61.  Illinois, where Sen. Paul Simon (D) is retiring, became the first state to elect a black Democrat to the Senate in 1992.

62.  In 1978, Tennessee became the first state to require safety seats for children traveling in automobiles.

63.  In 1988, New York became the first state to regulate interns' and residents' working conditions, and the changes went into effect a year later.

64.  In 1994, New Jersey became the first state to enact a community notification law.

65.  In 1997, Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to try to utilize consumer protection regulations to enforce handgun safety.

66.  Illinois is the first state to enact legislation that lets state commissions enforce such agreements.

67.  In 1985, Arizona became the first state to pass a law making money laundering a racketeering crime, increasing possible penalties and allowing wider property seizures.

68.  In 1990, Washington became the first state to pass a sexual predator law.

69.  In 1992, it became the first state to require them to attend treatment as a condition of receiving welfare.

70.  In 1994, Oregonians passionately debated and narrowly approved a measure making theirs the first state to legalize physician-assisted suicide.