefinitely a special session of
the national legislature that was scheduled before the pro-democracy
movement was crushed with the intent of discussing the movement's
demands. The move further deepens the mystery about what is going on
inside Communist China's traditionally secretive leadership. The
legislature may be waiting until the Communist Party holds an expected
Central Committee meeting to formally oust party General Secretary Zhao
Ziyang, who has reportedly already been stripped of power. Qiao Shi, the
party official responsible for security, has emerged as a likely successor.
POLAND (Warsaw/AP) -- Solidarity continued its domination of Poland's
national elections by winning eight of the nine seats still left open to the
opposition in a parliamentary runoff. But voters demonstrated widespread
apathy to races in which only communist candidates were competing. Only
in races featuring Solidarity-backed candidates did turnout exceed 25%
Also it was apparent from unofficial returns that progressive communists
were besting hardliners in several races. "The post-election shock has
brought about a need for a deep analysis of the situation," Politburo
member Leszek Miller said in an interview with the Communist Party
newspaper Trybuna Ludu. "The party is faced with the most serious
problems in its whole history," [he added.]
GREECE (Athens/AP) -- Voters rejected Premier Papandreou's
scandal-plagued socialist government, and thousands of people rallied in
the streets to cheer the conservative opposition that finished first. But
the center-right New Democracy party of Constantine Mitsotakis failed to
capture a majority, meaning the conservatives will have to try to forge a
coalition with other parties or else call new elections
Official figures
showed that New Democracy [Mitsotakis] received 2,655,580 votes, PASKO
[Papandreou] 2,335,123 and the Coalition of the Left and Progress 775,403.
Abstention was running about 21% of the 7.89 million eligible voters.
PHILIPPINES (Manila/AP) -- The military filed murder and attempted
murder. charges against a 27-year-old university employee and self-styled
communist rebel in the slaying of a U.S. Army colonel. The charges were
the first filed in the April 21 slaying of Col. James "Nick" Rowe, who was
slain on his way to work at the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group in
suburban Quezon City
During a news conference, Donato Continente,
who was arrested Friday at the University of the Philippines, told
reporters he was part of an elite, five-man rebel team that kept Rowe
under surveillance since late January. But Continente said he did not
help kill Rowe, a decorated Vietnam War Veteran.
-end-
The Washington Times
AY,
JUNE 20, 1989
WASHINGTON, D.C.
SUBSCRIBER SERVICE: 636-3333 25
PHONE: 636-3000
EDUCATION PROGRAM
Recognises
SPINGARN SENIOR Hinger
Photos by Kevin T. Gilbert/The Washington Times
Frank Parks, athletic director at Spingarn High School in Northeast, holds a plaque he received from President Bush honoring the "drug-free" school.
As I look around here today, I see some of
the top commandos in the war on drugs
Bush cheers schools' triumphs
By Frank J. Murray
hallways, the expensive clothes, he
and Enrique J. Gonzales
smelled the marijuana in the bath-
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
rooms and the locker rooms so he
started Operation SAND Student
President Bush lauded District
Activities, Not Drugs," Mr. Bush
teacher Frank Parks yesterday as
said.
"an American hero" who survived a
The president told how drug deal-
fire-bombing and other setbacks to
ers, trying to scare Mr. Parks, tossed
make Spingarn High School one of
a Molotov cocktail into his office 15
47 schools recognized as being
months ago while he and two stu-
"drug free."
dents were inside.
"He founded a program that
"It could have been death," Mr.
worked. He found answers," Mr.
Parks, 59, said. "The window is still
Bush said of Mr. Parks as plaques
bare but everything else is ren-
were presented to representatives of
ovated. We're still in business. We've
each of the 47 schools at a Rose Gar-
never been out of business."
den ceremony yesterday.
