Political Quotes

“we have just been subjected in the U.S. Senate to what I think could appropriately be described as a filibuster--4 hours of wandering discussion on an amendment that is now before the Senate. During those 4 hours of that filibuster, 500 American youth under the age of 18 commenced their first use of tobacco products. One-third of those 500 American youth during that 4-hour filibuster who started to use tobacco will die, die prematurely of a tobacco-related affliction. I have heard as I walked through the Chamber during this 4 hours mocking comments: Does anybody believe that we are really here to try to reduce teenage smoking? Does anybody really feel we are here to reduce teenage smoking? The answer is yes, we are here to reduce teenage smoking. That is the only legitimate reason that we can be here. Anyone who does not start their debate by a clear statement of their commitment to that objective has debased this national debate about the future of tobacco and the youth of America. In 4 hours, 500 American youth have taken up smoking. Since May 20 of 1997, 1 year ago, the number is 1,095,000 American youth under the age of 18 have taken up the use of tobacco, and 365,000 of those American youth who have taken up tobacco in the last 1 year will die prematurely of a tobacco-related affliction. It is to them that this debate is directed.”