[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 45 (Tuesday, April 11, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2529-S2530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Baucus, Mr. 
        Murkowski, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Smith of 
        Oregon, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Edwards, 
        Mr. Campbell, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Feingold, Mr. 
        Santorum, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Wellstone, Mr. Bingaman, 
        Mr. Moynihan, Mr. Hatch, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Biden, Mr. 
        Mack, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Ashcroft, Mr. Bryan, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. 
        Boxer, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Reid, Mr. Breaux, Mr. Dodd, Mr. 
        Lieberman, Mr. Kerrey, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Jeffords, and Mr. 
        Roth):
  S. 2386. A bill to extend the Stamp out Breast Cancer Act; to the 
Committee on Governmental Affairs.


        breast cancer research stamp reauthorization act of 2000

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the bill entitled 
the Breast Cancer Research Stamps Reauthorization Act of 2000. I am 
pleased that Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has joined me as the lead 
cosponsor.
  The Breast Cancer Research stamp is the first stamp in our nation's 
history

[[Page S2530]]

dedicated to raising funds for a special cause. Since the stamp's 
issuance in the summer of 1998, the U.S. Postal Service has sold 164 
million Breast Cancer Research stamps--raising over $12 million for 
breast cancer research. In addition, the stamp has focused public 
awareness on the devastating disease and has stood out as a beacon of 
hope and strength around which breast-cancer survivors can rally.
  Unfortunately, without congressional action, the Breast Cancer 
Research stamp will expire on July 28, 2000. The Breast Cancer Research 
Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2000 would permit the sale of the Breast 
Cancer Research stamp for 2 additional years. The stamp would continue 
to cost 40 cents and sell as a first class stamp. The extra money 
collected will be directed to breast cancer research at the National 
Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.
  A Breast Cancer Research stamp remains just as necessary today as 2 
years ago. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among 
women in every major ethnic group in the United States. More than 2 
million women are living with breast cancer in America, 1 million of 
whom have yet to be diagnosed.
  Breast cancer continues to be the number one cancer killer of women 
between the ages of 15 and 54. This year alone, 182,800 women will be 
diagnosed with breast cancer, and 40,800 women will die from the 
disease. The disease claims another woman's life every 15 minutes in 
the United States.
  Thanks to breakthroughs in cancer research, more and more people are 
becoming cancer survivors rather than cancer victims. According to the 
American Association for Cancer Research, 8 million people are alive 
today as a result of cancer research. The bottom line is that every 
dollar we continue to raise will save lives.
  I am pleased to report that this reauthorization bill has over 39 
original cosponsors and broad support within the health community.
  Let me just repeat a couple of the glowing comments from the many 
groups in support of this bill. It shows the truly astounding impact of 
this stamp.
  The Susan G. Komen Foundation writes:

       The Breast Cancer Research stamp has not only raised 
     millions of dollars by providing a convenient and innovative 
     mechanism for public participation in the [battle against 
     breast cancer], but it has also focused public awareness on 
     this devastating disease.

  Betsy Mullen of Women's Information Network--Against Breast Cancer 
adds:

       This bill, if passed will provide an innovative, simple and 
     now proven way for individuals to make a substantial 
     contribution to fund federal cancer research and to continue 
     to be a part of what has become an effective public-private 
     partnership.

  The American Association of Health Plan attests:

       We've heard from our physicians about women who have 
     scheduled examinations or mammograms after purchasing the 
     stamp or receiving a card or letter posted with it.

  Oliver Goldsmith, chairman of the Southern California Permanente 
Medical Group, writes:

       The Breast Cancer Research stamp captures the essence of 
     innovation, volunteerism and partnership that are such an 
     integral aspect of our country's history and spirit. This 
     vital legislation will give all of us the opportunity to 
     continue to work together to eradicate breast cancer. The 
     American people can realistically continue to raise millions 
     of dollars a year to fund cutting edge research to end this 
     rampant disease that claims the lives of all too many breast 
     cancer victims in this country and around the world.

  Other supporters of the Breast Cancer Stamp Reauthorization Act of 
2000 include the American Cancer Society, the American Medical 
Association, the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization, Leadership 
America, the National Association of Women's Health, the American 
Cancer League, the American College of Surgeons, Friends of Cancer 
Research, the California Nurses Association, the Association of 
Reproductive Health Care Professionals, and many others.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in enacting this important 
legislation.
                                 ______