    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [February 25, 2000]
    [Page 322]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Poison Control Center Enhancement and Awareness
    Act
    February 25, 2000

        Today I am pleased to sign a bipartisan bill that will help save
    lives by giving families immediate access to vital information about
    poison control. Each year, more than 2 million poisonings are reported
    to the Nation's poison control centers, and more than half of the
    victims are young children. The Poison Control Center Enhancement and
    Awareness Act authorizes $140 million over the next 5 years to fund the
    Nation's poison control centers, carry out a national media campaign,
    and establish a national toll-free telephone poison control hotline to
    give callers immediate information if there is an accident in the home.
    This new funding will help provide vital resources and information to
    inform the public about poison control and assist parents in protecting
    the health and safety of their children.

    Note: S. 632, approved February 25, was assigned Public Law No. 106-174.
    A portion of the President's statement was also made available on the
    White House Press Office Actuality Line.