In New Mexico, more than 25 percent of high school students smoke. This is above the nationwide average of 23 percent. Ever since I quit smoking almost 20 years ago, I have become acutely aware of the dangers of smoking and the addiction of nicotine. While the laws on tobacco regulation have tightened in the past few years, I believe more can be done to teach young people especially of these dangers.

I recently joined Senators Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts and John Cornyn of Texas to support tougher regulations on tobacco. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (S.625) will give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco advertising and the availability of tobacco to minors. This bill would also help pre-existing smokers overcome their addiction. This bill will help decrease the overall cost of healthcare across the nation by lowering the number of smokers.

I am also working with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, in conjunction with

several New Mexico youth-advocate and anti-tobacco groups, to support activities like the 12th annual Kick Butts Day.

April 14 was designated as Kick Butts Day in New Mexico which raised awareness of the dangers of cigarette smoking, particularly, the more than 4,000 chemicals they contain. On this day, students celebrated with an Oscar-style "Fame and Shame Awards" ceremony in Albuquerque.

By supporting this federal legislation as well as Kick Butts Day in New Mexico, I hope to reduce the number of young people who smoke.

Almost a month after at least 16 tornados struck eastern New Mexico, families and businesses are still struggling to clean up the damage and put their lives back together.

Those March 23 storms caused two deaths and inflicted damage on homes, schools, and businesses in Clovis and Logan, as well as property throughout Curry, Quay and Roosevelt counties. Hundreds of dairy cattle were lost, which significantly impacted milk producers in the region.

I met with R. David Paulison, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), shortly after the storms to discuss an appropriate FEMA response. I have also been in contact with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help ensure individuals from the affected area have as much assistance as possible. On April 2, President Bush declared a major disaster for the State of New Mexico which triggered a variety of federal assistance options.

Several programs are now available to individuals and businesses impacted by the storm. The USDA is offering low-interest emergency loans for agricultural producers in Quay and Curry counties, as well as the contiguous counties of De Baca, Guadalupe, Harding, Roosevelt, San Miguel and Union.

These loans can be used to repair or replace damaged farm structures, lost livestock, and damaged fencing. I encourage all interested producers to contact their local USDA Service Centers or visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/nm for further information.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are also available to residents and businesses in Curry and Quay counties. Eligible homeowners can receive loans of up to $200,000 to repair real estate. Homeowners and renters are also eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $1.5 million to replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment and inventory. For small businesses, the SBA also offers economic injury disaster assistance regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. To be considered, individuals should contact FEMA at (800) 621-FEMA (3362).

FEMA also offers the Individual and Households Program (IHP). IHP provides financial help to individuals for "necessary expenses and serious needs," including some medical, transportation, or household requirements. To inquire about eligibility for this program, individuals should contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362.

New Mexicans who were impacted by these storms should contact these government agencies to determine what help may be available to start rebuilding their lives. I will continue to work with FEMA and other federal agencies to make sure that housing and all other possible forms of federal assistance are made available to storm victims.

There are also two Disaster Recovery Centers open for individuals to visit with federal representatives about assistance; one at Lincoln Jackson Elementary School at 206 Alphon in Clovis and the other at Logan Senior Center at 103 South 6th Street in Logan.”

Many of us kick off spring with the mantra, "Out with the old and in with the new." However, in this era of heightened environmental awareness, many of us are realizing that "out with the old" does NOT have to mean dozens of trips to the dump. In fact, Goodwill Industries of New Mexico can make treasure out of your old stuff.

Most of what is donated to Goodwill is marked for resale in their numerous retail centers around New Mexico. This year, Goodwill has already accepted donations from more than 44,000 citizens, and processed almost 1 million items for resale in its stores.

While Goodwill resells items that are in usable condition, it recycles the items that it cannot turn around in its stores.

Since January, Goodwill has recycled 3,600 pounds of shoes; 67,860 pounds of books; 26,000 pounds of metal; 6,440 pounds of cardboard; and 428,900 pounds of textiles. Most of this would have otherwise landed in your local landfill.

