[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 49 (Monday, April 12, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E605-E606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         A TRIBUTE TO JOE TORRE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. AMO HOUGHTON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 12, 1999

  Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to recognize a hero. His 
team has won the World Series in two of the last three years (1996 and 
1998). Last year he managed perhaps the greatest team in history, 
winning 114 regular season games (out of 162) and 125 overall. And 
after these victories, he said, ``As far as the hunger and desire, I'll 
walk away from this game before I think I don't have to work hard.'' 
And that man is the New York Yankees' 31st Field Manager, Joe Torre.
  But, Mr. Speaker, Joe Torre is a hero in another field as well, in 
the health arena, as a patient winning his fight against prostate 
cancer. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death 
among men, with over 80% of all cases occurring in men over 65. 
African-American men tend to be diagnosed with the disease at later 
stages and to die from prostate cancer at a higher rate than do white 
men. Joe Torre was diagnosed by a screening exam that was conducted for 
the entire Yankee team.
  Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed non-skin cancer in the US. In 
1999, prostate cancer will kill an estimated 37,000 men in the US. In 
1999, 179,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the US.
  The most important thing to do is to catch the cancer early. 
Generally, the earlier the stage of cancer at the time of detection, 
the higher the survival rate. Prostate-specific antigen screening PSA 
blood test and digital rectal examination (DRE) of the prostate gland 
are the most common of detection methods. The American Cancer Society 
recommends annual PSAs and DREs, to men aged 50 and older with at least 
a ten year life expectancy, and to younger men at higher risk, such as 
African-American men or men with a strong familial pre-disposition to 
prostate cancer.
  Thankfully, for Joe Torre, this annual screening process detected the 
disease in its

[[Page E606]]

early stages, so he has great chances of defeating this terrible 
disease. Doctors say they expect a full recovery. On behalf of the men 
who can be similarly helped, I encourage all men, starting around age 
50, to have a regular exam annually. And I'd also like to encourage my 
colleagues to support the continuation of sufficient funding for 
research into the causes and cures for prostate cancer.

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