[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6532]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          NATIONAL AWARD FOR PASSING MOST LOCAL SMOKEFREE LAWS

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise to commend the great State of 
Illinois for receiving the National Award for Passing Most Local 
Smokefree Laws in 2006. This honor was awarded to Illinois by the 
national organization Americans for Nonsmokers Rights.
  Last year, a recordbreaking 36 Illinois cities and counties enacted 
smokefree laws, more than any other State in the Nation. In doing so, 
Illinois has taken a firm stance against the devastating consequences 
that smoking has on our communities.
  The 2006 Surgeon General's report, ``The Health Consequences of 
Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke,'' concluded that smoking rooms 
and ventilation systems cannot protect people from secondhand smoke. 
The report reaffirmed previous health findings that secondhand smoke 
causes heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems, and even death.
  I am honored to acknowledge the tireless efforts of public health 
advocates and State legislators who helped make it possible. Before 
2005, Illinois communities were preempted from passing local laws. Now, 
the local community has the right to deal with this important issue and 
help improve the health of millions of Illinoisans. The following 
communities have enacted smokefree laws in the State: Arlington 
Heights, Barrington, Bedford Park, Bloomington, Buffalo Grove, Burr 
Ridge, Champaign, Chicago, Cook County, Deerfield, DeKalb, Elk Grove 
Village, Evanston, Hawthorn Woods, Highland Park, Hinsdale, Hoffman 
Estates, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Lindenhurst, Long 
Grove, McLean County, Mt. Prospect, Normal, Northbrook, Oak Forest, Oak 
Park, Orland Park, Palatine, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Sangamon 
County, Schaumburg, Skokie, Springfield, Tinley Park, Urbana, Vernon 
Hills, Wheaton, and Wilmette.
  Again, I extend my deepest congratulations to the citizens of 
Illinois, who now can breathe a little easier.

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