HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 96-4742, by Representatives Brown, Valle, Dellwo, D. Sommers, Silver, Keiser and Patterson

       WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington State House of Representatives to recognize young people who act in a responsible manner and who make good choices; and

       WHEREAS, It is vital to the health of our state and nation to encourage young people not to begin smoking and to encourage people who do smoke to quit; and

       WHEREAS, Mike Podobnik of Spokane and Misty Jurgensen of SeaTac have been chosen to represent Washington state in the Smoke Free Class of 2000 program, administered by the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association; and

       WHEREAS, The Washington State Health Report shows that seventy-five percent of smokers become addicted to tobacco while in their teens; and

       WHEREAS, Smoking by children is on the rise and nearly three out of four high school smokers are still smoking seven to nine years later; and

       WHEREAS, Children do not comprehend the serious economic and health-related costs of tobacco use; and

       WHEREAS, Children are influenced by tobacco advertising and promotion; and

       WHEREAS, Most children want to quit smoking within a few years of using tobacco; and

       WHEREAS,  The United States Surgeon General reports that smoking is the single most important preventable cause of death in our society; and

       WHEREAS, In Washington state in 1990, an estimated 7,993 deaths were attributable to all uses of tobacco;

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives honor Mike Podobnik, Misty Jurgensen, and all young people who participate in activities and programs to discourage smoking among their peers; and

       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Mike Podobnik of Spokane; Misty Jurgensen of SeaTac; Judith A. Billings, the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Bruce Miyahara, the Secretary of the Department of Health; Alison Olzendam, the Principal of Chase Middle School; Spokane School District No. 81; Roy Adler, the Principal of Chinook Middle School; Highline School District No. 401; Ann Marie Pomerinke, the Executive Vice President of the American Cancer Society, Washington Division; Mark Rieck, the Executive Director of the American Heart Association of Washington; and Astrid Berg, the Executive Director of the American Lung Association of Washington.

         I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

        Resolution 4742 adopted by the House of Representatives

                             March 4, 1996.

                    ________________________________

                     Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk