WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org), a national not-for-profit organization funded by distillers that leads the fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking, recognized six Representatives and three Senators with its annual Leadership Awards. In 2015 these members of congress showed an outstanding commitment to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking in their districts and states.
The members of Congress who were honored this year are:
• Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)
• Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
• Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV)
• Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL)
• Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler (R-WA)
• Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT)
• Rep. Richard Nolan (D-MN)
• Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)
• Rep. GT Thompson (R-PA)
Throughout 2015, these members of Congress encouraged their constituents to talk about the important issues of underage drinking and teen driver safety. They advocated for legislation to stop impaired driving and provided national leadership on the issue. They highlighted the fact that parents have the most influence on their kids' decisions and made sure that parents have the tools they need to start conversations with their kids about the dangers of drinking alcohol underage, as well as drinking alcohol and driving.
"We are proud to honor these members of Congress who work to keep our kids and roads safe," said Ralph Blackman, President and CEO of Responsibility.org. "We can't thank them enough for their dedication and leadership to prevent drunk driving and underage drinking by sending a clear and consistent message that it is illegal and will not be tolerated. Drunk driving and underage drinking have declined, but we still have a long way to go. We look forward to expanding our relationship with each of them and continuing to save lives together in the future."
About the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility
The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org), is a national not-for-profit that leads the fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking and is funded by the following distillers: Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.; Beam Suntory Inc.; Brown-Forman; Constellation Brands, Inc.; DIAGEO; Edrington; Hood River Distillers, Inc.; and Pernod Ricard USA. For more than 24 years, Responsibility.org has transformed countless lives through programs that bring individuals, families and communities together to guide a lifetime of conversations around alcohol responsibility and offering proven strategies to stop impaired driving. To learn more, please visit us at www.responsibility.org.