Frank Lautenberg: “Mr. President, I join with my distinguished friend and colleague from Massachusetts in proposing the $1.50 amendment, if…”

“Mr. President, I join with my distinguished friend and colleague from Massachusetts in proposing the $1.50 amendment, if I can call it that, that both he and I have had a longtime interest in. I want to make some comments on the entire bill before I go into the specifics of the $1.50. Senator Kennedy has been the leader in all matters of health and concern for young people, always out in the front, helping to defend what is right in our country. I have great respect for him and I am pleased to share this particular interest in reducing teen smoking. Today we begin consideration of legislation that is long overdue. It tackles one of the most important health issues of our time, because today we begin the questions to finally reform the way tobacco products are sold in this country and the way the tobacco industry operates. Getting to this point has not been an easy journey. Despite the fact that the tobacco industry has for decades engaged in shameless corporate conduct, the Congress has never acted in a comprehensive way to get this industry under control. However, we have now reached a point where the American people no longer tolerate inaction on this issue.”