ALEX OTTE MADD’S YOUNGEST NATIONAL PRESIDENT MAKING STRIDES TO ELIMINATE DRUNK AND DRUGGED DRIVING T he last year, and the first half of my term as National President, has been one that will be written about in history! MADD’s victims, survivors, volunteers and supporters came together to achieve something that I thought would never happen in my lifetime.
As I traveled across the country in the second half of the year to meet so many victims, survivors and families who have been impacted by this 100% preventable crime, I am in awe. I am amazed and indebted to all of you, who have been willing to show up, on the good days and the bad, to turn your passion into purpose and to fight for a world in which our stories won’t become anyone else’s story. Thank you. Thank you to all of the MADD staff for your dedication to this organization and this mission. We know that despite the constraints of the pandemic, drunk and drugged driving did not stop, but only increased and it felt as though our work was never done. Regardless of your role within the organization, you are an integral part of helping us reach a day with No More Victims. To our friends and those who have been impacted by drunk and drugged driving, my heart is with you. I want to take this opportunity to remind you that you are not alone, and MADD is here to support you. It has been my true honor and pleasure to meet so many of you, virtually or in person, over the last year, to hear your stories and get to know your loved ones through you, and to carry them in my heart as we fight for a day when there will truly be NO MORE VICTIMS®.
My first year as President started out slow, as the world was still grappling with how things should look during the COVID-19 pandemic, and much of what I participated in was done virtually. I was continually impressed by the way our organization was able to pivot: to find ways to come together and support one another and those we serve, to advocate for legislation across the country, and even testify in support of many bills in the states, albeit over Zoom and in the form of letters and phone calls. Our organization proved our commitment to serving victims and their families, and to bringing a final end to the devastation of drinking and driving. Over the past year, our volunteers came together to create a ‘war room’ to achieve what many thought would be too difficult of a fight. I always said that I would fight for the rest of my life to see a day when there would be no more victims of drunk and drugged driving, but I didn’t believe that it would come in my lifetime. Now, because of the impaired driving technology provision in the Infrastructure Bill signed into law November 15, and because of each of you, I do. Thank you.
I always said that I would fight for the rest of my life to see a day when there would be no more victims of drunk and drugged driving
December 2021 5
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