MADD and Chrysler Group Launch 21-City Campaign to Educate Teens and Parents on Underage Drinking Prevention
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 14 -- In celebration of the 21st anniversary of the lifesaving 21 Minimum Drinking Age Act and the 21st birthday of the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan minivans, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Chrysler Group launched a 21-city tour, "21 Turns 21: Lifesaving Milestones." Chrysler Group donated 21 Chrysler and Dodge minivans to MADD to help expand its lifesaving education programs for youth.
"As our nation celebrates the 21st anniversary of this important -- and lifesaving -- legislation, we know that amid the celebrating there is much more work to be done," said Wendy J. Hamilton, MADD national president. "The 21 minivan tour to 21 cities will help reach more teens with positive health and safety messages at a time when the pressures and celebrations of prom and graduation season are at an all time high."
"Thanks to the enforcement of this '21 Law,' an estimated nearly 21,000 lives have been saved. That's a number worth celebrating," said Eric Ridenour, Executive Vice President, Product Development, Chrysler Group. "In celebration of the 21st birthday of Chrysler's invention of the minivan, we hope our donation of 21 Chrysler and Dodge minivans bolsters MADD in their efforts to educate teens on the dangers of underage drinking and toward the goal of many, many more lives saved."
"21 Turns 21: Lifesaving Milestones" Tour Schedule: * Washington, D.C. - April 13, 2005 * New York, N.Y. - April 14, 2005 * Philadelphia, Pa. - April 14, 2005 * Pittsburgh, Pa. - April 15, 2005 * Cleveland, Ohio - April 15, 2005 * Detroit, Mich. - April 18, 2005 * Chicago, Ill. - April 19, 2005 * Milwaukee, Wis. - April 19, 2005 * St. Louis, Mo. - April 20, 2005 * Nashville, Tenn. - April 21, 2005 * Memphis, Tenn. - April 21, 2005 * Birmingham, Ala. - April 22, 2005 * Montgomery, Ala. - April 22, 2005 * Miami, Fla. - April 25, 2005 * Tampa, Fla. - April 26, 2005 * Houston, Texas - April 28, 2005 * Dallas, Texas - April 29, 2005 * Phoenix, Ariz. - May 2, 2005 * San Diego, Calif. - May 3, 2005 * Los Angeles, Calif. - May 4, 2005 * Sacramento, Calif. - May 5, 2005
MADD worked to pass the 21 drinking age law in 1984 and continues to advocate for underage drinking prevention support nationwide through its numerous educational programs and legislative efforts in partnership with many other health and safety organizations. With over half of all fatal car crashes on typical prom weekends involving alcohol (NHTSA 2005), this program is timed to ensure a safe, memorable prom and graduation season for students across the country.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: Additional information and news about the "21 Turns 21: Lifesaving Milestones" tour can be found at http://www.madd.org/21 or visit Chrysler Group at http://www.chryslergroup.daimlerchrysler.com . Additional information and news from DaimlerChrysler is available on the Internet at http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com