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Prem Ramaswami has demonstrated fully the enormous impact that the proper information, made accurate, accessible, and timely, can have on society. Working with Google.org, the charitable wing of the internet giant, Prem focused on Google’s Dotorg efforts around Crisis Response, making critical information more accessible around natural disasters and humanitarian crises. His work there enabled a faster, more efficient response to the earthquake in Haiti, undoubtedly saving scores of lives.

Prem’s work illustrates the transformative effect that concise, clear, accurate and widely available data can have – itself perhaps the greatest revelation of the 20 years. We hope and expect to see more life-saving work from Prem. And for that reason, he’s one of our 20 People to Watch.

Century Council Blog

I called Melissa Montgomery to thank her for the uplifting evening I was privileged to share with the dedicated and inspiring folks in the South Texas Affiliate of MADD. It was obvious that they are close. I told her I could feel their mutual trust and personally felt invited into their family with open arms.

Melissa replied, “Everyone should be. There is not one person who doesn’t want to be doing what we are doing. It is not a job to us. It is a passion for each one of us and we work as a team in whatever we do.” What a team they are. They are everyday people doing extraordinary things!

Starting from the left, in the photo you see Angela and R.J. Dittmeier. Angela serves as a victim advocate. She exudes kindness and professionalism. Next to her is Melissa Montgomery with her husband, Thomas, standing behind her. (He says that is his role all of the time.) Melissa is the Victim Services Manager.

Next to Thomas in the back row is Rudy Rodriguez. What a delightful dedicated individual. After retiring from law enforcement, Rudy now continues his care of protecting us through the Take the Wheel Program. I am standing between Melissa and Dorene Ocamb, National MADD’s brilliant and delightful marketing and communications specialist. Melissa said of Dorene, “I really like her. She is honest and dedicated and real.” I agree!

Nicholas Cheatam is devoting his college semester as an intern with MADD. How lucky they are to have him. On the right is Carlos, who teaches humanities at Northwest Vista College. He was there with Nicholas and immediately expressed his desire to connect MADD with his students to help them learn the benefits of community service.

The picture is missing two very important persons in this MADD family. Carly Johnson is their gracious and very competant volunteer coordinator, and my friend, Executive Director Jennifer Northway, their illustrious leader. Jennifer made sure that in her absence I was able to spend time with her Southwest Texas MADD family.

Thank you, Jennifer. I send my thanks to each of you for devoting yourselves to helping others through MADD – be it supporting those victimized by drunk driving, or working to save lives and prevent underage drinking.

Warmly, Jan Withers

MADD National President

Blog to Eliminate Drunk Driving

Today, we are proud to recognize Robyn Robertson as our newest addition to our “20 People to Watch.” Robyn is the President and CEO of the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), a charitable, independent road safety research institute.

Throughout her career, she’s focused on a diverse range of issues. Tackling issues such as impaired driving, dui repeat offenders, and issues around senior drivers and driver fatigue, she’s covered almost every facet of traffic safety. She’s also published more than 60 major reports and articles in traffic safety and criminal justice journals.

Robyn is a very accomplished and inspiring researcher in her field, and we’re thrilled to recognize her as one of our 20 People to Watch.

Century Council Blog

Today we’re happy to announce Hayley Kilpatrick, founder and executive director of Girl Talk, as one of our 20 People to Watch.

Inspired by her own experience, Hayley created a program to help middle school girls deal with the pressures and anxieties of being a young teen. Girl Talk organizes high school girls to mentor middle school girls to build self-esteem, develop leadership skills and understand the importance of community service.

Today, Girl Talk is one of the fastest growing nonprofit mentoring programs in the country. It has reached more than 35,000 girls in 43 states. Currently, Haley is working hard to ensure that Girl Talk has a Chapter in all 50 states.

The Century Council is proud to celebrate the innovative contributions it has made over 20 years and can attribute our success to the support, encouragement and commitment of people like Haley Kilpatrick. We look forward to continued progress in the fight against drunk driving, underage drinking and a safer and healthier America with great partners like Haley.

Century Council Blog

People paid to campaign for some parties do not necessarily support the parties but only receives the pay because the ballots are not subject to verification.

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We’re very happy to announce Senator Tom Udall as one of our 20 People to Watch. Tom Udall has been a longtime crusader for more effective DWI laws. Since joining the United States Senate in 2009, he has kept his focus on this mission.

He’s been an excellent partner in our initiatives, and is one of the most steadfast voices in the fight against drunk driving and underage drinking. We’re very grateful for his focus and for his work.

Century Council Blog

Apolo Ohno has been one of the most vocal and supportive proponents of our Ask, Listen, Learn program. He as traveled across the country, visiting countless schools in order to teach kids the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle, and how important the choices you make are, even at an early age.

Through his work with The Century Council, Apolo has reached thousands if not tens of thousands of kids. He’s lit up classrooms, inspiring kids with his enthusiasm and with his story.

That’s why we’re very proud to honor Apolo as one of our 20 People to Watch. It’s an honor he undoubtedly deserves.

Read Apolo’s thoughts on leadership and our responsibility to kids and his take on ‘The ulimate win’ on our 20 people to Watch page.

Century Council Blog

Calling all Manitobans — start getting your 10-digit dialing into gear.

Winnipeg Sun – Manitoba

We work with many athletes in order to reach kids – few of them are as effective or inspiring as Julie Foudy. Through her work with the Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy, she’s touched the lives of thousands of young girls, creating strong, empowered women. Through her work with the Commission on Title IX, she’s lead the way for student athletes all over the country. And through her work with The Century Council, she’s helping steer kids away from underage drinking and towards a healthy, active lifestyle.

We’re proud to honor Julie Foudy as one of our 20 People to Watch.

[Julie Foudy Honored As One of The Century Council's 20 People To Watch]

Century Council Blog

Here are my ideas.
1. Outlaw lobbyist, any public official found receiving any gift, monetary or other item, are immediately suspended from office, put on trial and if convicted, barred from any public office in the future, all funds or gifts are then surrendered and goes into the public coffers, and the individual will be given a jail sentence equal to the jail term for theft of the value of the gift.

2. Campaign finance reform. A limit will be set for the amount to be spent on ANY and ALL campaigns. Each candidate will be alloted the same amount of money, and an auditor from the IRS will work with the campaign for each camp reporting their findings in the newsmedia each week.

3. Ban TV and Radio campaign advertising. A set number of debates will be televised in which each candidate will be given equal time.

4. TERM LIMITS 2 Terms max for any elected position no exceptions and no grandfather clauses.

There’s much more that could be done but tell me what you think.

The problem with all but the first of those suggestions is that they take power AWAY from the people: If I want to exercise my freedom of speech to tell people what I think about a candidate by buying advertising using money that I earned honestly you think it should be illegal? Or if I’m not that rich I can’t get together with a bunch of other people who think similarly and pool our money to do the same thing? How is that giving me power?

The real solution is to start holding government power to the limits set up for it in the constitution. When it can’t buy votes with tax money, most of the reasons for corruption will disappear. Of course this is unlikely to happen because most people like it when the government taxes other people to buy them goodies, so they’ll never tell their representatives "No, don’t send money taken from tax payers by force to help us build our city a pork barrel project, pay for health care for the poor, run our schools, etc. If enough people want the project then it can be built with private funds; if not, then we shouldn’t build it. Charity should be funded by voluntary charitable contribution, not money taken by force. etc."

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