[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 50 (Friday, April 22, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S4150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE AMERICAN LEGACY FOUNDATION ON RECEIVING THE EPA 
                 CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AWARD

 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President. I congratulate the American Legacy 
Foundation on the occasion of yesterday's announcement by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency that the Foundation is a recipient of 
the agency's Children's Environmental Health Award.
  The widespread use of tobacco and devastating effects of secondhand 
smoke create 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 worked 
to discourage adult and youth tobacco use and reduce the effects of 
secondhand smoke.
  Passive exposure through secondhand smoke, or environmental tobacco 
smoke, puts children at risk for a range of negative 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. American Legacy's 
campaigns and programs to reduce smoking are helping to reduce the 
number of young people breathing environmental tobacco smoke.
  The Environmental Protection Agency is recognizing the Foundation 
because of its initiatives to address the negative health effects of 
tobacco. Outreach efforts include public awareness campaigns and 
initiatives designed to educate and empower youth to take action 
against the environmental health threat that smoking and secondhand 
smoke poses to them.
  It is with great pleasure today that I commend the agency for its 
program of recognition and the American Legacy Foundation for its 
award. 

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