Tobacco foes put pressure on DeLay

HoustonChronicle.com - Tobacco foes put pressure on DeLay: "The target of Faith United's campaign is U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who led the opposition to kill a bill last year that would have required tobacco to be regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said the Rev. Randy Smith, the coalition's spokesman. Smith, who pastors the Deer Park church, is also president of the Texas Conference of Churches.

The bill, which has been reintroduced this session, died in committee in the House last year but passed 78 to 18 in the U.S. Senate.

'This is a value issue that the faith community is united on, regardless of whether they are mainline, Jewish, Muslim, Orthodox or what,' Smith said.

A letter to DeLay signed by coalition organizers Wednesday said: 'As Majority Leader, you have the influence and ability to bring about positive change on behalf of America's children, and all of our country. It is our hope that you will support this legislation.'"