[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 30, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H1722-H1725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HEMATOLOGICAL CANCER RESEARCH INVESTMENT AND EDUCATION ACT OF 2001

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 1094) to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide 
for research, information, and education with respect to blood cancer.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 1094

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

[[Page H1723]]

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Hematological Cancer 
     Research Investment and Education Act of 2001''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that:
       (1) An estimated 109,500 people in the United States will 
     be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma in 
     2001.
       (2) New cases of the blood cancers described in paragraph 
     (1) account for 8.6 percent of new cancer cases.
       (3) Those devastating blood cancers will cause the deaths 
     of an estimated 60,300 persons in the United States in 2001. 
     Every 9 minutes, a person in the United States dies from 
     leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma.
       (4) While less than 5 percent of Federal funds for cancer 
     research are spent on those blood cancers, those blood 
     cancers cause 11 percent of all cancer deaths in the United 
     States.
       (5) Increased Federal support of research into leukemia, 
     lymphoma, and multiple myeloma has resulted and will continue 
     to result in significant advances in the treatment, and 
     ultimately the cure, of those blood cancers as well as other 
     cancers.

     SEC. 3. RESEARCH, INFORMATION, AND EDUCATION WITH RESPECT TO 
                   BLOOD CANCER.

       Part C of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 285 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 
     419C the following:

     ``SEC. 417D. RESEARCH, INFORMATION, AND EDUCATION WITH 
                   RESPECT TO BLOOD CANCER.

       ``(a) Joe Moakley Research Excellence Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Director of NIH shall expand, 
     intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and 
     support of research with respect to blood cancer, and 
     particularly with respect to leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple 
     myeloma.
       ``(2) Administration.--The Director of NIH shall carry out 
     this subsection through the Director of the National Cancer 
     Institute and in collaboration with any other agencies that 
     the Director determines to be appropriate.
       ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--For the purpose of 
     carrying out this subsection, there is authorized to be 
     appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 
     2002 and each subsequent fiscal year. Such authorizations of 
     appropriations are in addition to other authorizations of 
     appropriations that are available for such purpose.
       ``(b) Geraldine Ferraro Cancer Education Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall direct the 
     appropriate agency within the Department of Health and Human 
     Services, in collaboration with the Director of NIH, to 
     establish and carry out a program to provide information and 
     education for patients and the general public with respect to 
     blood cancer, and particularly with respect to the treatment 
     of leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
       ``(2) Administration.--The Agency determined by the 
     Secretary under paragraph (1) shall carry out this subsection 
     in collaboration with private health organizations that have 
     national education and patient assistance programs on blood-
     related cancers.
       ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--For the purpose of 
     carrying out this subsection, there is authorized to be 
     appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 
     2002 and each subsequent fiscal year. Such authorizations of 
     appropriations are in addition to other authorizations of 
     appropriations that are available for such purpose.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on S. 1094, and to insert extraneous material on the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support S. 
1094, the Hematological Cancer Research Investment and Education Act, 
introduced by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson in the Senate, with a 
companion legislation in the House, H.R. 2629, introduced by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane). Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson is 
present with us today, which is an indication of how significant the 
gentlewoman considers this legislation.
  Blood cancers affect over 110,000 Americans. These devastating 
diseases are in desperate need of a cure. I am pleased to support the 
efforts of the National Institutes of Health to increase the research 
activities on these diverse cancers. Taxpayer dollars are wisely spent 
on research to help cure, and even better, prevent disease. For the 
past 5 years, Congress has committed to doubling the budget of the NIH. 
Last year alone, Congress dedicated over $23.3 billion to NIH. As we 
double the budget of any agency, we must ensure that these funds are 
appropriately focused at finding cures to our Nation's health problems.
  The Hematological Cancer Research Investment and Education Act 
ensures that the Federal Government focuses appropriate resources on 
programs to address blood cancers, particularly leukemia, lymphoma and 
multiple myeloma. In particular, the bill directs the NIH to coordinate 
all blood cancer programs under the newly named ``Joe Moakley Research 
Excellence Program.'' The bill establishes the ``Geraldine Ferraro 
Cancer Education Program,'' to provide detection and treatment options 
for blood cancers, and I might add that the former Congresswoman 
Geraldine Ferraro is with us here today.
  I thank both Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson and the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Crane) for their tireless efforts to raise public 
awareness about blood cancers. And I also recognize the health staff of 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane), Shalla Ross, who has worked 
diligently to ensure passage of this important legislation. I urge my 
colleagues to support S. 1094.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation which sets the 
stage for a coordinated Federal research effort to combat blood cancers 
and launches a patient and public education campaign to get the word 
out on these cancers.
  The death of our colleague, the esteemed Joe Moakley, raised the 
profile in this institution of leukemia and other blood cancers for all 
of us. More than 100,000 Americans will be diagnosed with blood cancers 
this year, and more than 60,000 will lose their lives to one of these 
cancers.
  Former Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro, who has joined us today, was 
diagnosed with multiple myeloma a few years ago. Since her 
announcement, she has turned a very private battle with cancer into a 
public campaign, educating Americans and policy makers, making a 
difference in their lives, educating us all about the disease and the 
need for enhanced research on cancer.
  The bill we are considering today includes two important initiatives 
in honor of these two remarkable American leaders. It establishes the 
Joe Moakley Research Excellence Program to expand and intensify NIH 
research on blood cancers; and the Geraldine Ferraro Cancer Education 
Program, which will establish education programs designed for patients 
and for their families. It is an excellent bill. I urge my colleagues 
to support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton).
  (Mr. BARTON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)

                              {time}  1715

  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
the Senate bill, S. 1094, presented in the Senate by my good friend, 
the Senator from Texas, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, who is on the 
floor with us today. Without her untiring work, we would not be here 
passing this bill on Blood Cancer Day. She has worked, I think, in a 
very positive, cooperative way. It is very rare for the Longhorns and 
the Aggies to work together, but on this bill the head Longhorn came to 
one of the head Aggies and we have made it happen.
  There are a number of other people we need to thank: Obviously, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) for allowing the bill to come on 
the suspension calendar; the full committee chairman, the gentleman 
from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin); the ranking member, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Dingell); the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown); and the 
majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey) has worked on 
this.

[[Page H1724]]

  We have a number of distinguished visitors watching the proceedings 
today, I am told, including Senator Hutchinson's brother, Alan Bailey, 
who has a form of blood cancer. We also have the distinguished former 
Congresswoman and Vice Presidential candidate, Geraldine Ferraro, who 
has fought a courageous battle against blood cancer. Kathy Guisti is 
the President of the National Myeloma Association. And, as we pointed 
out, this is named in honor of former Congressman, Joe Moakley, and 
former Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro, who is with us today.
  Various forms of blood cancer afflict over 100,000 Americans every 
year. 60,000 Americans die of the disease. It is a disease that can 
strike with sudden swiftness and extreme ferocity. Some of the more 
common forms we know of are leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. If 
you have this disease in your family, it is a heartache to have to try 
to face up to it. My brother, the late John Barton, died of liver 
cancer, so I know from a personal perspective how tragic any kind of 
cancer is.
  But with the passage of this bill that Senator Hutchinson has worked 
so hard for, we are going to begin to fight back. This would create an 
educational program, a research program, the Joe Moakley Research 
Excellence Program, and the Geraldine Ferraro Cancer Education Act. We 
can educate Americans all around the country. We can encourage the 
National Institutes of Health to provide more funding for research and 
education and outreach, and hopefully some day find a cure and find 
treatments for those that are already afflicted with the disease.
  So I want to thank my good friend from Dallas, Texas, Senator 
Hutchinson, for moving the bill, I want to thank my good friend the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), for putting it on the 
suspension calendar, and I would encourage all Members to vote for it 
in the affirmative when we are given that opportunity.


                Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Whitfield). The Chair will remind all 
Members that it is not in order to refer to a Senator visiting the 
House Chamber.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my friend, the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), who was a long-term 
colleague, friend and employee of Mr. Moakley.
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I want to first thank the gentleman from 
Florida (Chairman Bilirakis) and ranking member, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Brown), for bringing this bill to the floor today. I want to 
thank our distinguished colleague from the other body, the junior 
Senator from Texas, for moving this bill forward. We are honored by her 
presence on the House floor today.
  This bill, quite simply, directs the NIH to direct more funds to 
research, information and education on blood cancer diseases. As my 
colleagues here on the floor know so well, while less than 5 percent of 
Federal funds for cancer research are spent on blood cancers, they 
cause 11 percent of all deaths. One of those deaths was our colleague, 
Joe Moakley.
  As many in this Chamber know, I worked for Joe Moakley for many 
years, from 1982 to 1996. He served not only as my teacher and mentor, 
but he was also my dear friend, in fact, my best friend.
  Joe was a guy who, in many respects, represented the miracles of 
medical research and science. During years I knew him, he survived 
kidney cancer, a gangrenous gall bladder, prostate cancer, skin cancer, 
and hepatitis, that ultimately led to a successful liver transplant. 
Through it all, Joe Moakley emerged with flying colors, stronger and 
better than ever. However, when he was diagnosed with leukemia, it was 
a disease that he just could not beat.
  There is not a day that goes by, Mr. Speaker, that I do not miss Joe 
Moakley, and I wish he were still here with us fighting the good fight, 
standing up for the causes that he believed in, and even entertaining 
us with his humor. I wish there had been a cure for the leukemia that 
took his life, and I believe that some day there will be a cure. The 
issue is not can there be a cure, rather, the issue is when, and that 
will depend on the money and resources that we invest in medical 
research.
  One section of this bill will establish the Joe Moakley Research 
Excellence Program at NIH to expand, intensify and coordinate programs 
that support research on blood cancers, particularly leukemia, lymphoma 
and multiple myeloma. This, Mr. Speaker, is a honorable legacy, but, as 
Joe Moakley would say, the name means nothing if we do not put the 
money down, and I hope that we will do that.
  I also want to say I am honored that former Congresswoman Geraldine 
Ferraro is with us today. I was a staff person when she was a Member of 
this House, and, being from Massachusetts, I remember what Tip O'Neill 
once said about her when she was nominated to be the Vice Presidential 
candidate for the Democrats, he said she will be not only a great vice 
president, but some day she will be a great president. I think he was 
right in that assessment. I admire her courage for coming forward with 
her own health challenges. She indeed is the inspiration for another 
section of this bill which would result in disseminating information on 
blood cancer diseases throughout this country.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill, and I hope the 
funds are there to carry out this important authorization.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it was just a couple of months 
ago when a few current Members of Congress had the honor and pleasure 
of gathering to listen to the Honorable Geraldine Ferraro. It was a 
joyous occasion, and it was a delight to be able to fellowship with our 
colleague, someone that many of us admired, some who had the 
opportunity to serve with her, and some, like myself, who did not. But 
certainly her history and her leadership are well-known to women around 
the Nation.
  Her remarks were instructive and inspiring. But, as she concluded, 
she made an announcement that caused a pause, and many of us stopped 
midway in our thoughts and our speech and caught our breath. But she 
did not allow us to linger on our thoughts about what we perceived to 
be a catastrophic illness which she had announced that she had. She 
began energizing us and speaking about living, and how we could support 
their legislation before us to help some lives.
  So today I come to the floor of the House in tribute to Congresswoman 
Geraldine Ferraro, and as well, to acknowledge my support for S. 1094, 
focusing on the blood cancer diseases that have taken the lives of so 
many, and, yes, to likewise thank the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
and its leadership, the chairman and ranking member of the full 
committee and chairman and ranking member of this subcommittee, and to 
acknowledge my colleague-friend from the other body, the junior Senator 
from Texas, thanking both of them as women to acknowledge that we can 
fight these diseases.
  We can fight the fact that an estimated 109,500 people in the United 
States will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma 
in 2002. We can fight the fact that these devastating blood cancers 
will cause the deaths of an estimated 60,000 persons. We can fight the 
fact that while less than 5 percent of Federal funds for cancer 
research are spent on these blood cancers, these blood cancers cause 11 
percent of all cancer deaths.
  That is why I am proud to support legislation that creates the 
Congressman Joe Moakley Research Excellence Program, our friend and 
colleague, who was such a fighter. It will now instruct the director of 
NIH to expand, intensify and coordinate programs for the conduct and 
support of research in this area. Then, as well, to be able to affirm 
the Geraldine Ferraro Cancer Education Program, that will direct the 
secretary to direct the appropriate agency within the Department of 
Health, in collaboration with the director of NIH, to provide education 
and information and encouragement to those who would understand better.
  The aspects of this bill are powerful, research and education, and I 
cannot

[[Page H1725]]

thank enough those who saw fit to carry this legislation in an 
expedited manner. Just sharing with both proponents on the floor of the 
House it was brought to my attention that those of us in the minority 
community may even be impacted in a more devastating manner. But this 
bill speaks to all of us as Americans, and it focuses on saving lives, 
for those who have suffered with blood cancer diseases, those who have 
lost their lives.
  This is, in fact, an enormous tribute, but, most importantly, it 
shows we are going to act. I would encourage both the passage and the 
funding of this legislation, for tribute comes by action and not just 
words. I thank the distinguished members of this committee.
  I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.


                Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would remind all Members that a 
proper reference to a Senator is as a sponsor of the measure.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the Senate bill, S. 1094.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________