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11-2-95 Cmnty Anti-Drug Coalition Washington, D.C. [1]
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11-2-95 Cmnty Anti-Drug Coalition Washington, D.C. [1]
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FOIA Number: 2006-0462-F
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Clinton Presidential Records
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Speechwriting
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Terry Edmonds
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11-2-95 Cmnty Anti-Drug Coalition Washington, D.C. [1]
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REVISED
REMARKS BY
95NOV 2
Ag.
PRESIDENT WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
ANNUAL CONVENTION
COMMUNITY ANTI-DRUG COALITIONS OF
AMERICA
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NOVEMBER 2, 1995
REVISED
[Acknowledgements: Jim Copple, CADCA's National
Director; Jim Burke; Marni Vliet (V-LET), CADCA
Chair; Alvah Chapman, CADCA Founding Chair; Lee
Brown; Lori Plank, Trooper Ed Plank's widow;
Patricia Gilbert, Jeff Gardner's mother; Colonel David
Mitchell, head of the Maryland State Troopers]
Thank you, Ms. Plank for the gift of this bracelet. for
the gift of your courage.
- 2 -
Trooper Plank gave the ultimate gift of his life in the
line of duty. But he and other officers who have made
the supreme sacrifice will not be forgotten. This
bracelet and the others that will be distributed as part of
the "Working together to save lives" campaign will be a
constant reminder to me and all Americans that it is up
to each and every one of us to do our part to stop the
senseless killing that is so often the tragic outcome of
illegal drug activity.
- 3 -
I want to also commend Patricia Gilbert for taking a
stand to help make sure that no more children suffer the
fate of her son, Jeff, who died after a tragic incident
with drugs this past June.
I want to begin by thanking my good friend Jim Burke
and all of you for standing up for the youth of
America.
- 4 -
At a time when many would cripple and even abandon
our struggle to save our children from the ravages of
drugs, violence, teen pregnancy and underage smoking,
you have stood firm and refused to back down. You
understand that we will never, never solve the drug and
violence problems of our young people without the
commitment and involvement of every American --
students, parents, educators, the media -- all of us. It
all starts with personal responsibility.
- 5 -
Nothing the government does or your coalitions do will
amount to anything unless every child and every adult
in this country takes personal responsibility for being a
good person, a good citizen, a good parent.
Parents have a special role to play. The best crime
prevention and anti-drug program in this country has
always been and still is good parenting.
- 6 -
It's government's job to uphold law and order, but it's
parents' job to teach their children right from wrong.
I want all of you to know that you do not walk alone.
My Administration, under the leadership of our
Director of National Drug Policy, Lee Brown, is
joining many of you in getting out the urgent message
to our teenagers: Stay drug-free. This must be a
constant drumbeat.
- 7 -
Everyday, in school, in the media, at home, we must
send our kids one message loud and clear: drug use is
wrong, it is illegal, and it is dangerous.
It is clear. We do have a drug problem in this country.
But we can do something about it -- and we are. My
Administration is tackling this problem from top to
bottom, beginning with taking on the notorious Cali
Cartel.
- 8 -
The Cali Cartel, which pumped drugs into America
with impunity for years, is now on the run.
After years of operating largely untouched by
Colombian law enforcement, seven of the eight top
drug traffickers in the Cali cocaine cartel were arrested
by Colombian authorities during 1995. Investigative
activity by U.S. enforcement agencies provided much
of the evidence for the cases against the Cali kingpins.
But cutting off the supply is only half of the equation.
- 9 -
We must take strong steps right here in America to
reduce demand and punish those who threaten the lives
of our children and our communities. That's why we
established the death penalty for drug kingpins.
They
should reap what they sow.
A year ago, with the enactment of the Crime Bill, we
all made a clear statement of personal responsibility to
the young people of America.
- 10 -
We pledged to do everything we could to ensure their
safety and provide alternatives to crime and violence.
It was one of my proudest moments as President.
We're putting cops on the beat and getting guns, drugs
and kids off the street. "Three-strikes-you're out" is
now the law of the land. We're taking the strongest
stand in history against the terrible problem of violence
against women.
- 11 -
That's the way to build a safe America for the next
generation.
And all this is beginning to work. For the first time in
a very long time, the crime rate is down all over this
country. But, now is not the time to turn our backs on
this progress. Let me be clear: this is not about
balancing the budget. I am for balancing the budget.
- 12 -
Before I became President we had quadrupled the debt
in 12 years. In the last three years we have nearly cut
the deficit in half -- from $290 billion in 1992 to $164
billion today. I am for balancing the budget.
But the purpose of balancing the budget is to lift the
burden of debt from our young people, to create jobs,
to strengthen our economy, to improve the quality of
life in the future.
