[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 10, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H5116-H5120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE OF SEQUENCING OF HUMAN GENOME AND 
 EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR GOALS AND IDEALS OF HUMAN GENOME MONTH AND DNA 
                                  DAY

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 110) recognizing the sequencing 
of the human genome as one of the most significant scientific 
accomplishments of the past 100 years and expressing support for the 
goals and ideals of Human Genome Month and DNA Day.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 110

       Whereas April 25, 2003, will be the 50th anniversary of the 
     publication of the description of the double-helix structure 
     of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in Nature magazine by James D. 
     Watson and Francis H.C. Crick, which is considered by many 
     scientists to be one of the most significant scientific 
     discoveries of the twentieth century;
       Whereas their discovery launched a field of inquiry that 
     explained how DNA carries biological information in the 
     genetic code and how this information is duplicated and 
     passed from generation to generation, forming the stream of 
     life that connects us all to our ancestors and to our 
     descendants;
       Whereas this field of inquiry in turn was crucial to the 
     founding and continued growth of the field of biotechnology, 
     which has led to historic scientific and economic advances 
     for the world, advances in which the people of the United 
     States have played a leading role and from which they have 
     realized significant benefits;
       Whereas, in April 2003, the international Human Genome 
     Project will achieve essential completion of the finished 
     reference sequence of the human genome, which carries all the 
     biological information needed to construct the human form;
       Whereas the Human Genome Project will be completed ahead of 
     schedule and under budget;
       Whereas all data from the Human Genome Project is provided 
     free of charge to the public as soon as it is available;
       Whereas the sequencing of the human genome has already 
     fostered biomedical research discoveries that have led to 
     improvements in human health;
       Whereas the Human Genome Project has provided an exemplary 
     model for social responsibility in scientific research, by 
     devoting significant resources to studying the ethical, 
     legal, and social implications of the project;
       Whereas, in April 2003, the National Human Genome Research 
     Institute of the National Institutes of Health will publish a 
     new plan for genomic research;
       Whereas this new plan will establish priorities for the 
     future of genomic research, predict future developments in 
     understanding heredity, and serve as a guide in applying this 
     knowledge to improve human health; and
       Whereas the National Human Genome Research Institute has 
     designated April 2003 as ``Human Genome Month'' in 
     celebration of the completion of the sequencing of the human 
     genome and April 25, 2003, as ``DNA Day'' in celebration of 
     the 50th anniversary of the publication of the description of 
     the structure of DNA on April 25, 1953: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes the sequencing of the human genome as one of 
     the most significant scientific accomplishments of the past 
     one hundred years;
       (2) honors the 50th anniversary of the outstanding 
     accomplishment of describing the structure of DNA, the 
     essential completion of the sequencing of the human genome in 
     April 2003, and the development a plan for the future of 
     genomics;
       (3) supports the goals and ideals of Human Genome Month and 
     DNA Day; and
       (4) encourages schools, museums, cultural organizations, 
     and other educational institutions in the United States to 
     recognize Human Genome Month and DNA Day with appropriate 
     programs and activities centered on human genomics, using 
     information and materials provided through the National Human 
     Genome Research Institute and other sources.

  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 and include extraneous material on House concurrent resolution 
110.
  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 House Concurrent Resolution 110, a 
concurrent resolution recognizing the sequencing of the human genome as 
one of the most significant scientific accomplishments of the past 100 
years

[[Page H5117]]

and expressing support for the goals and ideals of Human Genome Month 
and DNA Day.
  This legislation, introduced by our colleague, the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Slaughter), was unanimously approved by the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce on April 30 of this year.

