Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I am proud to rise today in support of H.R. 2339, the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act. This bill would ban menthol products which are primarily used because of decades of predatory advertising by tobacco companies in the African American community and on the African American community, particularly, Madam Speaker, African American males, the so-called Kool generation, spelled with a K and not a C. Smoking cigarettes, especially menthol-flavored cigarettes, has resulted in approximately 45,000 African American deaths each and every year. Lung cancer, COPD, and heart disease are the leading preventable causes of death for African Americans. Smoking menthol-flavored cigarettes is the primary culprit. Earlier this week, Madam Speaker, I wrote an op-ed with Nancy Brown, the CEO of the American Heart Association, on the importance of this bill and the ban on menthol flavoring for our kids' health. I am pleased to report that our op-ed was published in The Hill on last Wednesday. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record my op-ed. [From The Hill, Feb. 26, 2020] No Exceptions When It Comes To Kids' Health (By Rep. Bobby L.…”