[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      NATIONAL KICK BUTTS DAY 1999

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                       HON. STEVEN T. KUYKENDALL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 1999

  Mr. KUYKENDALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for a 
nationwide initiative that encourages the reduction of teen smoking. 
Teen smoking reached an all-time high in 1997 with roughly 4.5 million 
kids between the ages of 12-17 using some type of tobacco product. Each 
day some 3,000 young people start smoking; one third of these kids will 
die too young because they smoked. If that wasn't enough, approximately 
400,000 Americans die each year from cigarette smoking.
  To counter these alarming statistics and to provide greater awareness 
about the dangers of smoking, The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids chose 
April 14 as the National Youth Movement to ``Kick Butts.'' The goal of 
National Kick Butts Day is to encourage our teens to take a stand 
against tobacco products and fight for healthier futures for themselves 
and their peers.
  I have spent my entire public career trying to prevent youth smoking. 
I support the objective of National Kick Butts Day. I urge all of my 
colleagues to join me and show their support for this serious and 
necessary campaign.

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