[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 101 (Tuesday, June 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           TRIBUTE TO DR. SELINA SMITH: ADVOCATE AND EDUCATOR

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                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 1995
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise 
today to recognize a truly remarkable woman. Dr. Selina Smith is a 
nutritionist who has dedicated 15 years to furthering research which 
links dietary habits to breast and cervical cancer. Her tenure in 
academia, the American Cancer Society, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer 
Research Center will have long-range impact on the lives of an 
estimated 13,500 women stricken with cancer every year.
  Dr. Smith's recent endeavors include a free clinic at the Rainbow 
Village housing complex in Overtown which provides free breast and 
cervical screenings to poor women. Additionally, Dr. Smith currently 
hosts and produces ``Witnessing,'' a 12-part cable program aimed at 
informing highly at-risk populations of breast and cervical cancer.
  ``Witnessing'' and the free screening clinic in Overtown are the 
latest attempts at health care outreach to traditionally underserved 
women in Dade County. Her work is of utmost importance in the African-
American community where mortality rates for breast and cervical cancer 
far exceed the mortality rates within other communities.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Smith is also a cancer survivor. Seven of ten women 
in her family have been afflicted by breast cancer. Dr. Smith, herself, 
is currently receiving chemotherapy treatments. Perhaps, it is because 
this disease has affected Dr. Smith's life with such frequency and 
proximity that she is able to be such an exemplary advocate and 
educator for women at risk and women with cancer.
  Dr. Smith knows that cancer is beatable. Her self-described mission 
is encapsulated in the following quote: ``Hopefully, women will see me 
and not equate cancer with death. Hopefully, I can ease some of the 
fears.'' Dr. Smith's efforts at educating and empowering women will 
greatly reduce the chances of cancer affecting the lives of someone we 
know. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Dr. Selina Smith for her 
achievements, and I urge my colleagues to join me in recognition and 
enthusiastic support of this truly courageous and enspiring woman.


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