[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 137 (Monday, October 6, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H8362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ALLOWING SMOKING IN THE CHAMBER

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, our decision to allow smoking in this 
Chamber, the Speaker's lobby and the cloakrooms impacts not just 
ourselves but hundreds of employees, many of whom are here on a regular 
basis. Reports from our employees that I have received indicate they 
suffer extreme discomfort in some cases, do not like it, but feel 
uncomfortable about speaking out.
  We should care as much for our employees as for other Federal workers 
who do get a smoke-free environment. They deserve it. Executive Order 
13058 protects employees of Federal agencies from tobacco in the 
workplace. Agencies must implement the smoking ban by August 9, 1998.
  There has been much talk in this Chamber about playing by the same 
rules as everybody else. Unfortunately, there is rather a glaring gap 
between the rhetoric and action when it comes to providing a smoke-free 
workplace for our employees.
  It is time for the House to catch up with the rest of America and 
move to protect the health of our employees. I urge my colleagues to 
support H.R. 247.

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