                              {time}  1345

  April 2003 marked the 50th anniversary of a momentous achievement in 
biology: James Watson and Francis Crick's Nobel Prize-winning 
description of the double helix structure of DNA. In addition, this 
past April we celebrated the culmination one of the most important 
scientific projects in history, the sequencing of the human genome.
  The science and technology of genomics have become the foundation of 
research and biotechnology for the 21st century. In addition, health 
care has undergone phenomenal changes, driven in part by the Human 
Genome Project and accompanying advances in human genetics. While these 
advances will certainly present a myriad of challenges for 
policymakers, I feel confident that this information will truly 
revolutionize the practice of medicine and greatly improve our quality 
of life.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support passage of H. Con. Res. 110.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Bilirakis) for his good work and bipartisanship and thank my colleague, 
the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter) for authoring H. Con. 
Res. 110.
  I rise in support of this resolution and recognize its two major 
advancements in public health: The 50th anniversary of the discovery of 
the double helix structure of DNA and the completion recently of the 
Human Genome Project.
  Fifty years ago, Dr. James Watson and Dr. Francis Crick published a 
structure of DNA. It is likely that neither of these scientists fully 
understood the enormous impact that their discovery would have on our 
Nation's public health, from historic advances to disease diagnosis to 
life-saving medicine to reform of our everyday vocabulary. Their 
scientific discovery laid the groundwork for another milestone of the 
evolution of science; that is, the completion of the Human Genome 
Project ahead of schedule and under budget.
  While the investment in this project was modest in some ways by U.S. 
standards, the return promises to be extraordinary. Doctors will have 
tools to assess diseases in terms of their causes, not just their 
symptoms. An entire genome of an organism can be known in a matter of 
weeks or months, not years or decades. Scientists will begin to know 
why some people and not others get sick from certain infections or 
environmental exposures.
  We can only begin to imagine what this means for health care 
delivery. Clearly, being asked by your family doctor about your family 
history will take on a whole new meaning. The Human Genome Project will 
strengthen the roots of innovation, foster tomorrow's breakthrough 
discoveries: discoveries like that of Dr. Watson and Dr. Crick which 
offer every person the opportunity of a longer, healthier life.
  With genetics and the burgeoning fields of genomics, we have truly 
moved into a new era. Already friends and loved ones benefit from what 
we have learned about genetic links to diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, 
breast and ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, cystic fibrosis, and 
Huntington's disease and others. We should not overlook the impact this 
investment has on the public health infrastructure as whole. When we 
invest in research, we are also investing in education.
  The NIH reports that Ph.D. faculty at U.S. med schools has increased 
by double digits as a result of the Federal investment in research. 
These discoveries raise important policy issues, to be sure, like the 
importance of strong genetic nondiscrimination policies.
  My colleague, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), the 
sponsor of this resolution, has introduced legislation to address the 
potential abuse of genetic information by insurers and by employers. 
That is a real issue. That is one we absolutely in this body have a 
duty to address.
  Genomics offers exciting opportunities to strengthen our public 
health system and can take us into a new era of health and health care. 
I am pleased to be a sponsor of the Slaughter resolution and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in applauding the legion of talented scientists 
who significantly contributed to these achievements.
  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 Florida (Mr. Stearns).
  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Health of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 110, a resolution 
commending the completion of the sequencing of the human genome and the 
50th anniversary of the description of the double helix which makes up 
the DNA.
  As past chairman of the Task Force on Health Care and Genetic 
Privacy, I think we need to commend the folks at NIH for their 
outpouring of work. As someone who studied science myself as a former 
electrical engineer, I stand in awe of the frontier that we are 
starting to move into with genetics.
  As many of us know, genetics is the study of single genes and their 
effects on human health. Genomics is a relatively new field of 
scientific research that includes not only the study of single genes 
but also the functions and interaction of all genes that comprise a 
genome.
  The human genome is a collection of about 35,000 genes that give rise 
to life. Each gene is made up of a series of base pairs, tiny DNA units 
denoted by A, C, T, and G. There are about 3.12 billion of these 
genetic letters. Spanning nearly two decades, the Human Genome Project 
is the international research effort to determine the sequencing of all 
these genetic letters or, as we like to call it, a genetic blueprint 
for humans.
  Congress invested significant tax dollars, primarily at the National 
Institutes of Health, just to advance this project. And we did so here 
in Congress, because the human genome findings will pave the way for 
what we hope will be a breakthrough of information on the new ways to 
prevent and, of course, cure diseases.
  I think we are just beginning to see the results of this investment. 
Just as scientists have decoded the genetic map that defines us as 
human beings, we will now need to decipher how well the Federal 
bureaucracy is working to advance this promising area of genomics 
research.
  Genomics research transcends every institute and center at NIH. It 
has implications for how we study every disease. Two short weeks ago, 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing to learn more about 
genomics research. At that time, members had the opportunity to hear 
from the leading scientists in the world about this research. We also 
learned that we are right on track with a new project underway to 
ensure that our investments at the National Institutes of Health are 
fully maximized.
  As the authorizing committee at NIH, the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce is conducting an extensive review to determine how well NIH is 
advancing medical research. All of us have been touched by someone 
afflicted with a disease.
  In my district of Jacksonville, Florida, a collaborative NIH study 
between the Mayo Clinic and Shands Hospital is leading the charge for 
screening for the gene that leads to strokes.
  Just last year, NIH began its first phase of a clinical trial on a 
drug compound that has shown promise in addressing the most life-
threatening symptoms of ataxia, a heart condition. Because of these 
answers in sequencing of the human genome, more progress has been made 
in understanding the underlying mechanism of this disorder than in the 
previous 133 years.
  Research advances like this mean something real to patients. It is 
the hope that they are looking for when they need all the courage they 
can muster to fight a debilitating disease.

