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Navajo Nation President Signs Historic Proclamation with MADD
Largest Indian Reservation Joins MADD to Fight Drunk Driving and Underage Drinking

Irving, TX (February 24, 2003) - President Joe Shirley Jr. of the Navajo Nation, the largest Indian reservation in the country, signed a historic proclamation today to join Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in support of its mission to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.  MADD National President Wendy J. Hamilton attended the proclamation signing ceremony to kick-off the Navajo Nation's "Working for a Safer Nation" awareness and education week in Crownpoint, New Mexico, an hour northeast of Gallup.

"I know firsthand the devastation of losing a loved one to a drunk driving crash.  My teenage daughter was killed over a year ago, and I live with the heartache that she didn't have to die," says Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr.  "I am calling on the Navajo people to make sure these needless, preventable tragedies don't happen to anyone else.  It's time we put an end to drunk driving in our Nation." 

President Shirley and his wife Vikki's XX year-old daughter was killed [place & date] when a drunk driver [more info].  Vikki Shirley recently formed the first MADD chapter on the Navajo Nation in Arizona located in Window Rock.
In 2002, XX people were killed on Navajo highways in New Mexico, and XXX other were injured. 

"MADD is dedicated to reaching out to every culture, race and ethnicity as drunk driving knows no borders or boundaries," says MADD National President Wendy J. Hamilton.  "We are heartened and honored that the Navajo Nation is making an historic commitment to partner with MADD to end alcohol-related tragedies on their land."

MADD's Crownpoint Chapter was founded in December and is the first chapter established on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico.  The chapter developer, Alberta Becenti, organized the "Working for a Safer Nation" week to raise community awareness of MADD and its mission through educational forums, a candlelight vigil and handing out red ribbons.  Alberta contacted MADD's state office in New Mexico about getting involved after her personal experience as a bystander to a wreck outside the Navajo Nation's Crownpoint Hospital where she works.

Becenti remembers the day, "I was leaving work and all of the sudden I witness a terrible crash right in front of my eyes.  After the debris settled, I saw children badly injured just lying on the roadway.  Those are images I will never forget.  I later found out that a drunk driver caused that collision, and it was then that I knew I had to do something.   As adults, it's our responsibility to protect our children and our community from drunk driving.  We all have to do our part to keep the Navaho highways safe by never drinking and driving."

In addition to combating drunk driving, the Navajo Nation is also resolved to tackling underage drinking through several of MADD's youth programs. 
* Protecting You/Protecting Me - The Navajo Nation held its first training on MADD's elementary school alcohol education curriculum Protecting You/Protecting Me.  Last month, 22 teachers and counselors attended the training to teach the scientific research-based curriculum in Navajo schools.  Lessons include the harmful affects alcohol has on the brain and what to do if riding in a car with a drunk driver, among other things. 
* Multimedia Shows - Starting in March, MADD will present its multimedia shows to junior high and high school students in 40 schools across the Navajo Nation in New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.  The shows encourage young people to make smart, healthy decisions and to consider the consequences of their actions.
* Youth In Action - MADD's high school youth activist program, Youth In Action, will conduct training in April for Native American students, including Navajo teens, wanting to take the lead in limiting alcohol access to youth in their community.  Working with local law enforcement, teens conduct alcohol purchase surveys, shoulder tap surveys and compliance checks.
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MADD Press Release           Page 2

New Mexico reported 214 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in 2001 representing 45 percent of all traffic deaths -- above the national average of 41 percent.  The state's DWI fatality totals are presumably higher since New Mexico's 23 Indian tribes and pueblos' alcohol-related traffic crash statistics are not included in the DWI numbers released by the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

"I hope that the standard and example set by the Navajo Nation will encourage other tribes and pueblos across New Mexico to work with MADD to make a real difference in their communities.  Whether it's through providing free services and support to victims and survivors of a drunk driving crash or offering alcohol awareness youth programs to schools, together we can save lives and change lives," says Terry Huertaz, MADD New Mexico executive director.  "I hope that MADD chapters are established in every Native American nation and pueblo as evidence that drunk driving crashes will not be tolerated in New Mexico."

Founded in 1980, MADD is a grassroots non-profit organization with more than 600 affiliates and approximately 2 million members and supporters nationwide.  For more information, visit www.madd.org. 

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