Speaker Hastert Appoints Granger to his Drug Task Force

Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) announced today the appointments to The Speaker's Drug Task Force and has tapped Congresswoman Kay Granger (TX-12) to serve on this select group.

Congresswoman Granger says, "Drugs hurt our nation's productivity, wreak havoc on our healthcare system, destroy our kids and are the root cause of the majority of our crime. I have been fighting the war on drugs for years, first as Mayor of Fort Worth, and now on the national level as a Member of Congress. I am honored to serve on this important task force. It is my hope the members of the Speaker's Drug Task Force can work together to come up with some productive solutions to one of our nation's most serious problems."

Speaker Hastert has this to say about his selection of Congresswoman Granger, "As a former teacher and coach, I believe in giving our kids a drug-free future. Working together to help our nation grapple with the threat of illegal drugs is a personal priority. As a recognized leader, Congresswoman Kay Granger has been hand-selected to advise me on national drug policy and to help lead a new crusade against the scourge of illegal drugs for the sake of our kids and all Americans."

Since being elected to Congress in 1996, Granger has played an integral role in finding solutions to the drug problem. In February, she attended the Fourth Inter-parliamentary Transatlantic Drug Conference held in Bolivia. The conference consisted of leaders from the English Parliament, Russian Duma and the legislative branches of numerous other countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Congresswoman Granger has also traveled to the front lines of the drug war visiting Colombia, Bolivia, Peru and other drug hot spots.

Granger is also working hard to expand drug detoxification options in the Twelfth District. She recently established a community board that has assessed community needs and is now reviewing funding options. The goal is to improve community access to affordable drug detoxification.

The purpose of the Task Force is to advise the Speaker on major drug policy issues and to advocate common sense legislative solutions to our nation's illegal drug problem. The Task Force is expected to meet approximately twice a month to carry out its mission. The Task Force members serve at the pleasure of the Speaker, and the Task Force will remain in effect throughout the 107th Congress.