- 13 -
We cannot do that if we decide to balance the budget in
ways that undermine our economy and our values.
That is why I have said repeatedly, we do not have to
cut education, and we must not cut our efforts to reduce
the crime rate, to reduce violence, and to give our
children a safer, more secure future. A balanced
budget that puts our children at risk is not acceptable.
- 14 -
There's another reason we shouldn't walk away from
our progress in the fight against drugs and violence.
Even with all that we have achieved, there are two dark
clouds hanging over us -- rising crime and rising drug
use among teenagers.
The Justice Department issued a report recently which
showed that while overall crime is down, violent crime
committed by juveniles is at an all-time high.
- 15 -
I have told the Attorney General that my top priority is
the reduction of juvenile violence. We must not
tolerate the killing of an innocent child by gang
members simply because her parents drove down the
wrong street. We must not tolerate the killing of
innocent children in school or standing at bus stops by
thugs driving by with assault weapons and handguns.
- 16 -
We must not tolerate the shooting of one youth by
another simply because the killer felt he was shown
disrespect. This is not the America I grew up in. This
is not the America any of us want to live in. And this
is not the America we want to pass on to our children.
It is also true that marijuana use is rising among our
young people.
- 17 -
But, it is important to remember that even with these
rising trends, most kids in America are not using drugs
or involved in violent activity. Most kids in America
are too busy going to school and preparing for the
future to get caught up in drugs and violence. Let me
say to them, keep up the good work. You are doing
the right thing.
- 18 -
And to the communities out there that are struggling to
take back their streets and keep their kids off of drugs,
let me tell you there is hope. There are communities
that are succeeding -- many of them because of the
work of CADCA. There's the citizens of Pierce
County, Washington who have formed the "Safe Streets
Campaign" to combat illegal drug and gang activity and
the violence that accompanies these ills. Their efforts
are making a difference.
- 19 -
They have closed down over 600 drug dealing locations
in 12 target communities and reduced calls to 911 by
23,000 calls.
And in Hamilton, Missouri citizens are banding
together in an all-out attack on drugs and violence.
They are using such innovations as a Youth Peer Court
and conflict mediation beginning in grade 4 to educate
and empower their young people.
- 20 -
We need to share what is working and keep up the
pressure. That's why today, I am announcing that my
Administration will convene a White House leadership
conference on adolescent drug use and violence in
January. We will bring together experts from both
inside and outside the Administration, including parents
and teens to highlight local successes so we can build a
true national coalition to combat drugs and violence.
- 21 -
You will be hearing more about this in the coming
weeks.
One of the things we'll be discussing at that conference
is the role of the media in the fight against drugs.
Everyday, our children are bombarded with media
messages that tell them its cool to drink, smoke
cigarettes or do drugs.
- 22 -
Let me remind everyone that, conversely, the media
can play an important role in influencing the attitudes
our kids have about the harmfulness and social
unacceptability of using drugs.
One of the best examples of what media can do to help
reduce drug use is the work of the Partnership for a
Drug-Free America.
- 23 -
The media has donated over $2 billion in support of
Partnership anti-drug messages on television and radio,
in print and outdoor billboards. And Lee Brown has
enlisted the support of sports and television celebrities
in a new TV and radio public service campaign aimed
at the nation's youth.
These messages are working to change attitudes and
reduce drug use.
- 24 -
But we now need more kids and more parents to see
more of these messages more often. So I am asking the
media across this nation, when it comes to the fight
against drugs -- turn up the volume. You as
community leaders have the power to move the media.
So I am asking you to conduct your own media blitz.
Knock on their doors until they open up. Talk to them
until they get it. And stay on them until they make
drug prevention a natural part of their programming day.
- 25 -
In closing, let me say that the battle against substance
abuse and violence must be waged person by person,
family by family, community by community. But it
must be backed by all our efforts. We are doing what
we can at the national level -- with punishment, with
working to keep drugs out of the country, with helping
our community-based efforts to promote safe and drug-
free schools, with prevention and treatment. And I will
keep fighting to make sure these efforts are funded.
- 26 -
But I hope all of you will help me in this battle. It's up
to all of us build a drug-free, crime-free America in the
21st century.
Thank you and God bless you all.
- 27 -
11/01/95 WED 23:57 FAX
+++ D BAER
009
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
November 1, 1995
MEMORANDUM FOR STAFF NEEDING TO TRAVEL TO OSAKA AND TOKYO,
JAPAN WITH THE PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY IN NOVEMBER, 1995.
FROM:
ERSKINE BOWLES
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND
DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF
DAN K. ROSENTHAL
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ADVANCE
RE:
Authorization for Travel
As you know, the President and First Lady will travel to Osaka and Tokyo, Japan
from November 16-21, 1995 to participate in the APEC meetings and a State Visit.
