[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 12, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H3032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL MEN'S HEALTH WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Grucci). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to 
acknowledge the kickoff of National Men's Health Week as we lead up to 
the celebration of Father's Day on June 17, 2001.
  The importance of this special week is to raise national awareness 
among men relative to issues affecting our well-being. As men, Mr. 
Speaker, we play many roles in society, such as husbands, fathers, 
brothers, bread winners, Congressmen, Presidents, and more importantly 
co-partners in families and in some instances heads of families. None 
of the roles mentioned above are mutually exclusive. Rather, they are 
all part of an integrated whole.
  Some of us are very comfortable in each role. Others may find it 
difficult handling the presence and pressures associated with so many 
roles. Therefore, as we deal with National Men's Health Week, which is 
designed to promote health among men and to address a broad range of 
issues regardless of roles or status, let us be mindful that this is 
not an egotistical approach to elicit gender competition, but it is 
simply a reminder that we should all pay attention to problems that are 
gender specific.
  If we are not healthy, we cannot be the best husbands, fathers, or 
productive citizens that are vital to help keep our society going. 
Today, men suffer from some alarming health statistics. It is common 
knowledge that heart disease is the leading cause of death among men in 
the United States.
  The life expectancy of men is much lower than that of women by at 
least 7 years. Currently men represent 84 percent of all AIDS cases in 
the United States. In the African-American community, HIV/AIDS is 
spreading like wildfire. A recent survey revealed an increased 
infection rate of 4.4 percent for young gay men. The rates ranged from 
2.5 percent all the way up to 14.7 percent among gay black men. In 
Chicago alone, gay men account for 53 percent of HIV/AIDS cases. Public 
health officials say that they are seeing disturbing trends of reckless 
behavior.
  Another sad statistic is the mortality rate for African Americans 
from all types of cancer. It is 68 percent higher than for any other 
group. There are many other types of ailments that afflict us, such as 
high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, excessive accidents on the road.
  Well, as one can see very well, the problems are there. The odds seem 
to be against men. But I assure my colleagues that an ounce of 
prevention is worth much more than 1,000 remedies.
  So I would urge all men not to wait until it is too late to bring 
into our lives the proper balance of health care. We can all have a 
better life. If that is not possible, we can all certainly make life 
more bearable.
  I urge all men to take time to reflect on the value of your life, on 
the well-being of yourself, and the ripple effect that it can have on 
all of the roles that you play and the lives of all the people with 
whom you come into contact. Should your health, your state of mind, 
your stress level or anything else be of concern that requires 
attention, please consult your physician, seek assistance at your 
earliest convenience.
  Let us celebrate Father's Day in good health as we celebrate this 
week dedicated to improving the health, not only of all of our 
citizens, but especially the health of men who oftentimes do not look 
or pay as much attention to themselves.
  I also take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to indicate support for 
the efforts and activities of individuals, organizations, institutions 
and other entities that are designed to honor fatherhood on Father's 
Day, especially when we look at statistics which suggest that children 
who are raised without their fathers account for 63 percent of youth 
suicides, 71 percent of pregnant teenagers, 90 percent of homeless and 
runaway children, 85 percent of behavior disorders.
  As my colleagues can see, Mr. Speaker, all of these problems are 
seriously affecting not only the lives of individuals, but the lives of 
people in our country.

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