[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 41 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2949-S2950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING LARA GREEN SPECTOR

 Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise to honor Lara Green 
Spector, the Tobacco-Free Kids East Regional Youth Advocate of the 
Year. Lara is a ninth grader from Montclair High School in New Jersey 
who truly exemplifies the old adage that one person can make a 
difference.
  Lara was the motivating force behind Montclair's recently passed 
ordinance banning cigarette vending machines and self-service displays. 
Who knows how many Montclair teenagers and children may not take up 
smoking because cigarettes are now more difficult to obtain. And local 
public officials, school advisers and residents all agree that this 
ordinance would never have

[[Page S2950]]

become a reality without Lara's initiative, leadership and tenacity.
  Lara also organized a townwide program for the Great American 
Smokeout in November 1996. Her program included a poster contest in the 
local elementary schools and a quiz contest in the middle schools. She 
also created and distributed a fact sheet to every Montclair student. 
For years, tobacco companies have used youth oriented advertisements, 
like Joe Camel, to send a false message to young people that smoking is 
cool and glamorous. Education campaigns like Lara's help blow away 
their smoke screens and demonstrate that cigarettes are addictive and 
deadly.
  Mr. President, for years, I have led the crusade in this Chamber 
against teenage and youth smoking. I am certainly happy to have an 
exceptional foot soldier like Lara join me in the fight.
  By working to stop children and young people from smoking, Lara Green 
Spector is enhancing lives and saving lives. She is an outstanding 
student, activist, and citizen, and I have a feeling that we have not 
heard the last from her on Capitol Hill.

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