To best meet the needs of the President, members of the Cabinet, members of
Congress and other travelling staff with minimum cost to the government, we will continue
the institutional travel approval process for Presidential trips abroad. This process will help in
allocating available hotel space, issuing passports and visas, coordinating logistical details,
and limiting the travelling party to those staff who are essential to the completion of the
President and First Lady's mission.
The following procedures must be followed for any staff or guests needing to travel in
advance of the President and First Lady, on Air Force One, or on any other commercial or
military aircraft in connection with the visit. Only persons who follow these procedures will
be allowed to travel.
Requests for travel must be submitted in writing or by electronic mail to Dan
Rosenthal in Room 185 of the Old executive Office Building by COB Friday
November 3, 1995. Requests submitted subsequent to this deadline will be
rejected.
11/01/95 WED 23:57 FAX
+++ D BAER
010
Each Request Must Include:
a.
Traveller's name, agency/department, and position;
b.
Reason for needing to travel on this trip;
c.
Exact itinerary as it is proposed;
d.
Mode of travel requested (ie. Air Force One, commercial aircraft);
No traveller will be issued a ticket or allowed on an aircraft without prior
approval of the White House Deputy Chief of Staff. Notice of approval will
be sent to all travelers by Thursday November 9, 1995.
All approved travellers will require a-Japanese visa. Persons requiring a visa
form may contact Dan Rosenthal at (202) 456-5317 or David Beaubaire at
(202) 456-2923.
All travellers to the APEC meetings in Osaka must provide three passport sized
color photographs with their travel request for use in official credentials. White
House personnel who do not have passport photos on file with the Advance
Office can have photos made at the Travel Office, room 87 of the Old
Executive Office Building.
Thank you for you assistance with this matter, and your adherence to these procedures. If you
have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Dan Rosenthal at (202) 456-5317
Fax: (202)456-2317.
11/01/95 WED 23:55 FAX
+++ D BAER
0
003
SCHEDULE OF THE PRESIDENT
FOR
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1995
FINAL
tba
MORNING RUN
7:15 am
APPOINTMENT
RESIDENCE
Staff Contact: Stephanie Streett
8:45 am-
MEETING
9:00 am
OVAL OFFICE
Staff Contact: Leon Panetta
9:00 am-
BRIEFING
9:15 am
OVAL OFFICE
Staff Contact: Tony Lake
9:15 am-
BRIEFING
9:30 am
OVAL OFFICE
Staff Contact: Tony Lake
9:30 am-
PHONE CALL TO FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH
9:45 am
OVAL OFFICE
Staff Contact: Tony Lake
9:45 am-
BRIEFING
10:00 am
OVAL OFFICE
Staff Contact: Rahm Emanuel
10:05 am
THE PRESIDENT departs the White House via motorcade en route J.W.
Marriot Hotel
[drive time: 5 minutes]
10:10 am
THE PRESIDENT arrives the J.W. Marriot Hotel
Greeters:
Jim Copple, President, Community Anti-Drug
Coalitions of America
Marni Vliet, Chair, Community Anti-Drug
Coalitions of America
Jim Burke, Chair, Partnership For A Drug-Free
America
Alvah Chapman, former CEO, Knight-Ridder
Newspapers
Nelson Cooney, Deputy Director, Community
Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
11/01/95 WED 23:56 FAX
D BAER
1
004
10:15 am-
MEETING WITH THE PLANK FAMILY
10:25 am
PRESIDENTIAL HOLD
J.W. Marriot Hotel
Event Coordinator: Patrick Steel
Staff Contact: Rahm Emanuel
CLOSED PRESS
10:30 am-
REMARKS TO THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP FORUM OF
11:20 am
COMMUNITY ANTI-DRUG COALITIONS
CAPITAL BALLROOM
J.W. Marriot Hotel
Remarks: Terry Edmonds
Event Coordinator: Patrick Steel
Staff Contact: Rahm Emanuel
OPEN PRESS
-
Off-stage announcement of Lee Brown, accompanied by Jim Burke
Marni Vliet and Alvah Chapman.
-
Off-stage announcement of the President, accompanied by Lori Plank
and Jim Copple.
-
Jim Burke makes welcoming remarks and introduces Lee Brown.
-
Lee Brown makes remarks and introduces Jim Copple.
--
Jim Copple announces the "Working Together to Save Lives
Campaign" and introduces the President.
NOTE:
Lori Plank is introduced by Jim Copple and will present the President with a
memorial bracelet to kick-off the campaign before The President makes remarks.
/
-
The President makes remarks.
-
Upon conclusion of remarks, the President works a ropeline and
departs.
