Three years ago, appalled by how many children were becoming addicted to cigarettes every year, the Vice President and I committed this administration to stopping the sale and marketing of cigarettes to children. Today, thanks to these efforts and the persistence of state attorneys general, the public health community, and leaders in Congress, we have the best opportunity ever to pass comprehensive anti-smoking legislation that well save millions of our children from a premature, painful, and very preventable death.

　　This week, in a historic and resounding 19 to 1 vote, a key Senate committee gave its stamp of approval to comprehensive legislation sponsored by Senator John McCain, a Republican, and Senator Fritz Hollings, a Democrat, that would cut youth smoking by half over the next decade. This bill represents a dramatic step forward. It would raise the price of cigarettes, give the FDA full authority to regulate tobacco products, ban advertising aimed at children, and protect tobacco farmers.

　　We still have work to do in this legislation. Above all, we need to put in place tough penalties that will cost the tobacco industry if it continues to sell cigarettes to young people. Just this week the Centers for Disease Control released a disturbing report that more than a third of teenagers in the United States now smoke, even though it's illegal.

　　It is time to hold tobacco companies accountable. Reducidng youth smoking must be veerybody's bottom line. Let''s remember —— this is not about politics or money, or seeking revenge against the tobacco industry for past practices. We're not trying to put the tobacco companies out of business; we want to put them out of the business of selling cigarattes to kids. This week's progress in the Senate shows we have real momentum in both parties to do just that.

　　There're still maly issues to be worked out and many long nights ahead. But we have within our grasp one of the most important public health victories our nation has ever achieved.

　　Finally, lit me just pause a moment to observe the 30th anniversary of the death of one of America's greatest heroes, Dr. Martin Luther King. His dream, deeply rooted in the American Dream, is a dream for all Americans. Let us here at home always strive to heed Dr. King''s words and live up to his legacy.

　　-------- Bill Clinton

　　appall vt.使惊骇，使大吃一惊

　　[联想词]

　　terrify vt.使害怕，使惊吓

　　outrage vt.激起……的义愤，激怒

　　n.1.义愤，愤慨 2.暴行，骇人听闻的事件

　　addict n.1.有瘾的人 2.入迷的人

　　vt.使成瘾，使入迷

　　[联想词]

　　cocaine n.可卡因

　　toxic a.有毒的，中毒引起的

　　persistent a. 1.坚持不懈的，执意的 2.持续的

　　persistence n.1.坚持不懈，执意 2. 持续性，持续状态

　　[联想词]

　　stubborn a. 1.顽固的，执拗的，倔强的 2.难对付的，难于克服的

　　legislation n.1.法律，法规 2.立法的，法律的制定

　　[联想词]

　　legitimate a. 1.合情合理的 2.合法的，法律认可的

　　judicial a. 1.司法的，法庭的，审判的 2.明断的，公正的

　　sue vi.1.控告，起诉 2.要求，请求 vt.控告，起诉

　　prosecute vt.1.对……提起公诉，告发，检举 2.继续从事 vi.起诉，告发

　　defendant n.被告

　　invalid a.1.无效的，作废的 2.无可靠依据的 n.病弱者，残疾者

　　testify vi.1.作证，证明 2.表明，说明 vt.作证，证明

　　testimony n.1.证词 2.见证，证明

　　premature a.1.比预期时间早是 2.不成熟的，仓促的

　　authority n.1.权力，管辖权 2.官方，当局 3.当权者，行政管理机构 4.权威，专家

　　authoritative a.1.权威性的，可信的 2.专断的，命令式的

　　authorize vt.授权，批准

　　[联想词]

　　definitive a. 1.最可靠的，权威性的 2.决定性的

　　accountable a. 负起责任的

　　revenge n.报复，报仇

　　momentum n.1.动力，冲力，势力 2.动量

　　[联想词]

　　impetus n.1.推动，促进，刺激 2.推动力

　　strive vi.努力，奋斗，力求

　　heed vt.留心，注意，听从

　　legency n.遗赠的财物，遗产

　　deadly a.1.致死的，致命的 2.不共戴天的，殊死的 3.极度的，十足的 ad.非常，极度地]

　　[联想词]

　　drastic a.1.极端的，严厉的 2.激烈的，迅猛的

　　epidemic n.1.流行病 2.流传，流行 a.流行性的，流传极广的

　　lure vt.吸引，引诱，诱惑