[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 53 (Wednesday, May 3, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H2415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BRAIN TUMOR AWARENESS WEEK

  (Mr. ROTHMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, this is Brain Tumor Awareness Week. Each 
year, over 100,000 people in the United States alone will be diagnosed 
with a brain tumor. Unfortunately, the general public is not that 
familiar with this disease. Brain tumors are the second leading cause 
of cancer death for children under 19, the third leading cause of 
cancer death for young adults ages 20 to 39.
  Brain tumors attack the essence of what it means to be an individual. 
They ravage the control center for thought, emotion, and movement. The 
developing minds of children are especially susceptible.
  There are over 100 different types of brain cancers, making effective 
treatments very complicated and expensive. There is no proven cure for 
most malignant brain tumors. Congress needs to appropriate increased 
funding for the National Cancer Institute and provide a strong 
investment in brain tumor research. We need to give patients as many 
options as possible to ensure quality cancer care and improve long-term 
survival.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to educate themselves about brain 
tumors, and as we head into the heart of the appropriation season, to 
support increased funding for the National Cancer Institute.

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