138 



chance to make an opening statement if you would withhold for a 

 minute. 



Mr. Hall. 



Mr. Hall. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for the courtesy extended 

 to me and to Mr. Sandefur. On behalf of Congressman Rowland, 

 whose constituent Mr. Sandefur is, I would welcome him to the 

 committee and would request unanimous consent to put a state- 

 ment submitted by J. Roy Rowland into the hearing. 



Mr. Waxman. Without objection, that will be the order. 



Mr. Hall. Thank you. 



[The prepared statement of Hon. J. Roy Rowland follows:] 



Statement of Hon. J. Roy Rowland 



I am pleased to welcome Tommy Sandefur, chairman and chief executive officer 

 of Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, the Nation's third largest tobacco com- 

 pany. Brown & Williamson is one of the largest employers in my congressiontd dis- 

 trict with over 2,000 workers at its Macon manufacturing facility. 



Mr. Sandefur is a native Georgian from Perry and a graduate of Georgia Southern 

 College. 



As you know, I have announced my retirement from Congress this year after IIV2 

 years on Capitol Hill. I have no personal or political motivation in my remarks here. 



Tommy Sandefur is being asked to appear today to discuss a series of issues relat- 

 ed to nicotine, smoking, and health. I hope that the testimony and the questions 

 surrounding the testimony will be conducted in a tone of civility and mutual respect. 

 Since I am a medical doctor, and a member of this subcommittee, and the fact that 

 one of the largest employers in my district is a tobacco company puts me in a 

 unique position. 



I will also point out that the manufacture, sale, and distribution of tobacco prod- 

 ucts is a lawful activity in this and other countries. While I might discourage indi- 

 viduals from smoking, more than 45 million Americans use tobacco products. 



As a major employer in my district, there are some things about Brown & 

 Williamson related to the impact this facility has in middle Georgia in terms of em- 

 ployment and community impact that are important. 



The manufacturing facility at Macon began production in 1977. Since then the fa- 

 cility has grown to about 2,200 employees. This makes Brown & Williamson the 

 largest private employer in the Macon area. The economic impact of the facility at 

 Macon is more than $180 million annually. Statewide, the plant makes contribu- 

 tions in payroll, taxes, purchases, and civic support of more than $425 million. It 

 is my understanding that contributions to the United Negro College Fund through 

 the employee payroll deduction plan is also the highest of any company in the Na- 

 tion. 



While there is controversy about tobacco, Brown & Williamson has been a fine 

 employer in my district, not only treating its employees fairly but supporting many 

 social and civic causes in Macon. 



So, Mr. Chairman, I welcome Mr. Sandefur today and express my good wishes to 

 him and his employees in Macon. 



Mr. Waxman. Mr. Sandefur, we have your prepared statement. 

 We would make that part of the record in full. I want to recognize 

 you to proceed with your testimony and to tell you that as much 

 time as you will need to present that testimony will be accorded 

 to you. 



STATEMENT OF THOMAS E. SANDEFUR, JR., CHAIRMAN AND 

 CEO, BROWN & Wn^LIAMSON TOBACCO CORPORATION, AC- 

 COMPANIED BY GORDON A. SMITH, AND GRIFFIN B. BELL, 

 KING & SPALDING, ATLANTA, GA 



Mr. Sandefur. I appreciate that, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman 

 and members of the subcommittee. On behalf of Brown & 

 Williamson Tobacco Corporation, I'm certainly glad to have the op- 



