Byron Dorgan: “I came here today to speak about the constitutional amendment to balance the budget, especially the Reid amendment on…”

“I came here today to speak about the constitutional amendment to balance the budget, especially the Reid amendment on Social Security. Two members of my family have been killed by drunk drivers. I expect there is not anyone in this Chamber who has not received a call to tell them a loved one, a neighbor, a relative, or a close acquaintance has been in a tragic accident and has been killed because of a drunk driver. It is unforgivable in this country that today, in February 1995, there are still nearly 10 States in which a person can get behind a wheel of a car, grab the neck of a fifth of whiskey, put the key in the ignition, drive off and drink, and it is perfectly legal. There ought not to be one instance, anywhere in America, where it should be legal to drink and drive at the same time. I have tried for 5 years and will try until I get it done to prescribe all across this country one simple proposal: Alcohol and automobiles do not mix. Alcohol turns automobiles into instruments of murder.”