It wasn't the only incident against
him at the 585-student school at 26th
"As I look here today, I see some
of the top commandos in the war on
Street and Benning Road NE. In
drugs," the president said, canvass-
1986, a group meeting room was ran-
ing the crowd.
sacked, throw pillows were slashed
and Mr. Parks was ridiculed in a
Spingarn and the small, private
chalkboard diatribe.
MacArthur School at the Psychiatric
But an undeterred Mr. Parks said
Institute of Washington were the
yesterday he plans to continue the
only metropolitan area schools
peer support group he founded in
picked for the honor in April from
1984 when he first smelled mari-
300 nominated by state education de-
juana smoke in the building. It was
partments. One hundred were in-
the first time he had known of drug
spected before selections were
use at the school since he began-
made.
teaching there in 1962.
The award to Spingarn was the
"That's when it really drew my
first mentioned by Mr. Bush.
Denise Lombardi (left) and Raquel Moss of MacArthur School in Northwest,
attention," said Mr. Parks, a native of
"One man, a teacher named Frank
the other local school among the 47 honored yesterday, talk after the
Parks, saw the drug dealers in the
White House ceremony. Raquel said she kicked cocaine and PCP addiction.
see SCHOOLS, page All
eir
1,"
ed
SCHOOLS
someone from selling drugs, from
on drugs, said eligible schools
s-
taking drugs."
strongly enforce policies banning
Metropolitan Police, who have an
drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
to
From page A1
officer on duty there, as in many
"What they all have in common is
se
other schools, during day and eve-
indicators of success" in seven areas
ne
the small coalmining town of Logan,
ning classes, did not dispute the
that include drug education, staff
W.Va. "I was really naive."
Spingarn success.
training and student involvement
re
As athletic director, Mr. Parks in
"It's not considered by any means
such as peer counseling and turning
of
1984 confronted about 60 of his ath-
a big problem to us," police spokes-
in violators.
al-
letes in a meeting. They told him,
man Sgt. Joe Gentile said yesterday,
After beginning with Spingarn,
ve
yes, there was a drug problem at the
adding the department is unaware of
Mr. Bush told horror stories about
school, yes, there were drug dealers
any recent arrests or complaints at
schools from Florida to California
ev
at the school, but none was willing to
the school.
and introduced members of the au-
to
admit to drug use.
D.C. school security officials
dience who overcame long odds to
or
That's when Mr. Parks set out to
could not be reached for comment
shut drugs out of their schools.
id
start Operation SAND, which meets
yesterday.
Among them was Sister Mary
twice a week at lunchtime for confi-
The other area school to win rec-
Jane Raeihle whose Brooklyn office
n-
dential "rap sessions" on drug prob-
ognition was MacArthur, a private
safe was cracked by drug dealers,
he
lems.
institution in the 4400 block of Mac-
Mr. Bush said. "They left the money
at
"They [other students] come to
Arthur Boulevard NW. About 50 stu-
on her desk like a warning," but nuns
re
you with problems," said member
dents undergo drug and alcohol re-
physically stood between dealers
24
Carrie Weaver, a 16-year-old who will
habilitation in addition to regular
and students walking to the church
be a senior next school year. "We just
classes there.
to rehearse for graduation.
p-
counsel the students. They counsel
Raquel Moss, a student there who
"Every school in this country can
en
each other."
described herself as an addict who
win. Every school in this country can
is
In the past two years, the program
used PCP and cocaine but now main-
be safe and drug free," Mr. Bush
ee
has drawn attention from visiting
tains her sobriety, accepted the
said.
school officials from as far away as
school's plaque from Mr. Bush.
Mr. Bush did not mention that Mr.
