[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 24, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       NATIONAL MEN'S HEALTH WEEK

  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on 
Post Office and Civil Service be discharged from further consideration 
of the Senate joint resolution (S.J. Res. 179) to designate the week of 
June 12 through 19, 1994, as ``National Men's Health Week,'' and ask 
for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate joint resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, and I do not 
object, I wish to inform the House that the minority has no objection 
to the legislation now being considered.
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House passed 
legislation today to designate June 12 through 19, 1994, as ``National 
Men's Health Week.'' As we consider health care reform, prevention and 
early detection of disease will become increasingly important in saving 
health care dollars. The shift to prevention requires not only changes 
in the health care system, but also an awareness by the American public 
of the importance of regular visits to their physicians.
  Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, afflicting 1 out of 
every 11 American men and killing 34,000 men every year. For African-
American men, the rate of affliction is even worse; African-American 
men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the world. In the 
past 5 years, the death rate for prostate cancer has grown at almost 
twice the death rate of breast cancer.
  Prostate cancer and many other health problems affecting men could be 
avoided if men's awareness of health screening tests were increased. 
Heightening the awareness of preventable health problems and increasing 
early detection and treatment of disease would significantly improve 
our Nation's health, as well as save limited health care dollars.
  Recognizing and preventing men's health problems is not just a man's 
issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, 
men's health is truly a family issue.
  I thank the chairman, Mr. Clay, for bringing this legislation to 
designate men's health week forward. I also thank my colleagues for 
cosponsoring this vital legislation. I especially thank Mr. Jimmy Boyd 
of the men's health network for his tireless efforts on behalf of this 
legislation.
  This legislation is important as it will help to raise awareness of 
these important issues. I am pleased that the House has sent this 
positive message today.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the Senate joint resolution, as follows:

                             S.J. Res. 179

       Whereas despite the advances in medical technology and 
     research, men continue to live an average of 7 years less 
     than women;
       Whereas the likelihood that a man will develop prostate 
     cancer is 1 in 11;
       Whereas the number of men contracting prostate cancer will 
     reach over 120,000 in 1993, with an expected one-third of the 
     cases to die from the disease;
       Whereas testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers 
     in men aged 15-34, and when detected early, has an 87 percent 
     survival rate;
       Whereas the number of men contracting lung disease will 
     reach over 100,000 in 1993, with an expected 85 percent of 
     the cases to die from the disease;
       Whereas the number of cases of colon cancer among men will 
     reach over 80,000 in 1993; with nearly one-third of the cases 
     to die from the disease;
       Whereas the death rate for prostate cancer has grown at 
     almost twice the death rate of breast cancer in the last five 
     years;
       Whereas African-American men in the United States have the 
     highest incidence in the world of cancer of the prostate;
       Whereas men are seven times as likely as women to be 
     arrested for drunk driving and three times as likely to be 
     alcoholics;
       Whereas women visit the doctor 150 percent as often as men, 
     enabling them to detect health problems in their early 
     stages;
       Whereas significant numbers of male related health problems 
     such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, infertility, and 
     colon cancer, could be detected and treated if men's 
     awareness of these problems was more pervasive;
       Whereas educating both the public and health care providers 
     about the importance of early detection of male health 
     problems will result in reducing rates of mortality for these 
     diseases;
       Whereas appropriate use of tests such as Prostate Specific 
     Antigen (PSA) exams, blood pressure screens, cholesterol 
     screens, etc., in conjunction with clinical examination and 
     self-testing for problems such as testicular cancer can 
     result in the detection of many of these problems in their 
     early stages and increases in the survival rates to nearly 
     100 percent;
       Whereas many men are reluctant to visit their health center 
     or physician for regular screening examinations of male 
     related problems for a variety of reasons including fear, 
     lack of information, and cost factors; and
       Whereas men who are educated about the value that 
     preventive health can play in prolonging their lifespan and 
     their role as a productive family member will be more likely 
     to participate in health screenings; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That June 12 
     through 19, 1994, is designated as National Men's Health 
     Week, and the President is authorized and requested to issue 
     a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States 
     to observe this week with appropriate programs and 
     activities.

  The Senate joint resolution was ordered to be read a third time, was 
read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on 
the table.

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