[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 65 (Monday, May 20, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H2633-H2634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING IMPORTANCE OF GOOD CERVICAL HEALTH AND DETECTING CERVICAL 
                     CANCER DURING EARLIEST STAGES

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 309), recognizing the 
importance of good cervical health and of detecting cervical cancer 
during its earliest stages.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 309

       Whereas approximately 12,900 women are diagnosed with, and 
     4,400 women die from, cervical cancer in the United States 
     each year;
       Whereas women who are members of certain racial or ethnic 
     minorities and women who have a low income are more likely 
     than other women to die from cervical cancer;
       Whereas cervical cancer is primarily caused by the human 
     papillomavirus (HPV) and can be detected by a Papanicolaou 
     test (Pap test) or other early detection tests;
       Whereas the earlier cervical cancer is detected the better 
     chance a woman has of surviving cervical cancer;
       Whereas women of certain racial or ethnic minorities, women 
     who have less than a high school education, and women who 
     have a low income are less likely than other women to receive 
     a Pap test or other early detection test for cervical cancer; 
     and
       Whereas cervical cancer survivors have shown tremendous 
     courage and determination in the face of adversity: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes the importance of good cervical health and 
     of detecting cervical cancer during its earliest stages;
       (2) urges health care facilities and other medical 
     institutions to continue to raise public awareness about 
     cervical cancer and the importance of early detection;
       (3) urges the people of the United States to learn about 
     cervical cancer and the importance of early detection; and
       (4) recognizes the survivors of cervical cancer for their 
     tremendous courage and determination.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Millender-McDonald) 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 and include extraneous material on the legislation under 
consideration.
  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 in support of H. Con. Res. 309, which recognizes 
the importance of good cervical health and detecting cervical cancer 
during its earliest stages. This resolution, which was unanimously 
approved by the full Committee on Energy and Commerce on April 24, 
would help increase the public's awareness of cervical cancer and the 
importance of early detection.
  Approximately 12,900 women are diagnosed with, and 4,400 women die 
from, cervical cancer in the United States each year. I was pleased to 
sponsor legislation in the 105th Congress, the Women's Health Research 
and Prevention Amendments of 1998, that included provisions to increase 
the emphasis on the early detection of this terrible disease. I am, 
therefore, pleased we are considering this important resolution today 
that will help us to continue focusing on prevention and early 
detection of cervical cancer.
  Since many vulnerable groups of women are less likely to receive 
screening tests for cervical cancer, it is critical that we continue 
our commitment to education programs so that these women increase their 
utilization of these important preventative services. This resolution 
is another positive step in that direction.
  We are again indebted to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Millender-McDonald) for this legislation, and I urge my colleagues, Mr. 
Speaker, to join me in support of H. Con. Res. 309.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise representing the 62 women Members of the House 
who have worked tirelessly to address these issues, thereby choosing 
the theme in this 107th Congress, The Wellness of Women.
  Today, the House is considering H. Con. Res. 309 as one of these 
important pieces of legislation. This resolution recognizes the 
importance of good cervical health and detecting cervical cancer during 
its earliest stages.
  I want to thank the Committee on Energy and Commerce chairman, the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), and the gentleman from Florida 
(Mr. Bilirakis), for their leadership, and also the ranking member, the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Brown), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) for their 
efforts in the committee to report this bill favorably out of that 
committee.
  I also want to commend the committee staff for their work.
  H. Con. Res. 309 is important because cervical cancer can be fatal 
for a woman if it is not detected in its earliest stages. In 2002, the 
American Cancer Society estimates that there will be approximately 
13,000 new cases of cervical cancer and, of that number, approximately 
4,100 American women will die from this disease.
  Cervical cancer can be detected by screening via a Pap smear test. 
Public awareness of utilizing Pap smear tests is especially important 
for racial and ethnic minority groups, and those segments of women who 
exist at or below the poverty level.
  I cannot overemphasize the need for early screening because 
statistical data indicates that the 5-year survival is 70 percent for 
all stages of cervical cancer when it is detected early. Early 
screening can also detect pre-cancerous lesions, which can ultimately 
protect against a woman's contracting cancer.
  Mr. Speaker, today the House has taken a huge step forward in 
educating women and potentially saving lives by passing this 
legislation. It is often said that acquiring knowledge can be 
empowering. In the case of cervical cancer, this is absolutely true.
  Women throughout America can and will be destined to gain more peace 
of mind and even greater longevity by

[[Page H2634]]

virtue of enhanced awareness and greater application of Pap smear 
technology once this measure is enacted. Furthermore, generations of 
women will be able to experience more wholesome and productive lives 
devoid of cervical cancer.
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 309, recognizing the importance of good cervical health and 
of detecting cervical cancer during its earliest stages.
  According to the National HPV & Cervical Cancer Campaign, each year 
approximately 12,900 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, with 
4,400 dying from this dreadful disease.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise not to cite statistics, important though they 
are, but rather to talk about how cervical cancer affected my life. I 
lost my mother to this dreaded disease.
  I can remember the great strength and courage my beloved mother 
showed even though she was in great pain as she battled for her life.
  When she passed away, medical breakthroughs to detect cervical cancer 
were still far in the future. However, as science progressed we were 
able to identify that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes this 
disease and, better yet, able to create tests for early detection. If 
detected early enough, most women have a good chance of defeating this 
disease, and living long productive lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of this resolution. I urge our health 
care facilities to help raise public awareness about the importance of 
early cervical cancer screening. In addition, I urge all citizens to 
learn about cervical cancer, and the importance of early detection.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today before you and my 
colleagues in support of H. Con. Res. 309, which recognizes the 
importance of good cervical health and its early detection.
  Cervical cancer is nearly 100 percent preventable, yet according to 
the American Cancer Society, an estimated 13,000 new cases of invasive 
cervical cancer will be diagnosed in 2002 and about 4,100 women will 
die of the disease. The good news is that cervical cancer is 
preventable and curable if it is detected early; in fact, the 
occurrence of deaths from cervical cancer has declined significantly 
over the last 20 to 30 years.
  Screening younger women using the Pap test is an importance strategy 
that can actually prevent cervical cancer from developing almost 100% 
of the time. Research and studies have been found to note that minority 
populations and persons of low socioeconomic status are affected 
disproportionately as well.
  Early detection of cervical cancer can be the first major victory in 
the fight against cancer. Research is being done to develop a vaccine, 
but in the meantime, early detection is the key. The primary purpose of 
the Pap test screening program is to detect abnormal cellular changes 
that are not yet cancer. These changes, and very early invasive cancer, 
are virtually 100% curable. When preventative tests are used following 
an abnormal Pap test, the rate of detection of cervical cancer can be 
increased. The majority of deaths from cervical cancer are unnecessary 
and preventable. The key is early detection.
  Mr. Speaker, my message is simple. Go for screening! I encourage 
women to make their January calendars each year with this message. With 
early detection and prevention, no woman need die from cervical cancer.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, 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 agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 309.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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