SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 536

WHEREAS, The dangers of drunk driving and underage drinking are issues of concern to every Texan; and

WHEREAS, While concerted law enforcement and education efforts have done much to curb drunk driving over the past few decades, more than 10,000 alcohol-related deaths still occur on our nation's roadways each year; and

WHEREAS, A total of 1,468 Texans died in drunk driving crashes in 2017; although this number is above the national average, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities overall have been on the decline at both the state and national levels, and our state has seen a 7.5 percent decrease in such fatalities among drivers under the age of 21 in the last decade alone; and

WHEREAS, The State of Texas has worked to reduce the incidence of impaired driving through the use of DWI courts, law enforcement training, No Refusal campaigns, ignition interlock devices, alcoholism treatment, and other lifesaving countermeasures; and

WHEREAS, Underage drinking, which continues to be a persistent problem despite a decline to record-low levels in 2018, is an area of particular focus for our state; the number of Texans between the ages of 12 and 20 reporting alcohol consumption in the past month is now around 17 percent, a decrease of 36 percent since 2008, and the continued cooperation of state law enforcement agencies, alcohol awareness organizations, and responsible parents can play an instrumental role in ensuring that our youth avoid impaired driving; and

WHEREAS, Research shows that parents can help prevent underage drinking and alcohol abuse by beginning conversations with their children about alcohol use at an early age and by continuing to speak with them about the issue throughout childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood; with the help of Responsibility.org and other organizations, 73 percent of teenagers now identify parents as the leading influence in their decisions regarding alcohol, representing a 33 percent increase since 1991; and

WHEREAS, The recognition of April as Alcohol Responsibility Month offers a welcome opportunity to call attention to the work that must be done to further reduce the tragic impact of drunk driving and underage drinking in Texas; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby recognize April 2019 as Alcohol Responsibility Month and encourage all Texans to make responsible decisions regarding the consumption of alcohol and to support efforts to reduce drunk driving and underage drinking.

Hancock

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 4, 2019.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate