[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 50 (Friday, April 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATIONS TO THE AMERICAN LEGACY FOUNDATION ON WINNING THE UNITED 
   STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL 
                        HEALTH EXCELLENCE AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARTIN T. MEEHAN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 2005

  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the American Legacy 
Foundation for being selected as a final winner in the Environmental 
Protection Agency's Children's Environmental Health Awards.
  The widespread use of tobacco and devastating effects of secondhand 
smoke contribute to a serious environmental health risk for America's 
children. Since its inception 5 years ago, the American Legacy 
Foundation, a non-profit health organization dedicated to building a 
world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit, has 
implemented several innovative outreach initiatives and programs to 
discourage adult and youth tobacco use and reduce the effects of 
secondhand smoke.
  Passive exposure through secondhand smoke puts children at risk for a 
range of health consequences including asthma, ear infections, 
bronchitis, pneumonia, reduced lung function, respiratory infection, 
and other chronic respiratory symptoms. According to current population 
survey data, 13.8 million kids ages 0 to 17 are exposed to secondhand 
smoke and 22 percent of middle school students and 24 percent of high 
school students are exposed to secondhand smoke in the home.
  The American Legacy Foundation has launched key initiatives to 
address the negative health effects of tobacco. The Foundation has 
designed public awareness campaigns and initiatives to educate and 
empower youth to take action against the environmental health threat 
from smoking and secondhand smoke.
  Some of the Foundation's most successful programs include 
truth', the Youth Speakers Bureau, the Youth Advisory Panel 
and the Statewide Youth Movement Against Tobacco Use (Youth 
Empowerment) Grants.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage my colleagues to join with me to 
congratulate the American Legacy Foundation for their progress in 
successfully reducing youth smoking and for receiving the Environmental 
Protection Agency's Children's Environmental Health Award.

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