[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 31, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE AMERICAN LEGACY FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 31, 2004

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise on this, the fifth anniversary of 
the American Legacy Foundation, to recognize the tremendous strides 
this organization has made in improving the health of millions of 
Americans. Through its various programs such as Circle of Friends, 
Great Start, and Priority Population, as well as its Truth Campaign, 
the Foundation has played a tremendous role in promoting both the 
cessation and the prevention of tobacco use in our country. As the 
largest youth smoking prevention campaign in the United States, the 
Truth Campaign in particular has been cited as a factor in the current 
28-year low in youth smoking rates.
  Smoking costs our society not only in the lives lost but also in the 
billions of dollars spent on related health care. Smoking is the 
leading cause of preventable deaths in our country, killing 440,000 
people each year, and exposes thousands of children to the harmful 
effects of second-hand smoke. I strongly hope that the American Legacy 
Foundation will continue to receive the Federal funding it needs in 
order to carry out its campaign for a tobacco-free nation. Mr. Speaker, 
I thank you for allowing me to recognize the American Legacy Foundation 
for its ongoing contributions to the health of our great nation.

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