Ronald Reagan

“ In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and ninth. ”

“ More than 17 million people have chronic lung diseases, and an estimated 225,000 Americans will die this year from them. The cost to this Nation is nearly $30 billion in medical expenses and lost wages, and untold millions more in lost productivity.
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis afflict ten million Americans. Asthma affects another seven million people, two million of whom are children. Before the end of this decade, lung cancer will have surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths among American women. ”

“ This year, 60 million homes will receive Christmas Seals. The funds raised through the sale of Christmas Seals have enabled the ALA to provide many millions of dollars for research programs on the prevention and control of lung diseases. Christmas Seals also have allowed the ALA to conduct vigorous public campaigns against air pollution and cigarette smoking. The use of Christmas Seals on holiday mail is a visible reminder that chronic lung diseases remain a serious public health problem, but one that can be in large part prevented through research and public education. ”