[[Page H5118]]

So today we pay tribute to a major scientific achievement. Let us keep 
working to speed forward more achievements like this to bring hope to 
all patients that are suffering from diseases throughout the world.
  It is our responsibility to ensure that NIH is held accountable on 
behalf of our patients. It is our responsibility to remove barriers 
that unnecessarily delay the incredible progress we are making in 
improving human health.
  We were just beginning. So I encourage all of my colleagues to assist 
our effort in this great task. I encourage my colleagues to vote for H. 
Con. Res. 110. It is altogether appropriate for us to pay tribute today 
to the outstanding accomplishments of our Nation's scientists in this 
groundbreaking achievement of sequencing the human genome. These same 
scientists will lead the way with an even bigger project: determining 
how to translate the outline of the human genome into real public 
health solutions.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen).
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon also in support of H. Con. Res. 
110 and to recognize what is perhaps the greatest scientific endeavor 
of the 21st century, the Human Genome Project, which will forever 
change the way medicine is practiced and research is conducted. 
Moreover, it has important implications for how we look at and define 
each other.
  The practical consequences of the emergence of this new field are 
widely apparent. Identification of the genes responsible for certain 
human diseases, once a staggering task requiring large research teams 
and many years of hard work and an uncertain outcome, can now be 
routinely accomplished in a few weeks.
  This discovery also holds out new hope for wellness for African 
Americans and other minority populations. Sickle cell disease was the 
first genetics disease to be identified but needs more effort and 
resources devoted towards a cure.
  I want to take this opportunity to applaud Howard University's 
College of Medicine who, just a few weeks ago, announced a partnership 
with First Genetic Trust, Inc., to develop the first-ever massive data 
bank of DNA of individuals of African descent. Called the Genomic 
Research in the African Diaspora Biobank or GRAD Biobank, the data will 
advance the study of genetic and biological bases for differential 
disease risk, progression, and drug response.
  But beyond deciphering what the human genome will do for science, it 
gives us new understanding of the molecular processes underlying 
disease and disease susceptibility, and it opens heretofore unknown 
doors that take us beyond treatment to the correction of the origins of 
disease. This discovery can also be a defining moment in human history 
for other reasons.
  As Dr. Georgia Dunston, the Director of the National Human Genome 
Center at Howard University, pointed out at our health braintrust 
meeting a few years ago, this monumental discovery also challenges the 
current paradigm of race and ethnicity and all that follows from those 
concepts, because in her words, ``The most salient feature of human 
identity at the sequence level is variation. Human genome sequence 
variation dispels the myth of a majority.''
  Anthropologists, Dr. Dunston told us, have estimated that less than 1 
percent of the total gene pool code for the phenotypic characteristics, 
such as eye, hair and skin color, is what is used to classify human 
populations, in other words, to divide us.
  Whether or not African American or Hispanic American, Anglo or White 
American, Native American, Asian/Pacific Islander or Alaskan Native, it 
turns out that we are 99 percent alike.
  So as we celebrate Human Genome Month and DNA Day, in addition to 
focusing on what this discovery will do to ensure that all populations 
are knowledgable about the science underpinning the HGP and have the 
opportunity to participate in various ways, such as becoming research 
scientists, research participants and policymakers, it is also 
important for everyone to be informed about the Human Genome Project 
and understand the ethical, legal, and social implications resulting 
from genetics and genomics research.
  Through our continued efforts to educate ourselves, to reach out to 
our communities, and to communicate our fears, needs, and 
responsibilities, we as government policymakers have the best 
opportunity to have genetics and science improve the quality of life 
for all Americans and make this a better country.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 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, let me join in with the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Brown) for their wisdom in bringing this legislation to the floor, and 
certainly to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter) who I 
enthusiastically join, along with the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. 
Tauzin) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) on this important 
legislative initiative.
  H. Con. Res. 110 is a resolution that helps to educate our colleagues 
but also it speaks truth to the American people. As a member of the 
House Committee on Science, we spent many, many hours on the question 
of the human genome and the Human Genome Project in particular. 
Recognizing the sequencing of the human genome as one of the most 
significant scientific accomplishments of the past 100 years and 
expressing support of the goals and ideals of the Human Genome Month 
and DNA Day really is a statement about life.

