SURGEON GENERAL MOTIVATES YOUTHS

U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona called on his own experiences as a
young Latino of Puerto Rican descent growing up on the streets of Harlem as
he spoke Tuesday at Kennedy High School about how alcohol and tobacco abuse
had touched his family.

Through stories of his own youth, Carmona shared with hundreds of mostly
Mexican American high school students that he was no different from any
other inner-city kid who felt, growing up, that he had little odds of success.

Growing up in a poor New York City neighborhood, Carmona watched his
parents struggle with smoking and drinking, which made it difficult for
them to raise a family and make ends meet.

"No matter how difficult, you have the choice of not drinking and smoking,"
the highly decorated Vietnam veteran said.

Students from Kennedy, Memorial and Edison high schools said they
identified with the surgeon general's stories.

"I thought it was an inspiring speech because he had a touching childhood,
but he also showed us that we can be successful even if we live in a tough
neighborhood," said Mark Gonzalez, an 18-year-old senior at Kennedy High
School.

Carmona seldom talks about his teen years, when he followed his friends and
dropped out of high school. But he said he recognizes that dropping out of
school shaped his life.

"Fortunately for me I didn't engage in crime, but I had my abuelita
(grandmother) to bail me out because my parents couldn't get their act
together," he said.

His abuelita, who never learned English, served as a positive role model
and encouraged Carmona to break the family cycle by obtaining an education.

"She also instilled the value of our culture," the 52-year-old surgeon said.

Carmona turned his life around when he joined the Army. That opened the
doors to educational opportunities after he completed the Army's high
school equivalency diploma.

Carmona returned home and earned an associate of arts degree - he later
received his bachelor's of science and medical degrees from the University
of California at San Francisco, and became a doctor. He graduated at the
top of his class after completing a four-year program in only three years.

The 17th surgeon general urged students to overcome cultural barriers and
get educated while leading a healthy life.

"Both of my parents died of diseases related to alcohol and tobacco abuse,"
he said. "It seems as a small decision, but it will affect your life forever."

Alexis Cruz, an 18-year-old senior at Kennedy High School, said the message
inspired her to go home and encourage her grandparents to quit smoking.

"It is an expensive, bad habit," said Cruz, who wants to become a
registered nurse. "I'm glad he came because he's been there. It is not like
someone else coming here and telling you what to do without knowing. He
knows what you are going through."