11:30 am
THE PRESIDENT departs J.W. Marriot Hotel via motorcade en route the
White House
[drive time: 5 minutes]
11:35 am
THE PRESIDENT arrives the White House
11:45 am-
MEETING
12:00 pm
OVAL OFFICE
Staff Contact: Erskine Bowles
11/01/95 WED 23:56 FAX
D BAER
005
12:00 pm-
LUNCH WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT
1:00 pm
OVAL OFFICE
1:00 pm-
PHOTO-OP/SIGNING FOR HR 402
1:30 pm
(ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT)
OVAL OFFICE
Event Coordinator: Paula Thomasson
Staff Contact: Patrick Griffin
WHITE HOUSE PHOTO ONLY
-
The President greets congressional members and their guests as they
arrive in the Oval Office.
--
The President, accompanied by congressional members, proceeds to
the desk to sign HR 402, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
--
Upon conclusion of the signing, the President presents congressional
members with commemorative pens.
1:30 pm-
PHONE/OFFICE TIME
4:30 pm
OVAL OFFICE
4:30 pm-
MEETING
5:30 pm
OVAL OFFICE
Staff Contact: Harold Ickes, Doug Sosnik
5:30 pm-
SCHEDULING MEETING
6:00 pm
CABINET ROOM
Staff Contact: Stephanie Streett, Anne Walley
6:00 pm-
PHONE/OFFICE TIME
6:45 pm
OVAL OFFICE
6:45 pm
THE PRESIDENT departs the White House via motorcade en route the
National Museum of Women in the Arts
[drive time: 10 minutes]
11/01/95 WED 23:56 FAX
D BAER
006
6:55 pm
THE PRESIDENT arrives the National Museum of Women in the Arts
Greeters:
Monte Friedkin, National Chairman, National Jewish
Democratic Council
Jeff Hirschberg, Chair, Hubert Horatio Humphrey
Humanitarian Award
Elizabeth Schrayer, Acting Executive Director, National
Jewish Democratic Council
7:00 pm-
RECEIVING LINE WITH MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL
7:35 pm
JEWISH DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL
THIRD FLOOR GALLERY
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Event Coordinator: Nicole Elkon
Staff Contact: Alexis Herman
WHITE HOUSE PHOTO ONLY
7:40 pm-
NATIONAL JEWISH DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL GALA
8:15 pm
GREAT HALL
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Remarks: Carolyn Curiel
Event Coordinator: Nicole Elkon
Staff Contact: Alexis Herman
OPEN PRESS
--
Off-stage announcement of the President, accompanied by the 1995
NJDC Award Recipients and the General Chairman of the DNC,
Senator Christopher Dodd.
-
Monte Friedkin makes welcoming remarks.
--
Jeff Hirschberg makes brief remarks, introduces the President and
presents him with a gift.
--
The President accepts the gift and makes remarks.
-
Upon conclusion of remarks, the President departs.
8:20 pm
THE PRESIDENT departs the National Museum of Women in the Arts via
motorcade en route the Sheraton Carlton
[drive time: 10 minutes]
8:30 pm
THE PRESIDENT arrives the Sheraton Carlton
Greeters:
Terry McAuliffe, Finance Chairman, Clinton/Gore 1996
Laura Hartigan, Finance Director, Clinton/Gore 1996
11/01/95 WED 23:56 FAX
+++ D BAER
4
007
8:35 pm-
CLINTON/GORE RECEPTION
9:10 pm
CRYSTAL BALLROOM
Sheraton Carlton
Remarks: Gabrielle Bushman
Event Coordinator: Nicole Elkon
Staff Contact: Doug Sosnik
CLOSED PRESS
-
Off-stage announcement of the President, accompanied by Val
Halamandaris, President, National Association for Home Health Care
-
Kaye Daniels, President, Hospital Home Health Care of California
introduces Val Halamandaris.
--
Val Halamandaris makes remarks and introduces the President.
--
The President makes remarks.
-
Upon conclusion of remarks, the President works a ropeline and
departs.
9:10 pm
THE PRESIDENT proceeds to the Chandelier Room
Greeters:
Karen Pace, Vice President of Research, Regulatory Affairs
and Education
Dayle Berke, Director of Government Affairs, National
Association for Home Care
Ron Everly, Vice President for Operations, National
Association for Home Care
William Dombi, Vice President for Law, National
Association for Home Care
Janet Neigh, Vice President for Policy, National
Association for Home Care
11/01/95 WED 23:57 FAX
D BAER
008
9:15 pm-
CLINTON/GORE DINNER
10:20 pm
CHANDELIER ROOM
Sheraton Carlton
Event Coordinator: Nicole Elkon
Staff Contact: Doug Sosnik
CLOSED PRESS
-
Terry McAuliffe introduces the President.
-
The President makes brief remarks and then takes questions from the
audience.
-
Upon conclusion of remarks, the President departs.