S,
Brazil, Colombia and the People's
About 14 teachers and three so-
Parks bypassed retirement three
in
Republic of China, Mr. Parks said.
cial workers provide individualized
years in a row, persuaded by Princi-
e
During the summer, about 40 par-
attention to the adolescents, who
pal Ann Thomas, to continue the
ir
ticipants are hired at minimum
usually attend the school for one or
anti-drug effort at the school where
to
wage under the District's youth jobs
two years.
he has spent the last 27 years.
h-
program. The students work six
"We work hard to get them back
During an interview at the White
hours a day for four days a week as
in the less restrictive environment
House, Mr. Parks insisted, "There's
d
counselors at city recreation facili-
back in the mainstream of
no known one at our school using
ties and take part in Mr. Parks' train-
things," said education director Sally
drugs. If anyone was using, I would
Il
ing sessions for six hours one day a
Seawright, explaining that the
know about it."
e
week at Spingarn.
school is very tightly structured and
Mr. Parks cradled the plaque and
e
"It's training for the rest of your
administers weekly random drug
then said he would stay at the school
0
life," Miss Weaver said. "It's some-
tests.
"one more year."
thing that goes on with you through
Jim Betters, who coordinates a
Sonsyrea Tate contributed to
life. It's a great feeling if we can stop
Department of Education task force
this report.
NEW YORK POST, TUESDAY, JUNE 20. 1989
Bush salutes drug-free Brooklyn school
By DEBORAH ORIN
across the U.S. who do
violence of alcohol and
warning to the school to
as symbols for those who
around for his own balding
Bureau chief
more than just say no -
drugs," he added.
stop its anti-drug efforts.
don't use drugs.
press secretary, saying:
WASHINGTON:- - Presi-
they fight drugs.
Bush especially praised
Among the school's ef-
"He bet [his students]
"I'm looking for Marlin
dent's Bush yesterday
"This crusade to be a
the school's principal, Sis-
forts is notifying city offi-
that if at least half the
Fitzwater here some-
bailed a Brooklyn paro
beacon of hope in a neigh-
ter Mary Jane Reilly, say-
cials of the location of
school wore red - that is,
where."
chial school as "a total
borhood of burned-out
ing that "this brave nun"
crack houses in hopes of
were drug-free - he'd
drug -freevoasis in a sea of
buildings and frequent kill-
has used her own body to
getting them cleared out of
paint his bald head with
The White House event
crack dealers.
ings is taken with serious
stand between her stu-
the area.
the words, 'Just say no,'
yesterday was the start of
Bush's praise for St. John
risk," the president said of
dents and local drug deal-
Also cited by Bush was
Bush recounted.
a week in which Bush
St. John the Baptist.
Theodore Roosevelt HS in
ers.
The Bronx.
"Well 225 out of 295
plans to focus on events in-
the Baptist School in Bed-
Stuyvesant came at a
"The school is almost the
showed up in red - and
volving young people -
In fact, Bush said, drug
For the event, the Presi-
and Thursday, in New
Rose Garden ceremony
last life raft available to
dealers even broke into
dent sported a red tie and
guess what happened."
York, he will officially
honoring the "downright
families whose neighbor-
Sister Mary Jane's office
ribbon, which he said was
Bush then added that he
launch his youth volunteer
stubbornness' of students
hood's peace and quiet has
safe - and left the money
copied from a Florida
thought this was "a great
program, "Youth Entering
at 47 drug free schools
been overturned by the
they found on her desk as a
principal who used them
idea," and then looked
Service."
N.Y. DAILY NEWS 6/20/89
School scores
in drug battle
By FRANK JACKMAN
News Washington Bureau
'The brave nuns
WASHINGTON - President Bush
stood between
yesterday paid special tribute to a
Brooklyn parochial school he called a
the drug dealers
"drug-free oasis in a sea of crack deal-
ers" during a ceremony honoring
and the children
schools around the nation for their ef-
forts to rid corridors and classrooms
to protect them
of drugs.
as they marched
Singling out St. John the Baptist
School on Lewis Ave. in Bedford-Stuy-
to the church.'
vesant, Bush called for a day when ev-
-President Bush
ery school in the nation will be "safe
and drug-free."