                              {time}  1400

  It is a statement about the ability of the new science to be able, 
Mr. Speaker, to create life where there is none, to create better 
improved health where that was not a possibility 10, 15 or 50 years 
ago.
  It is crucial as the human genome project achieves its essential 
completion of the finished reference sequence of the human genome that 
carries all of the biological information needed that we begin to 
utilize this project; and one of the challenges that we have in this 
Congress is the whole question of human cloning. It is important not to 
equate these projects and this research and human genome work and DNA 
with the idea of the creation of a human being.
  It is important now as we have begun or understand the sequence that 
we allow this project to grow and to be utilized to help us determine 
the cures for diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease, 
diabetes, stroke, and, yes, HIV/AIDS. The more we understand about the 
human being and its makeup, the more we can create a better way of 
life.
  We well know of our renowned fiction character Superman, who is no 
longer a superman in real life, who is trying time after time with a 
number of efforts to find the cure for those who suffer spinal 
injuries, some of the most devastating injuries that we will face. As 
we look to the wounded who will be coming home from the war in Iraq and 
Afghanistan, they will be coming home with major injuries, some 
continuing to be life-threatening. The greater knowledge of our ability 
to be able to respond to those kinds of devastating injuries, although 
they are not by disease but by devastating injuries, physical injuries 
through weapons, the better off we will be. The more we can find a way 
to determine and fight against the war against bioterrorism, the better 
off we will be.
  This is an excellent resolution, Mr. Speaker, because it educates my 
colleagues and educates the public.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), sponsor of this resolution 
who has showed particular interest in the issue of nondiscrimination of 
genetics.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time.
  I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 110, a resolution that I was 
pleased to author with my colleagues, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. 
Tauzin),

