Cord Byrd: “I recently learned of an extremely alarming riot which occurred on the campus of Michigan State University. On May 2…”

“I recently learned of an extremely alarming riot which occurred on the campus of Michigan State University. On May 2, 1998, nearly three thousand students abandoned their dorm rooms and various other corners of the university's massive campus to protest a university decision to end drinking at Munn Field, a popular campus spot where students gather before and after football games. Outraged students tore through a fence surrounding the field, thereafter charging into downtown East Lansing, home to the university, to set ablaze one of the area's busiest intersections. Police officers were pelted with flying bottles, rocks, and bricks, and were only able to quell the scores of protesting students with shots of tear gas. Michigan State University does not stand alone. Both Washington State University and Plymouth State College in New Hampshire have experienced similar protests. Mr. President, our Nation has a serious problem, which only continues to worsen with each passing day, yet, we in Congress have all but ignored this epidemic plaguing our nation's young people. Rather, we have stood on this floor ranting about the pernicious effects of tobacco, while its evil twin continues to rampage across college campuses throughout the country. I support the efforts we have undertaken to crack down on youth use of tobacco, but is it not time, I ask, to broaden the equally staggering problem of alcohol abuse among our young people?”