The President told how, in an at-
neighborhood peace and quiet has
tempt to intimidate the school, drug
been overturned by the violence of al-
dealers had ransacked the office of
cohol and drugs."
the principal, Sister Mary Jane
The department said, "If this school
Raeihle, breaking into a safe where
is not a model of a drug-free school,
the school's money is kept.
then no such model exists."
"They left the money on her desk as
Bush quoted the principal, who was
a warning, as a message to the school
present at the ceremony, as telling
to stop its activities," Bush said. "But
him, "We're very proud of the chil-
St. John's has not stopped."
dren. Even the little ones know what
it's all about, which is a shame. We
The President noted that last week,
have good will and kids with a lot of
during practice for graduation exer-
hope. It's so hard for them and they
cises at St. John's, "The brave nuns
have so much hope."
stood between the drug dealers and
St. John the Baptist was one of 47
the children to protect them as they
schools from 24 states and the District
marched to the church."
of Columbia to be honored in the Edu-
The Education Department de-
cation Department's second annual
scribed the school as "almost the last
Drug-Free Schools recognition pro-
life raft available to families whose
gram,
I
S
a
W York, N.Y. 10017. Second class postage paid at New York, N.Y. and additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send address
17, Kingston, N.Y. 12401. Phone in N:Y. State: 800-638-3848 Outside NYA 860-431-6052. Tuesday, June 20, 19897 Vol. No. 308!
001
sett
goila
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 19, 1989
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS
RECOGNITION CEREMONY
The Rose Garden
10:04 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Secretary Cavazos. Mr. Vice
President, students, parents, teachers and friends, welcome to the
White House -- the steamy Rose Garden. We're delighted you're here.
I thought long and hard about what to say today -- how to
talk about the importance of drug education and prevention, and of
how we can save our schools and our children from drugs. And then I
read the judges reports about this year's Drug-Free Schools Award
winners, and these reports were simply incredible. So today, I'd
like to just tell some American stories -- stories about drug-free
schools and really some American heroes.
Let's start with Spingarn High School, right here in
Washington, D.C. (Applause.) Spingarn is in one of Washington's
worst drug areas -- a tough area -- and one teacher said, "Five years
ago, teachers were afraid to go out in the hall between classes.
There's no fear here now." One man, a teacher named Frank Parks, saw
the drug dealers in the hallways, the expensive clothes -- he smelled
the marijuana in the bathrooms and the locker rooms. So he started
Operation SAND -- Student Activities, Not Drugs -- and recruited
popular athletes as peer counselors. And he set up these "Rap Rooms"
for kids to confidentially talk about the drug problems. And he
founded a program that worked. He found answers.
And he's here today, and despite the fact that his office
was bombed a year ago. And I'm told he and his wife are available 24
hours-a-day for the kids, as they have been for years. And I hope
that the students will be lucky enough to have him for years to come.
Mr. Parks, thank you, and congratulations. (Applause.)
And next, let me tell you about St. John the Baptist
School in Brooklyn, New York. (Applause.) Here's what one of the
judges who visited the school wrote: "This school is a total
drug-free oasis in a sea of crack dealers. This crusade to be a
beacon of hope in a neighborhood of burned out buildings and frequent
killings is taken with serious risk. The school is almost the last
life raft available to families whose neighborhood peace and quiet
has been overturned by the violence of alcohol and drugs. And if
this school is not a model of a drug-free school, then no such model
exists.'
But keeping their school drug free was not enough for the
St. John's students. They've asked Mayor Koch to deliver the
neighborhood a drug-free community -- to declare it a drug-free
community, telling him about the crack houses and of the horror and
despair they see during breaks. Drug dealers recently broke into the
office of Sister Mary Jane Raeihle, the principal, ransacking it,
breaking into the safe where the school's money is kept. But they
left the money on her desk like a warning -- as a warning -- as a
message to the school to stop its activities. But St. John's has not
stopped.
And just last week, during graduation practice, the brave
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