Joe Cunningham: “I rise to thank the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Rogers, for his outstanding work on the fiscal year 1997…”

“I rise to thank the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Rogers, for his outstanding work on the fiscal year 1997 Appropriations bill for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary. This bill places a priority on helping State and local governments address the most serious problems that affect my constituents each and every day: illegal immigration, drug trade, and drug abuse. Every American should be disturbed by the fact that, after a decade of declining drug use rates among school children, the last 3 years have seen a sharp increase in drug abuse. What has caused this alarming increase? I say it's a lack of leadership. In the 1980's, under the leadership of President and Mrs. Reagan, our communities started an effort to Just Say No to drug and drug dealers. Every American youngster learned that it was cool to stay off drugs and away from drug dealers. What do we hear from this White House? It sounds like Just Say I Don't Know. Days after taking office, President Clinton worked to slash the Office of National Drug Control Policy, essentially waiving the white flag in the war on drugs. This bill, which I am proud to support, jump starts the stalled war on drugs.”