12/1/1982 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR PROMOTION OF STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF PRESENT DRINKING AGE The Board reviewed the following information from the Indian River Baptist Association: RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE REPORT RESOLUTION: PROPOSING THE RAISING OF THE LEGAL DRINKING AGE IN FLORIDA Whereas, teenage alcoholism is increasing at an unprecedented rate in our state and nation with an estimated 5009000 adolescent alcoholics in the United States; and Whereas, at age 19, the present legal drinking age, an individual is still in a critical stage of personality development and of social, emotional, and mental growth; and Whereas, with the legal drinking age of 19 years alcoholic beverages are readily available to children ages 12 thru 19 years through their older teenage acquaintances; and Whereas, virtually all of the estimated 1210001,000 alcoholics in the United States began experimenting with alcohol during their adolescent and even pre -adolescent years; and Whereas, 60 percent of highway fatalities involving persons age 16-24 are alcohol related; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED that the Indian River Baptist Association urge the County Councils of the Tri -County area to promote the strict enforcement of the present legal drinking age and that a copy of this resolution be sent to -the County Councils of the Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin Counties; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that individual members of our churches be en•- couraged to address the respective legislators calling for an increase of the legal drinking age in Florida to 21 years; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Florida Baptist State Convention Resolution Committee encouraging a similar resolution to be brought before the meeting of the Florida Baptist Convention in Tampa, Florida, November 15,16,1T, 1982; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our churches and individual members be urged to make every effort to promote healthy Christian attitude and life-styles in our home,; and communities that will be the strongest deterrent against alcohol and other substances abuse among the youth of our communities, and to offer through our churches' ministry, programs that will meet the needs of our young people who are presently and misguidely seeking to fill those needs through alcohol and other substance abuse. Mo,ion to adopt was moved, seconded and carried. 25 INDIAN RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Resolutions Committee Theresa Buss, Chairman Stan Sanford Gary Towmsend P U�8