Press Release

LEVITTOWN, NY — Assemblyman David McDonough (19th
Assembly District) and The Century Council partnered today to bring a
life-saving lesson about the dangers of drunk driving and underage
drinking to students in Bellmore and Levittown. Brandon Silveria and
his father Tony spoke to students at John F. Kennedy High School and
Division Avenue High School about the importance of “making the right
choice” about alcohol – and for students who are under the age of 21,
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. The Century Council is a national not-for-profit
organization funded by distillers dedicated to fighting drunk driving
and underage drinking.

“The most recent statistics available show that in 2005 there were
524 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in New York, 83 of these deaths
were among youth under 21 (NHTSA 2005),” said Assemblyman McDonough.
“One death is one too many. We must do more to keep the teens of New
York safe and alcohol-free. I am proud to have Brandon and Tony
Silveria with us today to communicate their life-saving message.”

“In New York, 285 youths under age 18 were arrested for driving
under the influence and 1,134 youths were arrested for liquor law
violations (UCR 2005),” said Erica Moulton of The Century Council. “Our
goal with these presentations is to raise awareness about this serious
problem, and by doing so, save lives in New York. I’m pleased we were
invited to John F. Kennedy High School and Division Avenue High School
today and I am hopeful that Brandon and Tony’s words will resonate with
the students.

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,” as well as media outlets across the country.

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.

The Century Council is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting
drunk driving and underage drinking. Founded in 1991, The Council is funded by distillers.
For more information on The Council and its mission, please log onto www.centurycouncil.org