10:25 pm
THE PRESIDENT departs the Sheraton Carlton via motorcade en route the
White House
[drive time: 5 minutes]
10:30 pm
THE PRESIDENT arrives the White House
BC AND HRC RON THE WHITE HOUSE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
ANNUAL CONVENTION
COMMUNITY ANTI-DRUG COALITIONS OF AMERICA
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NOVEMBER 2, 1995
[Acknowledgements: Jim Copple, CADCA's National Director; Jim
Burke; Marni Vliet (V-LET), CADCA Chair; Alvah Chapman, CADCA
Founding Chair; Lee Brown; Lori Plank, Trooper Ed Plank's widow;
Patricia Gilbert, Jeff Gardner's mother; Colonel David Mitchell,
head of the Maryland State Troopers]
Thank you, Ms. Plank for the gift of this bracelet for the gift
of your courage. Trooper Plank gave the ultimate gift of his life
in the line of duty. But he and other officers who have made the
supreme sacrifice will not be forgotten. This bracelet and the
others that will be distributed as part of the "Working together
to save lives" campaign will be a constant reminder to me and all
Americans that it is up to each and every one of us to do our
part to stop the senseless killing that is SO often the tragic
outcome of illegal drug activity. I want to also commend
Patricia Gilbert for taking a stand to help make sure that no
more children suffer the fate of her son, Jeff, who died after a
tragic incident with drugs this past June.
I want to begin by thanking my good friend Jim Burke and all of
you for standing up for the youth of America. At a time when
many would cripple and even abandon our struggle to save our
children from the ravages of drugs, violence, teen pregnancy and
underage smoking, you have stood firm and refused to back down.
You understand that we will never, never solve the drug and
violence problems of our young people without the commitment and
involvement of every American -- students, parents, educators,
the media -- all of us. It all starts with personal
responsibility. Nothing the government does or your coalitions
do will amount to anything unless every child and every adult in
this country takes personal responsibility for being a good
person, a good citizen, a good parent.
Parents have a special role to play. The best crime prevention
and anti-drug program in this country has always been and still
is good parenting. It's government's job to uphold law and
order, but it's parents' job to teach their children right from
wrong.
I want all of you to know that you do not walk alone. My
Administration, under the leadership of our Director of National
Drug Policy, Lee Brown, is joining many of you in getting out the
urgent message to our teenagers: Stay drug-free. This must be a
constant drumbeat. Everyday, in school, in the media, at home,
we must send our kids one message loud and clear: drug use is
wrong, it is illegal, and it is dangerous.
1
It is clear. We do have a drug problem in this country. But we
can do something about it and we are. My Administration is
tackling this problem from top to bottom, beginning with taking
on the notorious Cali Cartel. The Cali Cartel; which pumped
drugs into America with impunity for years, is now on the run.
After years of operating largely untouched by Colombian law
enforcement, seven of the eight top drug traffickers in the Cali
cocaine cartel were arrested by Colombian authorities during
1995. Investigative activity by U.S. enforcement agencies
provided much of the evidence for the cases against the Cali
kingpins.
But cutting off the supply is only half of the equation. We must
take strong steps right here in America to reduce demand and
punish those who threaten the lives of our children and our
communities. That's why we established the death penalty for
drug kingpins. They should reap what they SOW.
A year ago, with the enactment of the Crime Bill, we all made a
clear statement of personal responsibility to the young people of
America. We pledged to do everything we could to ensure their
safety and provide alternatives to crime and violence. It was
one of my proudest moments as President.
We're putting cops on the beat and getting guns, drugs and kids
off the street. "Three-strikes-you're out" is now the law of the
land. We're taking the strongest stand in history against the
terrible problem of violence against women. That's the way to
build a safe America for the next generation.
And all this is beginning to work. For the first time in a very
long time, the crime rate is down all over this country. But,
now is not the time to turn our backs on this progress. Let me
be clear: this is not about balancing the budget. I am for
balancing the budget. Before I became President we had
quadrupled the debt in 12 years. In the last three years we have
nearly cut the deficit in half -- from $290 billion in 1992 to
$164 billion today. I am for balancing the budget.
But the purpose of balancing the budget is to lift the burden of
debt from our young people, to create jobs, to strengthen our
economy, to improve the quality of life in the future. We cannot
do that if we decide to balance the budget in ways that undermine
our economy and our values.
That is why I have said repeatedly, we do not have to cut
education, and we must not cut our efforts to reduce the crime
rate, to reduce violence, and to give our children a safer, more
secure future. A balanced budget that puts our children at risk
is not acceptable.
There's another reason we shouldn't walk away from our progress
2
in the fight against drugs and violence. Even with all that we
have achieved, there are two dark clouds hanging over us
rising crime and rising drug use among teenagers.