Goodwill is a great success story, not only for the jobs it provides in our communities, but for its service as an earth-friendly community partner.

Beyond Goodwill, I encourage everyone learn how they can take advantage of recycling opportunities by visiting the New Mexico Recycling Coalition. This nonprofit organization can show you how you, your family, and community families can take part in recycling and conservation efforts.

This spring, young scientists and researchers are sprouting across New Mexico!

Two-thousand teens from around the state competed last month in Albuquerque as part of the New Mexico MESA Jamboree. The MESA team from Rio Grande High in Albuquerque received the award of best project, which included college scholarships for members of its team.

Meanwhile, nine other young New Mexico scientists will compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair which will be hosted this May by New Mexico. These young scientists were recently selected for outstanding achievement at the Central New Mexico Science and Engineering Research Challenge.

Congratulations are in order for:

Christian Hammond of Rio Rancho High School, Tyrus Sanders of West Mesa High School and Quinton Smith of La Cueva High School who teamed up to develop an innovative computer stock trading program;

Stephen Bergen of St. Pius X High School who devised new techniques for identifying chemicals in sample material;

Susannah Clary of Los Lunas High School, who continues to perfect a technique to determine fish gender. Because of her ingenuity, 15-year-old Clary is already working with the Canadian fishing industry;

Erika DeBenedictis of St. Pius X High School for her work on finding better uses older computers;

Hang Richard Zou of Albuquerque Academy for his medical research concerning green tea's effect on cancer patients; and

Sam Boling of Manzano High School, who, with William Laub of Eldorado High School, worked on a mathematical solution to improve crate packing in airplane cargo compartments.

As we look to assure future American competitiveness, we can look to these young New Mexicans as inspiration. Their work will help keep New Mexico at the cutting edge of research, science, and innovation!

It is a great honor to again have young people honored in my name this year by the YMCA of Central New Mexico and Character Counts!

Eight Albuquerque teenagers were recent recipients of the 2007 "Pete Domenici Character Counts Citizenship" awards. They were selected by YMCA staff for their commitment to community service, mentorship abilities, and overall attitudes toward helping YMCA use Character Counts to improve its programs.

Congratulations to:

Austin Keller, 8th grade, Hoover Middle School

Victoria "Blue" Lopez, 9th grade, Eldorado High School

Alexis Madrid, 7th grade, Hoover Middle School

Danielle Mai, 9th grade, Sandia High School

Emily Peter, 12th grade, Sandia High School

Courtenay Richey, 6th grade, Grant Middle School

Ally Stapleton, 11th grade, Manzano High School

Brandain Reeders, 8th grade, Grant Middle School

I also want to give a big pat on the back to the administration, staff, and students at Albuquerque Public Schools. Crime on APS campuses went down 15 percent last year, which school leaders partially credit to the Character Counts program and the lessons it teaches.

Character Counts is an educational initiative which I helped to launch 12 years ago. Used in most New Mexico classrooms, the program helps young people and adults understand and exemplify the six pillars of good character: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, citizenship, and caring.

I am happy to congratulate the fine young men and women who were recently crowned champions at the state high school basketball tournament.

In the girls' tournament, teams from Cimarron, Texico, Hope Christian, Aztec, and Mayfield battled their way to winner's circle.

Gateway Christian, Mesilla Valley, St. Michael's, St. Pius, and Rio Rancho were the victors in the boys' division.

Congratulations to this year's champions on a hard fought competition. Being a successful student-athlete requires a lot of time and effort. I commend them for their fine example of sportsmanship.

The United States is moving forward with a plan to issue new high-tech passports this year. The proposed U.S. Electronic Passport is the same as a regular passport, but with the addition of a small computer chip embedded in the back cover. The chip will securely store the same data visually displayed on the photo page of the passport, and will include a digital photograph.

The inclusion of the digital photograph will enable biometric comparison through the use of facial recognition technology at international borders. The U.S. "e-passport" will also have a new look, incorporating additional anti-fraud and security features.   For more information on e-passports click here.

The 136 modern utility-scale wind turbines near Fort Sumner can produce enough electricity to supply 94,000 average New Mexico homes.