Dateline: December 27, 2001

Gramm's office honors Donley sheriff's office   

Cheryl Johnson, Clarendon Enterprise

Matt Schaefer, regional director for Senator Phil Gramm, met with the Donley County Sheriff’s Department last Thursday to honor them for their effort in reducing drunk driving in the community.

Schaefer presented a certificate from Gramm in appreciation of their work.

“The holidays should be a time for families, not tragedies,” Gramm said. “Drunk driving takes the lives not only of those doing the drinking, but also those of thousands of innocent people each year, and the societal costs are staggering.

“Thanks to the hard work of these law enforcement officers who are working every day to keep our streets safe, we’re stopping those who break the law; but more importantly, we’re getting the message out: Don’t drink and drive,” Gramm said.

In the last year, Texas raised the bar on drunken driving, reducing the blood alcohol content at which someone is legally drunk to .08.  The federal government awarded funds to the state to help enforce the law.

“I am proud of the men and women who are working hard to enforce these new laws because they’re making the streets safer for all of us,” Gramm said.  “I urge all Texans to join me in thanking these officers who do so much for so many.”