Remarks: Tobacco-Free Kids Youth Advocate of the Year Awards Gala

REMARKS: TOBACCO-FREE KIDS YOUTH ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR AWARDS GALA

Thank you, Matt, for that kind introduction. It is such a privilege and an honor for me to be here tonight and to share this recognition with my friend and colleague Senator Kennedy. I am humbled by this recognition, and I thank you all for being here tonight.

But, the real thanks and recognition goes to all of you for your dedication and commitment to stopping kids from smoking. I am so proud of the youth here tonight. Thank you for what you are doing. You are all role models. We all know that it is you and your brothers and sisters and friends who tobacco companies target in their marketing.

You are the ones who are fighting a daily battle to say no to all of these temptations and all of these marketing efforts to get you hooked on smoking. Yet, you are the examples. You are saying "no" to these temptations. You are out there fighting against the use of tobacco and cigarettes.

I commend each one of you. I know that there is a fellow Ohioan here tonight -- Tracy Meng from Copley, Ohio, and her mom, Shirly Hou. Thank you, Tracy, for what you are doing for the youth in Ohio and those in China through your membership in the Asian American Youth Against Tobacco organization. Your leadership and energy on this issue is inspiring. Your work has helped to educate your peers about the harm tobacco causes. You are making a difference every day, and you are saving the lives of your friends and strangers by helping make sure they never start smoking in the first place.

You are all doing your part, and I promise you that I will continue to do my part in the Senate to pass the bill that provides FDA with the authority it needs to regulate tobacco products, so that kids in America are no longer targets.

Thank you again for this honor tonight.

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