[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 102 (Thursday, July 11, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S7785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ARMY BREAST CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAM

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, during the past 4 years, I have 
stood on the floor of the Senate many times to express my strong 
committment for Federal support of breast cancer research. I have been 
joined by colleagues from both sides of the aisle, many whose lives 
have been personally touched by this deadly disease. Our voices have 
joined the millions of American families who have known all too well 
the real consequences of this indiscriminate killer.
  In 1992, the Members of this Chamber heeded the message we sent about 
the inadequacies of Federal dollars provided to researchers to find the 
causes and cure of breast cancer. It was then that Senator Harkin and I 
successfully transfered $210 million from star wars to the Army Breast 
Cancer Research Program at the Department of Defense. Despite some 
formidable forces, an additional $250 million has been appropriated for 
this successful program in the 4 years since that time.
  This year, I rise to thank my colleagues for their continued support 
of the Army Breast Cancer Research Program, particularly Senator 
Stevens for his leadership as the chairman of the Appropriations 
Subcommittee on Defense. When we first began circulating the letter of 
support for the Army Breast Cancer Program to Members of the Senate, we 
were encouraged by the number of Senators who supported the program. 
But when we completed the process, we were extremely excited by the 
extraordinary support expressed by 54 Senators, the largest number 
since the birth of this program.
  Continued funding for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Program 
is more critical now than ever. Over the past 2 years, there have been 
incredible discoveries at a very rapid rate that offer fascinating 
insights into the biology of breast cancer, such as the isolation of 
breast cancer susceptibility genes, and discoveries about the basic 
mechanism of cancer cells. These discoveries have brought into sharp 
focus the areas of research that hold promise and will build on the 
knowledge and investment we have made. The Army Breast Cancer Research 
Program has provided researchers with the tools to make these 
tremendous breakthroughs.

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