[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      STAMP OUT BREAST CANCER ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 1997

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support 
for H.R. 1585, the Stamp Out Breast Cancer Act. The bill would 
authorize the Postal Service to establish a special postage stamp, 
priced one cent above the price of ordinary first class postage, the 
revenues from which would go toward the research of breast cancer. 
Seventy percent of the profits would go to the breast cancer research 
at the National Institutes of Health, and the remaining 30 percent 
would go to the Defense Department where breast cancer research is also 
conducted.
  The importance of breast cancer research cannot be over-emphasized. 
More than 1.8 million women in America have been diagnosed with cancer. 
Each year, nearly 50,000 die. Although medical research and greater 
public awareness have gone a long way toward improving these 
statistics, through early detection and more effective treatment, the 
challenge still remains. As you may know, I have long been a strong 
supporter of legislation that helped promote breast cancer research and 
treatment. In the 104th Congress I cosponsored a bill that provided 
Medicare coverage for annual screening of cancer for women over the age 
of 65. I also supported H.R. 418, the Breast Cancer Early Detection 
Act, which required Medicare to cover annual mammograms for women over 
the age of 65.
  Now, in the 105th Congress, I rise in support of the Stamp Out Breast 
Cancer Act, an innovative and effective weapon in the battle against 
breast cancer. The act deserves special praise in two particular 
aspects. First, the act insures that Federal support for breast cancer 
research is not decreased, offsetting the increased funds raised 
through the special postage rate. Second, the act helps increase public 
awareness and involvement in this worthy cause by allowing them to make 
voluntary contributions to breast cancer research through their 
purchase of the stamp. Once again, I state my unwavering support of the 
Stamp Out Breast Cancer Act and urge my fellow Members of Congress to 
do likewise.

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