The Justice Department issued a report recently which showed that
while overall crime is down, violent crime committed by juveniles
is at an all-time high. I have told the Attorney General that my
top priority is the reduction of juvenile violence. We must not
tolerate the killing of an innocent child by gang members simply
because her parents drove down the wrong street. We must not
tolerate the killing of innocent children in school or standing
at bus stops by thugs driving by with assault weapons and
handguns. We must not tolerate the shooting of one youth by
another simply because the killer felt he was shown disrespect.
This is not the America I grew up in. This is not the America
any of us want to live in. And this is not the America we want
to pass on to our children.
It is also true that marijuana use is rising among our young
people. But, it is important to remember that even with these
rising trends, most kids in America are not using drugs or
involved in violent activity. Most kids in America are too busy
going to school and preparing for the future to get caught up in
drugs and violence. Let me say to them, keep up the good work.
You are doing the right thing.
And to the communities out there that are struggling to take back
their streets and keep their kids off of drugs, let me tell you
there is hope. There are communities that are succeeding many
of them because of the work of CADCA. There's the citizens of
Pierce County, Washington who have formed the "Safe Streets
Campaign" to combat illegal drug and gang activity and the
violence that accompanies these ills. Their efforts are making a
difference. They have closed down over 600 drug dealing
locations in 12 target communities and reduced calls to 911 by
23,000 calls.
And in Hamilton, Missouri citizens are banding together in an
all-out attack on drugs and violence. They are using such
innovations as a Youth Peer Court and conflict mediation
beginning in grade 4 to educate and empower their young people.
We need to share what is working and keep up the pressure.
That's why today, I am announcing that my Administration will
convene a White House leadership conference on adolescent drug
use and violence in January. We will bring together experts from
both inside and outside the Administration, including parents and
teens to highlight local successes so we can build a true
national coalition to combat drugs and violence. You will be
hearing more about this in the coming weeks.
One of the things we'll be discussing at that conference is the
3
role of the media in the fight against drugs. Everyday, our
children are bombarded with media messages that tell them its
cool to drink, smoke cigarettes or do drugs.
Let me remind everyone that, conversely, the media can play an
important role in influencing the attitudes our kids have about
the harmfulness and social unacceptability of using drugs.
One of the best examples of what media can do to help reduce drug
use is the work of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. The
media has donated over $2 billion in support of Partnership anti-
drug messages on television and radio, in print and outdoor
billboards. And Lee Brown has enlisted the support of sports and
television celebrities in a new TV and radio public service
campaign aimed at the nation's youth.
These messages are working to change attitudes and reduce drug
use. But we now need more kids and more parents to see more of
these messages more often. So I am asking the media across this
nation, when it comes to the fight against drugs -- turn up the
volume. You as community leaders have the power to move the
media. So I am asking you to conduct your own media blitz.
Knock on their doors until they open up. Talk to them until they
get it. And stay on them until they make drug prevention a
natural part of their programming day.
In closing, let me say that the battle against substance abuse
and violence must be waged person by person, family by family,
community by community. But it must be backed by all our
efforts. We are doing what we can at the national level -- with
punishment, with working to keep drugs out of the country, with
helping our community-based efforts to promote safe and drug-free
schools, with prevention and treatment. And I will keep fighting
to make sure these efforts are funded.
But I hope all of you will help me in this battle. It's up to
all of us build a drug-free, crime-free America in the 21st
century.
Thank you and God bless you all.
4
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
ANNUAL CONVENTION
COMMUNITY ANTI-DRUG COALITIONS OF AMERICA
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NOVEMBER 2, 1995
[Acknowledgements: Jim Copple, CADCA's National Director; Jim
Burke; Marni Vliet (V-LET), CADCA Chair; Alvah Chapman, CADCA
Founding Chair; Lee Brown; Lori Plank, Trooper Ed Plank's widow;
Patricia Gilbert, Jeff Gardner's mother; Colonel David Mitchell,
head of the Maryland State Troopers]
Thank you, Ms. Plank for the gift of this bracelet for the gift
of your courage. Trooper Plank gave the ultimate gift of his life
in the line of duty. But he and other officers who have made the
supreme sacrifice will not be forgotten. This bracelet and the
others that will be distributed as part of the "Working together
to save lives" campaign will be a constant reminder to me and all
Americans that it is up to each and every one of us to do our
part to stop the senseless killing that is so often the tragic
outcome of illegal drug activity. I want to also commend
Patricia Gilbert for taking a stand to help make sure that no
more children suffer the fate of her son, Jeff, who died after a
tragic incident with drugs this past June.
I want to begin by thanking my good friend Jim Burke and all of
you for standing up for the youth of America. At a time when
many would cripple and even abandon our struggle to save our
children from the ravages of drugs, violence, teen pregnancy and
underage smoking, you have stood firm and refused to back down.
