Equally important, Lightner provided the solution — vision, legislative strategy and consensus-building skills — necessary to move lawmakers into proactively changing laws and saving lives. Ms. Lightner’s political acumen led to the successful passage of more than 500 bills at the state and national levels, including legislation raising the drinking age to 21 — a move credited with saving thousands of lives. She has testified before Congress, statehouses and committee hearings, and has formed coalitions such as SOS (Save Our Students) as powerful political tools. She also conceived, organized and implemented visionary national programs, including Project Graduation, the National Poster and Essay Contest, Victim Services, Alcohol Server Training, leadership conferences, volunteer recruitment and training, courtroom monitoring and speakers bureaus.
