08 LC
25 5287
House
Resolution 1949
By:
Representatives Smyre of the
132nd,
Hugley of the
133rd,
Smith of the
131st,
Buckner of the
130th,
and Smith of the
129th
A
RESOLUTION
Commending
the drugfighters and drugfighting groups in Columbus; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
illegal drugs and associated crime can destroy families and neighborhoods of all
economic and social strata; and
WHEREAS,
when several Columbus neighborhoods became infested with drug dealing
in
1994, neighbors wanted to take their streets back. In collaboration with the Columbus Police
Department, local businessman Ronzell Buckner brought national drugfighters Herman Wrice and Andy Garr to Columbus; and
1994, neighbors wanted to take their streets back. In collaboration with the Columbus Police
Department, local businessman Ronzell Buckner brought national drugfighters Herman Wrice and Andy Garr to Columbus; and
WHEREAS,
through ongoing targeted antidrug marches and "camp outs," BAD
(Bellwood
Against Drugs), CAD (Columbus Against Drugs), CHAD (Carver Heights Against Drugs),
DFOC (Drug Fighters Of Columbus), EHAD (East Highland Against Drugs), LGAD (Liberty Garden Against Drugs), PHAD (Peabody Homes Against Drugs), ORAD (Operation
Restoration Against Drugs), SCAD (South Columbus Against Drugs), SWAD (Southwestview Against Drugs), TVAD (Teens Against Drugs), and WOTMAD (Winterfield On The Move Against Drugs) stopped street level drug trafficking and turned their neighborhoods around; several became catalysts for community and economic development, spawning youth entrepreneurship, a "Reclaim Our Children" after-school program, youth baseball and football teams, and attracting new home development; and
Against Drugs), CAD (Columbus Against Drugs), CHAD (Carver Heights Against Drugs),
DFOC (Drug Fighters Of Columbus), EHAD (East Highland Against Drugs), LGAD (Liberty Garden Against Drugs), PHAD (Peabody Homes Against Drugs), ORAD (Operation
Restoration Against Drugs), SCAD (South Columbus Against Drugs), SWAD (Southwestview Against Drugs), TVAD (Teens Against Drugs), and WOTMAD (Winterfield On The Move Against Drugs) stopped street level drug trafficking and turned their neighborhoods around; several became catalysts for community and economic development, spawning youth entrepreneurship, a "Reclaim Our Children" after-school program, youth baseball and football teams, and attracting new home development; and
WHEREAS,
the drugfighting success of several Columbus neighborhoods inspired dramatic
community and economic transformation helping to give birth to a new name for
the Neighborhoods Against Drugs effort, Turn Around America–The Wrice
Process Movement; and
WHEREAS,
the work that the drugfighters, along with the Columbus Police Department,
Sheriff´s Department, Marshal´s Office and the city, have done over
the past 13 years is nothing short of phenomenal and represents a remarkable
partnership of community, law enforcement, and city government; and
WHEREAS,
among the over 400 Turn Around America–Wrice Process drugfighting
communities in the United States, Columbus has many drugfighting firsts,
including: first national drugfighters reunion; first with three different law
enforcement entities involved; first to include code inspectors and pardons and
parole officers on marches; first with active drugfighters over 80; first in
city councilors involved for the longest period; first to have drugfighters
involved in redesigning public housing into a model mixed income community;
first Antidrug World Series Baseball Tournament; first in members named to
National Drugfighters Hall of Fame; and first in number of new homes built in
former drug area; and
WHEREAS,
in areas where drug dealers are trying to take hold again, drugfighters have
launched the Turn Around Columbus–Wrice Process Campaign, to give
drugfighters/drugfighting groups the opportunity to focus on hot spots to stop
drug trafficking and turn around or take away hiding spots and opportunities for
trouble; and
WHEREAS,
the Columbus drugfighting efforts have received support from many businesses and
organizations, several of which have shown outstanding support, including George
Washington Carver High School, New Bethel Seventh Day Adventists Church,
Muhammad Mosque #96, Masjid An-Nur Mosque, Charlie Company volunteers (2nd
Battalion 58th Infantry Regiment from Ft. Benning), East Columbus Boys &
Girls Club, Davis Broadcasting, Project Rebound, Citizen´s Trust,
Alexander´s Grocery, Williamson´s Restaurant, and Skipper´s
Seafood; and
WHEREAS,
many Columbus drugfighters have helped provide Turn Around America–Wrice
Process training for other neighborhoods in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida,
and Texas; and
WHEREAS,
because of their willingness to take a stand and their unending, uncompromising
work in all weather and under all conditions Columbus drugfighters are true
American heroes and Columbus is becoming a national leader in transforming
neighborhoods through drugfighting.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body commend the Columbus drugfighters for their outstanding leadership,
tenacity, commitment, and courage in taking their neighborhoods back from the
terrorism of drugs and giving children and youth a positive future.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body also commend the Columbus
Police Department, Sheriff´s Department, Marshal´s Office, and Mayor
and City Council for their long-term support and commitment to the Columbus
drugfighters.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to each of the
drugfighting groups and the Columbus Police Department, Sheriff´s
Department, Marshal´s Office, and Mayor and City Council.