Newark/Jersey City, NJ —  Congressman Bob Menendez and The Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization funded by distillers dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking, partnered today to bring a life-saving lesson about the dangers of drunk driving and underage drinking to students at Linden High School and McNair/Academic High School. In advance of prom and graduation season, Brandon Silveria and his father Tony spoke to students about the importance of “making the right choice” about alcohol — and if students are under the age of 21, that the only responsible decision is not to drink. Brandon is a young man who was involved in an alcohol-related crash at age 17 just before his high school prom.

We must all do more to save lives in our area,” said Congressman Menendez. “Last year (2003) 17,013 people were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes nationwide, including 2,834 alcohol-related deaths among drinking drivers under the age of 21. One death is one too many. We must do more to keep the teens of New Jersey safe and alcohol-free. I am so proud to have Brandon and Tony Silveria with us today to communicate their life-saving message to young drivers in Newark and Jersey City.”

“The good news is underage drinking has declined 31% proportionally from 70% in 1982 to 48% in 2004 in terms of past month alcohol consumption among high school seniors, according to the 2004 Monitoring the Future study,” said Jay Hibbard of The Century Council. I’m pleased Congressman Menendez invited us to give a presentation today. During our visit, we hope to raise awareness about this serious problem, and by doing so, save lives in New Jersey.”
During the presentation, Brandon Silveria told students his wrenching story of how as a high school student he had everything a teenager could want — a job, a girlfriend and plans for the future — until he had a few drinks at a party and chose to drive home. After falling asleep at the wheel, crossing the centerline and crashing into a tree, he was left in a coma for three months and spent several years in rehabilitation. Brandon was so badly injured that basic motor functions such as walking, talking and swallowing had to be re-learned. He has permanent brain injury and suffers from dangerous seizures. Brandon’s presentations continue to receive standing ovations from students across the country.

“What you become depends on the choices that you make,” said Brandon. “When I was seventeen, I had a job and a girlfriend. Because of my crash, I lost both of them. My hope is that by sharing my experiences with other young people, I can prevent others from being hurt or killed.”

Through educational efforts such as the Silveria lecture and video program, The Century Council educates students across the country about the hazards of underage drinking and driving. Since Brandon and his father Tony have become spokespeople for The Century Council, they have addressed well over two million high school students nationwide and have been featured on such television programs as “Rescue 911,” NBC’s “Today,” and “Leeza.”

To request a free copy of “Brandon Tells His Story” or for more information on the Silveria program call (800) 431-4499. The 30-minute video, which won an award from the American Medical Association, is accompanied by supporting curriculum materials and can be used with large or small groups of teens.