Senate Resolution No. 2677

BY: Senator THOMAS

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        October 23-31, 2020, as Red Ribbon Week in the State
        of New York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official weeks that are dedicated to increasing awareness of serious and
important issues impacting citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this  Legislative  Body  to  memorialize
Governor  Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 23-31, 2020, as Red Ribbon
Week in the State of New York, in conjunction  with  the  observance  of
National Red Ribbon Week; and

  WHEREAS, In 1980, The National Family Partnership was established as
a  grassroots,  nonprofit  organization  by a group of concerned parents
committed to playing an active role in  drug  prevention  education  and
advocacy; and

  WHEREAS,   The  National  Family  Partnership  organized  the  first
Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign after the murder  of  DEA  Agent  Enrique
Camarena;  parents  and  youth  in  communities across the country began
wearing  Red  Ribbons  to  represent  their  commitment  to   increasing
awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in the country;
and

  WHEREAS,  Enrique  Camarena  believed  that  one person could make a
difference; this belief was used as the model at the start  of  the  Red
Ribbon  Campaign  and  it  continues  to  be  the belief as the campaign
reaches the lives of millions of American children and families; and

  WHEREAS, Under the  leadership  of  President  Peggy  B.  Sapp,  the
National  Red  Ribbon  Campaign has become an annual national event that
acts as a major force in raising awareness and mobilizing communities in
the fight against drugs; and

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to  recognize  Red
Ribbon  Week  in  order  to raise awareness regarding the serious issues
surrounding drugs today and to promote the betterment of drug  education
and prevention in New York State and beyond; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 23-31, 2020, as
Red Ribbon Week in the State  of  New  York,  in  conjunction  with  the
observance of National Red Ribbon Week; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the  State  of
New York.