[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 5, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5788-S5789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL RACE FOR THE CURE DAY

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of Senate Resolution 
257, designating June 15, 1996, as ``National Race for the Cure Day,'' 
and that the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 257) to designate June 15, 1996, as 
     ``National Race for the Cure Day.''

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today I join my distinguished colleagues in 
urging all of our colleagues, their staff, families, and friends, to 
join the thousands of individuals who will participate in this year's 
Race for the Cure. In years past, my wife and I have eagerly joined the 
throngs of people of all ages who run or walk, are pushed in strollers 
or push themselves in wheelchairs, who share one common goal: helping 
to raise money so that a cure can be found for the disease that has 
taken the lives of nearly 1 million of our sisters, daughters, wives, 
and mothers during the past 35 years. This has been one of the most 
important events in which we have participated over the years.
  Since 1992, I have fought for increased funding for breast cancer 
because as lawmakers, it is our responsibility to provide the tools 
researchers need to find a cure. Many of us find ourselves fighting 
this insidious disease in our daily jobs, as lawmakers, scientists, 
researchers, doctors, and advocates. But as a husband, father, and 
friend, this race has been another way for me to show my support of the 
urgent need to stop the spread of breast cancer, of the courageous 
women who fought this disease and won, and finally, to honor the strong 
women who were simply unable to overcome the power of this disease.
  I hope that everyone will heed the messages presented on the floor of 
the Senate and participate in this important event.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I am proud to be here again this year, 
joining my colleagues in the Senate to talk about the National Race for 
the Cure. This important event underscores the critical need to raise 
awareness about breast cancer, and the need to support research and 
education about this frightening disease.
  We have heard the numbers and seen the statistics. Each year breast 
cancer strikes 184,000 women, and kills an estimated 45,000. Far too 
many have died from this disease, and the list includes many of my own 
friends and relatives. We all can agree that more must be done to 
educate women about the risks, prevention, and treatment of breast 
cancer. I can tell you that, as a woman, the mixed messages we receive 
are frustrating and dangerous.
  We hear conflicting advice about when to have a mammogram--one year 
it's at age 40 then next it's at age 50--we need consistent, accurate 
information or else women will continue to die. Studies show that early 
detection and proper treatment could save the lives of 9 out of 10 
women with breast cancer--that's 90 percent, Mr. President. These 
numbers are too serious to ignore.
  We must do all we can to encourage education and awareness about how 
we can protect ourselves and our daughters from the tragedy of breast 
cancer. For this reason, the Race for the Cure is so very important; 
the D.C. race is

[[Page S5789]]

the largest 5-kilometer race in the country--35,000 participants are 
expected to run, walk, and roller blade this year. This is a day to 
draw national attention to this disease; throughout the year races will 
be taking place in cities across the country to turn the spotlight on 
this critical women's health issue. Of course 1 day is not enough, but 
it's a good place to start and it's an important reminder for all of 
us.
  I want to encourage my colleagues to participate, as well as people 
all over the country. As it happens, today and tomorrow are Capitol 
Hill registration days. I am proud to say my office has put together a 
team and will be participating in the race. I urge everyone to do the 
same.
  Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to thank Senator Bradley 
for his passionate and personal commitment to addressing women's health 
issues. I appreciate his leadership and dedication to supporting the 
National Race for the Cure.
  I also want to briefly thank Senator Ford for submitting the 
resolution to designate June 15 ``National Race for the Cure Day.'' I 
am proud to join him as a cosponsor of this resolution and for 
recognizing the importance of the Race for the Cure in the battle 
against breast cancer.
  Breast cancer, while predominantly a woman's health issue, does 
affect men and it certainly can devastate an entire family. We must do 
all that we can to protect ourselves and our families from having to 
endure the tragedy of this disease. The National Race for the Cure is 
an ideal way to join the fight against breast cancer. I thank my 
colleagues for recognizing that.


           No Backsliding on Finding a Cure for Breast Cancer

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
expressing support for an increased effort to find a cure for breast 
cancer and for the Race for the Cure which will take place on June 15.
  Every 3 minutes an American woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.
  Every 12 minutes an American woman dies of breast cancer.
  Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. 
The incidence is rising each year.
  This year, 184,300 new cases will be diagnosed and 44,300 women will 
die from breast cancer. In California this year, 17,100 new cases of 
female breast cancer will be diagnosed and 4,100 California women will 
die.
  Even though the Federal Government has spent almost $1.5 billion on 
breast cancer research in the last 20 years and Federal funding has 
quadrupled since 1990, we still do not have a cure. The annual race is 
an important event, bringing public attention to the need to continue 
the drive. It gives us all a way to keep up the momentum toward a cure.
  Breast cancer is not just a woman's disease. It also can afflict men. 
In addition, when a woman has breast cancer, her whole family is 
affected. Everyone must cope with the trauma, physical, and 
psychological.
  Women today must sort through many confusing messages. There is 
confusion about who should have a mammogram and how frequently. There 
is confusion about treatment options, like mastectomy versus 
lumpectomy, radiation versus chemotherapy.
  To help families better understand the disease, their options and 
research trends, the Senate Cancer Coalition which I chair with Senator 
Mack, is holding a hearing on June 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. in room 106 
Dirksen. Experts will discuss the controversies surrounding frequency 
of mammograms and treatment choices. We will look at what the Federal 
research dollar has accomplished and the direction research should now 
take. We will examine the obstacles families face in getting good 
information and making informed decisions.
  Breast cancer is a devastating disease. I commend my colleagues for 
coming to the Senate floor today to express their concern and to stress 
the importance of continuing the Federal research race for the cure. 
This is an important role the Federal Government can play and one in 
which I am proud to participate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the resolution and preamble 
are agreed to.
  The resolution (S. Res. 257) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                              S. Res. 257

       Whereas breast cancer strikes an estimated 184,000 women 
     and 1,000 men in the United States annually;
       Whereas breast cancer will kill 44,300 women in the United 
     States alone this year;
       Whereas breast cancer is the leading cause of death for 
     women between the ages of 35 and 54;
       Whereas death rates resulting from breast cancer could be 
     substantially decreased if women were informed about the 
     risks of contracting the cancer and if they receive 
     mammograms on a regular basis;
       Whereas the Race for the Cure is dedicated to eradicating 
     breast cancer through providing funding for research, 
     education, treatment, and screening for low-income women;
       Whereas throughout the year, almost 340,000 participants in 
     65 cities across the United States (including the first-time 
     host cities of Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Cheyenne, Sacramento, 
     Battle Creek, Baton Rouge, and Louisville) will join together 
     in Races for the Cure to demonstrate their commitment to 
     fighting breast cancer;
       Whereas the National Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C., 
     is the largest 5 kilometer race in the country, with over 
     35,000 walkers, runners, and in-line skaters expected to 
     participate this year; and
       Whereas the Seventh National Race for the Cure is to be 
     held on Saturday, June 15, 1996, in Washington, D.C.: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate designates Saturday, June 15, 
     1996, as ``National Race for the Cure Day''. The President is 
     authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon 
     the people of the United States to observe the day with 
     appropriate programs and activities.

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to 
lay that motion on the table.
  The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.
  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that two of our 
colleagues be added as cosponsors, Senator Coverdell and Senator Kohl.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I believe it would be in order to leave the 
resolution at the desk until 5 o'clock today so any other Senator that 
might want to be a cosponsor can do so.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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