You understand that we will never, never solve the drug and
violence problems of our young people without the commitment and
involvement of every American -- students, parents, educators,
the media -- all of us. It all starts with personal
responsibility. Nothing the government does or your coalitions
do will amount to anything unless every child and every adult in
this country takes personal responsibility for being a good
person, a good citizen, a good parent.
Parents have a special role to play. The best crime prevention
and anti-drug program in this country has always been and still
is good parenting. It's government's job to uphold law and
order, but it's parents' job to teach their children right from
wrong.
I want all of you to know that you do not walk alone. My
Administration, under the leadership of our Director of National
Drug Policy, Lee Brown, is joining many of you in getting out the
urgent message to our teenagers: Stay drug-free. This must be a
constant drumbeat. Everyday, in school, in the media, at home,
we must send our kids one message loud and clear: drug use is
wrong, it is illegal, and it is dangerous.
1
It is clear. We do have a drug problem in this country. But we
can do something about it and we are. My Administration is
tackling this problem from top to bottom, beginning with taking
on the notorious Cali Cartel. The Cali Cartel, which pumped
drugs into America with impunity for years, is now on the run.
After years of operating largely untouched by Colombian law
enforcement, seven of the eight top drug traffickers in the Cali
cocaine cartel were arrested by Colombian authorities during
1995. Investigative activity by U.S. enforcement agencies
provided much of the evidence for the cases against the Cali
kingpins.
But cutting off the supply is only half of the equation. We must
take strong steps right here in America to reduce demand and
punish those who threaten the lives of our children and our
communities. That's why we established the death penalty for
drug kingpins. They should reap what they SOW.
A year ago, with the enactment of the Crime Bill, we all made a
clear statement of personal responsibility to the young people of
America. We pledged to do everything we could to ensure their
safety and provide alternatives to crime and violence. It was
one of my proudest moments as President.
We're putting cops on the beat and getting guns, drugs and kids
off the street. "Three-strikes-you're out" is now the law of the
land. We're taking the strongest stand in history against the
terrible problem of violence against women. That's the way to
build a safe America for the next generation.
And all this is beginning to work. For the first time in a very
long time, the crime rate is down all over this country. But,
now is not the time to turn our backs on this progress. Let me
be clear: this is not about balancing the budget. I am for
balancing the budget. Before I became President we had
quadrupled the debt in 12 years. In the last three years we have
nearly cut the deficit in half from $290 billion in 1992 to
$164 billion today. I am for balancing the budget.
But the purpose of balancing the budget is to lift the burden of
debt from our young people, to create jobs, to strengthen our
economy, to improve the quality of life in the future. We cannot
do that if we decide to balance the budget in ways that undermine
our economy and our values.
That is why I have said repeatedly, we do not have to cut
education, and we must not cut our efforts to reduce the crime
rate, to reduce violence, and to give our children a safer, more
secure future. A balanced budget that puts our children at risk
is not acceptable.
There's another reason we shouldn't walk away from our progress
2
in the fight against drugs and violence. Even with all that we
have achieved, there are two dark clouds hanging over us
rising crime and rising drug use among teenagers.
The Justice Department issued a report recently which showed that
while overall crime is down, violent crime committed by juveniles
is at an all-time high. I have told the Attorney General that my
top priority is the reduction of juvenile violence. We must not
tolerate the killing of an innocent child by gang members simply
because her parents drove down the wrong street. We must not
tolerate the killing of innocent children in school or standing
at bus stops by thugs driving by with assault weapons and
handguns. We must not tolerate the shooting of one youth by
another simply because the killer felt he was shown disrespect.
This is not the America I grew up in. This is not the America
any of us want to live in. And this is not the America we want
to pass on to our children.
It is also true that marijuana use is rising among our young
people. But, it is important to remember that even with these
rising trends, most kids in America are not using drugs or
involved in violent activity. Most kids in America are too busy
going to school and preparing for the future to get caught up in
drugs and violence. Let me say to them, keep up the good work.
You are doing the right thing.
And to the communities out there that are struggling to take back
their streets and keep their kids off of drugs, let me tell you
there is hope. There are communities that are succeeding many
of them because of the work of CADCA. There's the citizens of
Pierce County, Washington who have formed the "Safe Streets
Campaign" to combat illegal drug and gang activity and the
violence that accompanies these ills. Their efforts are making a
difference. They have closed down over 600 drug dealing
locations in 12 target communities and reduced calls to 911 by
23,000 calls.
And in Hamilton, Missouri citizens are banding together in an
all-out attack on drugs and violence. They are using such
innovations as a Youth Peer Court and conflict mediation
beginning in grade 4 to educate and empower their young people.
