News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2003

"Community Stars" Program

The billboard of the Families Under Urban and Social Attack, FUUSA.

The DEA, along with Houston Crackdown, the Office of the Mayor, and Clear Channel Communications, was proud to sponsor the "Community Stars" Program. The "Community Stars" Program is a bi-annual event designed to recognize and honor organizations, coalitions, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies, and individuals that are working to eradicate drugs in their communities. The following organizations were honored at the Houston Divisional Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration:

Families Under Urban and Social Attack (FUUSA)
Greater Magnolia/Pineview Place Civic Club
Gulfton Super Neighborhood Council
Alief Super Neighborhood Council

As a reminder of DEA's commitment to drug education and prevention, the Houston Divisional Office exhibited a full size billboard, representing the Houston skyline with the recipients displayed as gold stars. "Our goal is to fill the skyline with stars," said SAC Whaley.

These outstanding organizations were honored with a duplicate, full-size billboard in their community. This local exposure will have direct impact on tens of thousands of citizens and provide a forum for our joint message 24 hours a day.

During calendar year 2003, the "Community Stars" program will focus exclusively on neighborhood organizations and coalitions located throughout the Houston metropolitan area. The next awards program is scheduled for October 2003 (Red Ribbon month).

Above: SAC Kevin Whaley; Assistant Police Chief of the Houston Police Department Geraldine Stewart; Richard Cantu, representative of the Office of the Mayor; Lee Vela, Director of Public Affairs for Clear Channel Outdoor; Council Member Mark Goldberg and Ray Andrews, Director of Houston Crackdown recognized the honorees at the Community Stars Award Ceremony.