[[Page H5119]]

the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce; and the gentleman 
from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the ranking member.
  This resolution recognizes a set of milestones in the history of 
human scientific endeavors. In April of 1953, two young scientists by 
the names of James Watson and Francis Crick published an article in the 
journal ``Nature'' describing the structure of a molecule known as 
deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. In doing so, they opened the doors to an 
entirely new field of research that explained the information carrying 
the genetic code and the way it is duplicated, translated, and 
activated.
  This field of research culminated 2 months ago with the announcement 
that the next generation of scientists had completed a full map of the 
human genome. Every one of the 3 billion base pairs in a strand of 
human DNA has been identified. This singular achievement is the result 
of more than a decade of concerted planning, international cooperation, 
and single-minded dedication to the cause. It is a scientific 
accomplishment of the highest order, emblematic of the advances in 
human knowledge of which we are capable when we work together across 
all divisions.
  When the human genome project was initiated, the technology to carry 
it through did not exist. It was invented as the research sped along. 
Congress, to its credit, considered this endeavor worthy of funding and 
had faith in our scientists' ability to achieve it. It was, therefore, 
also a stunning example of the vision and good of which our government 
is capable.
  H. Con. Res. 110 expresses the sense of the U.S. Congress that we 
recognize these achievements for the historical landmarks that they 
are. The resolution also lends its support to the designation of April 
as Human Genome Month and April 25 as DNA Day. Furthermore, it 
encourages schools, museums, cultural organizations, and other 
educational organizations to recognize the dates with appropriate 
programs and activities.
  Even though the resolution does not specifically do so, I would be 
remiss if I did not take this opportunity to commend the individual who 
has directed the human genome projects since 1993, my good friend, Dr. 
Francis Collins. Dr. Collins began his career as a brilliant scientist, 
a pioneer in the field of genetics and discoverer of the gene for 
cystic fibrosis. He has continue his career, however, as a brilliant 
administrator, a truly remarkable progression.
  Under his leadership, the human genome project has been completed 
under budget and ahead of schedule. Dr. Collins guided and shaped the 
initiative for a full decade, bringing it to fruition. Our Nation, and 
indeed, our world, owe him a debt of gratitude.
  I am pleased the leadership has agreed to consider this resolution 
today, and I urge my colleagues to support it. I would also, however, 
like to urge the body to take up a far more urgent piece of legislation 
on the subject of genetics, which is the Genetic Nondiscrimination in 
Health Insurance and Employment Act.
  The resolution before us today recognizes the immense benefit which 
the mapping of the human genome may have for us. The Genetic 
Nondiscrimination Act would forestall the darker consequences that 
could arise through this new technology. We must not allow the 
potential advances in human health to be stifled because Americans fear 
that their genetic information may be used against them.
  I urge the leadership to take up and pass the Genetic 
Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance and Employee Act as quickly as 
possible.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida 
for his good work on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the cooperation of the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown). He has always been very cooperative. 
This is an illustration of bipartisanship at work and all the work 
obviously of the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter).
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, every day we wake up and are faced with new 
discoveries. We read about the depths of space that we can only now see 
with the Hubble Telescope. We learn about tremendous achievement in 
nanotechnology, like the printing of a Bible that can fit on a pencil 
eraser. We have been to the moon and back, landed robots on Mars and 
cured diseases that have plagued mankind for millennia. Yet, Mr. 
Speaker, in this litany of great achievements one that stands out above 
all, is to have learned the very vocabulary of life, to have mapped the 
entire human genome.
  I rise today in support of this resolution and to recognize that the 
sequencing of the human genome is indeed one of the greatest scientific 
accomplishments of the past one hundred years, indeed of all of 
history.
  But Mr. Speaker, I rise with special pride because of Long Island's 
unique contribution in the quest to map the genome. Much of the work to 
sequence the genome took place at Cold Spring Harbor Lab on Long 
Island, and in particular, by a brilliant scientist I am privileged to 
know: Dr. James Watson.
  Dr. Watson, along with Francis Crick, discovered the structure of 
DNA. For this accomplishment they shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in 