We need to share what is working and keep up the pressure.
That's why today, I am announcing that my Administration will
convene a White House leadership conference on adolescent drug
use and violence in January. We will bring together experts from
both inside and outside the Administration, including parents and
teens to highlight local successes SO we can build a true
national coalition to combat drugs and violence. You will be
hearing more about this in the coming weeks.
One of the things we'll be discussing at that conference is the
3
role of the media in the fight against drugs. Everyday, our
children are bombarded with media messages that tell them its
cool to drink, smoke cigarettes or do drugs.
Let me remind everyone that, conversely, the media can play an
important role in influencing the attitudes our kids have about
the harmfulness and social unacceptability of using drugs.
One of the best examples of what media can do to help reduce drug
use is the work of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. The
media has donated over $2 billion in support of Partnership anti-
drug messages on television and radio, in print and outdoor
billboards. And Lee Brown has enlisted the support of sports and
television celebrities in a new TV and radio public service
campaign aimed at the nation's youth.
These messages are working to change attitudes and reduce drug
use. But we now need more kids and more parents to see more of
these messages more often. So I am asking the media across this
nation, when it comes to the fight against drugs -- turn up the
volume. You as community leaders have the power to move the
media. So I am asking you to conduct your own media blitz.
Knock on their doors until they open up. Talk to them until they
get it. And stay on them until they make drug prevention a
natural part of their programming day.
In closing, let me say that the battle against substance abuse
and violence must be waged person by person, family by family,
community by community. But it must be backed by all our
efforts. We are doing what we can at the national level -- with
punishment, with working to keep drugs out of the country, with
helping our community-based efforts to promote safe and drug-free
schools, with prevention and treatment. And I will keep fighting
to make sure these efforts are funded.
But I hope all of you will help me in this battle. It's up to
all of us build a drug-free, crime-free America in the 21st
century.
Thank you and God bless you all.
4
And that's why I rejected
the Sentencing Commission proposals this week that
would have dramatically reduced the penalties for crack
in the name of equalizing penalties for crack and
powder cocaine.
- 10 -
I am not going to let anyone who peddles drugs get the
idea that the cost of doing business is going down. As
I said in a statement on Monday, crack distribution and
the violence it fosters has a devastating impact on
communities across America, especially inner-city
communities. Tough penalties for crack distribution are
required because of the effect on individuals and
families, related gang activity, turf battles, and other
violence.
- 11 -
Current law does produce a substantial disparity
between sentences for crack as compared to equal
amounts of powder cocaine. some adjustment is
warranted and the bill I signed the other day directs the
Sentencing Commission to undertake additional reviews
of these issues and to report back with new
recommendations.
- 12 -
I have also asked the Attorney General to immediately
develop enforcement strategies to ensure that those who
distribute powder that is turned into crack are punished
as severely as those who distribute the crack itself.
- 13 -
And that's why I rejected
the Sentencing Commission proposals this week that
would have dramatically reduced the penalties for crack
in the name of equalizing penalties for crack and
powder cocaine.
- 10 -
I am not going to let anyone who peddles drugs get the
idea that the cost of doing business is going down. As
I said in a statement on Monday, crack distribution and
the violence it fosters has a devastating impact on
communities across America, especially inner-city
communities. Tough penalties for crack distribution are
required because of the effect on individuals and
families, related gang activity, turf battles, and other
violence.
- - 11 -
Current law does produce a substantial disparity
between sentences for crack as compared to equal
amounts of powder cocaine. some adjustment is
warranted and the bill I signed the other day directs the
Sentencing Commission to undertake additional reviews
of these issues and to report back with new
recommendations.
- 12 -
I have also asked the Attorney General to immediately
develop enforcement strategies to ensure that those who
distribute powder that is turned into crack are punished
as severely as those who distribute the crack itself.
- 13 -
And that's why I rejected
the Sentencing Commission proposals this week that
would have dramatically reduced the penalties for crack
in the name of equalizing penalties for crack and
powder cocaine.
- 10 -
I am not going to let anyone who peddles drugs get the
idea that the cost of doing business is going down. As
I said in a statement on Monday, crack distribution and
the violence it fosters has a devastating impact on
communities across America, especially inner-city
communities. Tough penalties for crack distribution are
required because of the effect on individuals and
families, related gang activity, turf battles, and other
violence.
- 11 -
Current law does produce a substantial disparity
between sentences for crack as compared to equal
amounts of powder cocaine. some adjustment is
warranted and the bill I signed the other day directs the
Sentencing Commission to undertake additional reviews
of these issues and to report back with new
recommendations.
- 12 -
I have also asked the Attorney General to immediately
develop enforcement strategies to ensure that those who
distribute powder that is turned into crack are punished
as severely as those who distribute the crack itself.
- 13 -