[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 5, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5791-S5792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  The 1996 NATIONAL RACE FOR THE CURE

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, along with several of my colleagues, I 
rise today to commend the many people helping to conduct our fight 
against breast cancer and to promote participation in an event that has 
increased

[[Page S5792]]

in stature each year it has been held: the National Race for the Cure.
  Saturday morning, June 15, several thousand people will gather down 
on the mall near the Washington Monument to compete in the 1996 
National Race for the Cure, either by participating in a 5 kilometer 
run or a one mile walk. The purpose of this race is to help raise money 
for and focus attention on breast cancer, one of the major threats to 
the lives and health of women in this country. Numerous corporations 
have made financial and in-kind contributions to help support this 
event--including several Michigan corporations such as Kelloggs, 
General Motors and Ford--and they are to be commended for their 
generosity and dedication. Also, the U.S. Postal Service will be 
unveiling a stamp promoting early detection and treatment of breast 
cancer.
  The race is put together by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 
Foundation, the largest private funder of research dedicated solely to 
breast cancer in the U.S. Efforts such as the Race for the Cure and 
other events held in 67 cities in 35 States and the District of 
Columbia enable the Susan G. Komen Foundation to fight breast cancer 
through a combination of research advocacy, education, screening and 
treatment.
  We are on the edge of crucial breakthroughs in the area of breast 
cancer research and treatment. For instance, researchers at the Human 
Genome Project at the National Institutes of Health have located the 
section of the gene that they believe dictates the genetic and 
hereditary nature of breast cancer. The efforts of private 
organizations such as the Komen Foundation, when combined with the work 
done through Federal agencies such as NIH, increase the real likelihood 
that a cure for breast cancer will be discovered in the foreseeable 
future.
  Breast cancer education and activism are not new to the Abraham 
family. Ever since my Mother's death back in 1982 from breast cancer, 
our family has been involved in efforts to heighten awareness and 
promote early detection of this devastating disease. Among our recent 
activities, just last month, my wife Jane and I participated in the 
Michigan Race for the Cure. Jane is also serving on the Congressional 
Committee for the National Race for the Cure being held next Saturday.
  Too often it takes the loss of someone close and dear to one's heart 
to properly focus our attention and energy on spreading the word about 
silent killers like breast cancer. That is why it is critical for those 
of us who have experienced the tragedy of breast cancer to speak out 
and inform women--and men--of the dangers of ignorance and 
procrastination.
  And it is vital that men become involved in this issue as well, 
reminding their mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters of the 
importance of early detection and treatment. It is only through such 
efforts that we can see to it that people no longer have to lose a 
loved one before learning the bitter truth about this devastating and 
deadly illness.
  Once again, I want to commend everyone involved in putting together 
this year's race. I urge Members and their staff to participate in the 
race itself and to provide support to the broader cause of increasing 
education, treatment and research in the battle against breast cancer.

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