[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 27 (Thursday, March 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE AMERICAN LEGACY FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARTIN T. MEEHAN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 2004

  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the American 
Legacy Foundation as they celebrate their 5th Anniversary. Founded on 
March 4, 1999 as a result of the historic Master Settlement Agreement 
between the attorneys general of 40 states and the tobacco industry, 
the foundation is committed to building a world where young people 
reject tobacco and anyone can quit.
  Thanks to the American Legacy Foundation and other life-saving 
organizations that work every day to prevent our young people from 
starting to smoke and help those already addicted to successfully quit, 
youth smoking prevalence in the U.S. has hit its lowest level in nearly 
three decades.
  The American Legacy Foundation is best known for its award winning 
truth youth counter marketing campaign. With its blunt messaging and 
frank approach, truth has been cited as one of the reasons behind 
sharp declines in youth tobacco use. The foundation's programs also 
extend beyond youth. Circle of Friends creates circles of support 
around women who want to quit; Great Start helps provide information 
and counseling to pregnant women about the risks of tobacco use during 
pregnancy and the earliest days of a baby's life; and the foundation's 
Priority Populations Program focuses on minorities and other groups 
that are disproportionately harmed by tobacco use.
  I urge my colleagues to join me today in celebrating five years of 
accomplishment by the American Legacy Foundation and hope that you will 
work with me to ensure that organizations like the Legacy Foundation 
are able to continue their critical work to protect our nation from 
tobacco's deadly toll.

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