093_HR0169

 
                                     LRB093 11240 HSS 12502 r

 1                          HOUSE RESOLUTION

 2        WHEREAS,  Brandon  Silveria,  who  at  17  was  seriously
 3    injured in an alcohol-related crash in  his  native  northern
 4    California,  now tours the country full-time on behalf of the
 5    Century Council to educate students about the dangers of teen
 6    drinking and driving; and

 7        WHEREAS, The Century Council, funded by America's leading
 8    distillers, is an organization dedicated to fighting  alcohol
 9    abuse,  focusing  on  drunk  driving  and  underage  drinking
10    problems; and

11        WHEREAS,  Project  29  Inc.  invited  Brandon Silveria to
12    bring his message to the four high schools along Route 29  in
13    Christian and Sangamon counties; and

14        WHEREAS,  Since  becoming  spokespersons  for the Century
15    Council, Brandon Silveria and his father have addressed  more
16    than  250,000  parents  and students in New York, California,
17    Maine,  Oregon,  Texas,  Nebraska,  New   Mexico,   Michigan,
18    Florida,    Georgia,   Missouri,   Virginia,   Massachusetts,
19    Connecticut and the District of Columbia; and

20        WHEREAS, In addition to local  media  coverage  in  every
21    city  Mr. Silveria visits, his story has been featured on the
22    nationally syndicated television programs, "Rescue  911"  and
23    "Leeza"; and

24        WHEREAS,  During  his  presentations, Mr. Silveria shares
25    the tragic story of his 1987 alcohol-related  accident  which
26    left  him  in  a coma for over two-and-one-half months and in
27    rehabilitation for several years; and

28        WHEREAS, His presentations continue to  receive  standing
29    ovations  and  pledges to never drink and drive from students
30    across the country; on May 25, 2001, Mr. Silveria reached his
31    one-millionth student with his message; and
 
                            -2-      LRB093 11240 HSS 12502 r
 1        WHEREAS, During the week of April 1, 2003,  Mr.  Silveria
 2    will  tell  his  story  at  several  schools  in the State of
 3    Illinois,  beginning  with  Taylorville   High   School   and
 4    continuing  with  Rochester, Edinburg, and Pana high achools,
 5    the four high schools located  along  Illinois  Route  29  in
 6    Christian and Sangamon counties; therefore, be it

 7        RESOLVED   BY   THE   HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  THE
 8    NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,  that
 9    we commend Century Council spokesman Brandon Silveria for his
10    contributions in educating students about the dangers of teen
11    drinking  and  driving  and  in  honor  of  his contributions
12    proclaim April 1 through April 7, 2003 Brandon Silveria  Week
13    in the State of Illinois; and be it further

14        RESOLVED,  That  suitable  copies  of  this resolution be
15    presented to Brandon Silveria and Project 29 Inc.