Hundreds of MADD Supporters Meet in St. Louis on Sept. 6-8
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Activists Focus on MADD's new frontier: the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 6, 2007; On the heels of Labor Day weekend -- a holiday that traditionally brings large numbers of drunk drivers -- nearly 500 Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) supporters have convened in St. Louis to kick off their annual national conference today at the Renaissance St. Louis Grand and Suites Hotel 800 Washington Ave, St. Louis, Mo. The conference theme is, "Gateway to a New Frontier: A Nation Without Drunk Driving." The focus of the conference is MADD's new Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving and the annual Victim/Survivor Tribute, along with discussions on the prevention of underage drinking and more than 50 concurrent training sessions.
The national conference unites members of MADD affiliates across the country to share ideas and learn more about methods to eliminate drunk driving, serve victims/survivors and prevent underage drinking. With the new Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, the gathering will highlight techniques and technologies that can eliminate drunk driving, and will honor law enforcement personnel who are the key to achieving that goal.
Leading the conference and the charge to eliminate drunk driving is MADD dad Glynn Birch whose 21-month old son, Courtney, was killed by a drunk driver in 1988. "If the repeat drunk driver that killed my son would have had an ignition interlock on his vehicle, my tragedy would not have occurred," said Birch. He is passionate about the Campaign which embraces innovative steps such as mandated ignition interlock systems to prevent a drunk driver from driving after drinking.
The Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving has four elements: full implementation of alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, intensive high-visibility law enforcement, development of advanced vehicle technologies to prevent drunk driving and grassroots support led by MADD and its 400+ affiliates.
"The heart of MADD has always been - and will always be - the victim/survivors that we represent and serve," he added. "We believe that one of the best services that we can offer victims is to ensure that no more families face the devastating ripple effects of drunk driving. MADD's Campaign gives all families real hope for a future with no drunk driving."
Birch speaks at the Victim/Survivor Tribute on Thursday night that honors and celebrates the lives of those killed and injured due to drunk driving. The annual Tribute includes a slideshow featuring photographs of loved ones and is accompanied by music, poetry readings and inspirational messages.
Other conference highlights include:
- The 5th annual Media Awards Luncheon on Friday where MADD will
recognize excellence in journalism that advances its mission to stop
drunk driving, serve victims of this violent crime and prevent
underage drinking.
- A mock Town Hall Meeting on Saturday morning will provide a glimpse
into the importance of the 21 Minimum Drinking Age Law.
- A demonstration of a typical DUI Trial that will include officer
testimony, the standardized field sobriety test, direct and cross
examinations, standards of proof, common drunk driving defenses and
courtroom procedures.
- At Saturday night's annual President's Awards dinner, MADD leaders
will honor MADD activists and offices for their outstanding work to
advance MADD's lifesaving mission.
The 2007 MADD National Conference sponsors are Ford Motor Company and the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). OVC helped to make it possible for law enforcement nationwide to attend the conference and assisted with MADD's victim/survivor tribute. Additionally, CDR Fundraising sponsored break refreshments for conference participants. MADD's 5th Annual Media Awards program is sponsored by Nationwide Insurance and Volkswagen of America, Inc. Birch said, "MADD is very grateful for the outstanding sponsors that so generously support our lifesaving work."
Each year, nearly 13,500 people are killed in traffic crashes involving a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or above and nearly 17,500 people have died in alcohol-related traffic crashes. In Missouri, there were 380 drunk driving fatalities and 500 alcohol-related traffic crashes.
About MADD
MADD has helped save more than 330,000 lives since its founding 1980. With approximately 400 offices nationwide, licensees in Australia, Canada, Japan, Puerto Rico and Sweden and 2 million members and supporters, MADD is the premier grassroots organization working to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. For more information, visit www.madd.org or call 1-800-GET-MADD.
MADD CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES
Thursday, Sept. 6 Opening Dinner: Where the Spirit of MADD
takes Flight - Majestic Ballroom
E & D - 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Fly on the wings of MADD's spirit with an
uplifting tribute to MADD volunteers and
law enforcement partners. These
innovators embody the spirit of MADD who
have blazed new trails in their dedication
to save lives and prevent injuries.
Officers in attendance are encouraged to
wear their uniform to this dinner that is
in their honor.
Speakers: Glynn R. Birch, MADD National
President Jim Champagne, Executive
Director, Louisiana Highway Safety
Commission, Former Chairman of Governors
Highway Safety Association
Thursday, Sept. 6 Victim/Survivor Tribute: A Celebration
of Life Roberts Orpheum Theater 8:00 p.m.
To celebrate the lives of those killed and
injured in drunk driving crashes and to
help comfort victims/survivors, MADD
Victim Services will host its annual
Victim/Survivor Tribute that include a
slideshow featuring photographs of loved
ones and is accompanied by music, poetry
readings and inspirational messages.
This special event will be held at the
Roberts Orpheum Theater, which is located
across the street from the Renaissance
St. Louis Grand & Suites Hotel at the
corner of 9th Street and St. Charles.
Immediately following the tribute, a
reception will be held at the Renaissance
St. Louis Grand & Suites Hotel near the
Wall of Honor. Punch and cookies will be
served.
Speaker: Glynn R. Birch, MADD National
President
Friday, Sept. 7 MADD Media Awards Luncheon
Majestic Ballroom E & D - 11:45
A moving magazine article or poignant news
segment can help alter public attitudes
and increase community awareness about
drunk driving and underage drinking
issues. The media has long been a critical
partner to MADD's success and that is why
we celebrate excellence in journalism at
our annual Media Awards Luncheon. Join us
in honoring the best of the best.
Speakers: Deborah Duncan, KHOU-TV, Houston
& MADD National Board
Paul Folkemer, MADD Chairman of the Board
Glynn R. Birch, MADD National President
Saturday, Sept. 8 Breakfast Program: Defending the 21
Drinking Age Law:
A Town Hall Discussion
Majestic Ballroom E & D - 8 a.m.
This mock Town Hall Meeting provides a
glimpse into the facts behind the 21
Minimum Drinking Age Law.
Speakers: Glynn R. Birch, MADD National
President Deborah Duncan, KHOU-TV, Houston
& MADD National Board
Brian Demers, MADD National Board,
20-year-old MIT student Jeffrey Levy, MADD
National Board
Saturday, Sept. 8 MADD's Presidential Ragtime Ball -
6:00 p.m.
Majestic Ballroom E & D
Put on your dancing shoes for St. Louis
is the birthplace of Ragtime music -- the
first truly American musical genre. But
the music is just the backdrop to the
celebration and recognition of MADD's 2007
National President's Awards winners. Join
in honoring these remarkable people while
listening to the upbeat tunes that helped
set the stage for America's musical
renaissance.
Speaker: Glynn R. Birch, MADD National
President