Physiology of Medicine with Maurice Wilkins. Their revolutionary 
concept was that the DNA molecule takes the shape of a double helix, 
and elegantly simple structure that resembles a gently twisted ladder.
  Mr. Speaker, my children learn about the double helix today in 
science class. We take it for granted. We watch Law and Order and CSI 
and hear about DNA testing and we go to the doctor to find out if we 
have a genetic marker for a specific disease.
  Yet we almost never stop to think about this phenomenal breakthrough. 
It is amazing that in fewer than fifty years we have come so far. We 
should all be very proud that this achievement occurred here in the 
United States, a testament to our ongoing strengths, continuing 
leadership in science and technology.
  The human genome provides us with the most basic information of life. 
What we do with that information is up to us. Dr. Watson and his 
colleagues have gotten us this far. It is my hope, that through efforts 
like Human Genome Month and DNA Day, our young people will be inspired 
to make the great scientific leaps of tomorrow--applying the genetic 
map to conquering dreaded diseases and improving the quality of life on 
our planet.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 
110, a resolution that I was pleased to author with my colleagues, 
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Tauzin and Ranking Member 
Dingell.
  This resolution recognizes a set of milestones in the history of 
human scientific endeavors. In April 1953, two young scientists by the 
name of James Watson and Francis Crick published an article in the 
journal Nature describing the structure of a molecule known as 
deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. In doing so, they opened the doors to an 
entirely new field of research--that exploring the information carried 
in the genetic code and the way it is duplicated, translated, and 
activated.
  This field of research culminated two months ago with the 
announcement that the next generation of scientists had completed a 
full map of the human genome. Every one of the three billion base pairs 
in a string of human DNA has been identified. This singular achievement 
is the result of more than a decade of concerted planning, 
international cooperation, and single-minded dedication to the cause. 
It is a scientific accomplishment of the highest order, emblematic of 
the advances in human knowledge of which we were capable when we work 
together across all divisions.
  When the Human Genome Project was initiated, the technology to carry 
it through did not exist. It was invented as the research sped along. 
Congress, to its credit, considered this endeavor worthy of funding and 
had faith in our scientists' ability to achieve it. It was, therefore, 
also a stunning example of the vision and good of which our government 
is capable.
  H. Con. Res. 110 expresses the sense of the U.S. Congress that we 
recognize these achievements for the historical landmarks they are. The 
resolution also lends its support to the designation of April as Human 
Genome Month and April 25 as DNA Day. Furthermore, it encourages 
schools, museums, cultural organizations, and other educational 
institutions to recognize these dates with appropriate programs and 
activities.
  Even though the resolution does not specifically do so, I would be 
remiss if I did not take this opportunity to commend the individual who 
has directed the Human Genome Project since 1993: my good friend, Dr. 
Francis Collins. Dr. Collins began his career as a brilliant scientist, 
a pioneer in the field of genetics, and discoverer of the gene for 
cystic fibrosis. He has continued his career, however, as a brilliant 
administrator--a truly remarkable progression. Under his leadership, 
the Human Genome Project has been completed under budget and ahead of 
schedule. Dr. Collins guided and shaped the initiative for a full 
decade, bringing it to fruition. Our nation, and indeed our world, owe 
him a debt of gratitude.
  I am pleased that the leadership has agreed to consider this 
resolution today, and I urge

[[Page H5120]]

my colleagues to support it. I would also, however, like to urge this 
body to take up a far more urgent piece of legislation on the subject 
of genetics: the Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance and 
Employment Act. The resolution before us today recognizes the immense 
benefit which the mapping of the human genome may have for us. The 
Genetic Nondiscrimination Act would forestall the darker consequences 
that could arise from this new technology. We must not allow the 
potential advances in human health to be stifled because Americans fear 
that their genetic information will be used against them. I urge the 
leadership to take up and pass the Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health 
Insurance and Employment Act as quickly as possible.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers; and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Nethercutt). 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. 110.
  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. BROWN of Ohio. 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.

                          ____________________