[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 16, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H6886-H6888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1130
   SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY 
                        DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 6) supporting the goals and ideals 
of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                             H. Con. Res. 6

       Whereas chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (``COPD'') is 
     primarily associated with emphysema and chronic bronchitis;
       Whereas an estimated 10,000,000 adults in the United States 
     have been diagnosed by a physician with COPD;
       Whereas an estimated 24,000,000 adults in the United States 
     have symptoms of impaired lung function, indicating that COPD 
     is underdiagnosed;
       Whereas COPD is progressive and is not fully reversible;
       Whereas as COPD progresses, the airways and alveoli in the 
     lungs lose elasticity and the airway walls collapse, closing 
     off smaller airways and narrowing larger ones;
       Whereas symptoms of COPD include chronic coughing, 
     shortness of breath, increased effort to breathe, increased 
     mucus production, and frequent clearing of the throat;
       Whereas risk factors for COPD include long-term smoking, a 
     family history of COPD, exposure to air pollution or second-
     hand smoke, and a history of frequent childhood respiratory 
     infections;
       Whereas more than half of all adults who suffer from COPD 
     report that their condition limits their ability to work, 
     sleep, and participate in social and physical activities;
       Whereas more than half of all adults who suffer from COPD 
     feel they are not in control of their breathing, panic when 
     they cannot catch their breath, and expect their condition to 
     worsen;
       Whereas nearly 119,000 adults died in the United States of 
     COPD in 2000, making COPD the fourth leading cause of death 
     in the United States;
       Whereas COPD accounted for 8,000,000 office visits to 
     doctors, 1,500,000 emergency department visits, and 726,000 
     hospitalizations by adults in the United States in 2000;
       Whereas COPD cost the economy of the United States an 
     estimated $32,100,000,000 in 2002;
       Whereas too many people with COPD are not diagnosed or are 
     not receiving adequate treatment; and
       Whereas the establishment of a Chronic Obstructive 
     Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month would raise public 
     awareness about the prevalence of chronic obstructive 
     pulmonary disease and the serious problems associated with 
     the disease: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress supports the goals and ideals of 
     Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Quinn). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) and the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose).


                             General Leave

  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the 
legislation under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Concurrent Resolution 6, introduced by my distinguished 
colleague from Florida, supports the goals and ideals of Chronic 
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month. This is an important 
resolution that can help to alert all Americans to the dangers that 
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease poses to all of us.
  Mr. Speaker, it may not be widely known that chronic obstructive 
pulmonary disease is the fourth leading cause of death in this country 
behind heart disease, cancer and strokes. The number of Americans that 
COPD affects each year is in the tens of millions. Chronic obstructive 
pulmonary disease refers to any of various lung diseases that result in 
poor pulmonary aeration. The most common forms include emphysema and 
chronic bronchitis.
  Mr. Speaker, this affliction has baffled medical experts across the 
country and around the globe. Despite its prevalence, no cure has been 
discovered for COPD. However, a variety of treatment options are 
available to those who suffer from pulmonary disorders. On behalf of 
this House, I encourage all Americans to be aware of their pulmonary 
health in order to try to detect problems early and prevent the 
development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  Mr. Speaker, for all of these reasons, I urge all Members to support 
the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 6. I commend our colleague 
from Florida for his efforts to raise awareness of this.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleague from California 
today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 6, a resolution 
supporting the goals and ideals of National Chronic Obstructive 
Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month. Chronic obstructive pulmonary 
disease, referred to by the acronym COPD, is an umbrella term used to 
describe the airflow obstruction associated mainly with emphysema and 
chronic bronchitis. In short, COPD is a debilitating lung disease that 
is characterized by severe breathing limitations. This affects everyday 
tasks such as washing, dressing, even light housework and routine 
walking. COPD leaves many too breathless to leave the home. Sixteen 
million Americans suffer from COPD, and it is estimated that 16 million 
more have COPD.
  The important point to understand about COPD is the effect that it 
has on various populations. I was shocked to learn that, between 1980 
and 2000, the annual COPD death rate for African Americans nearly 
doubled, going from 25 percent to 43 percent. It is estimated that 1.7 
million African Americans have evidence of mild or moderate obstructive 
lung disease. Yet, in 2000, only half of these individuals reported 
being diagnosed with COPD.
  In addition to COPD's effect on African Americans, this disease is 
now disproportionately affecting women at an alarming rate. During the 
same period of time, 1980 to 2000, the COPD death rate among women 
nearly tripled, going from 20 percent to 57 percent. Currently, more 
women die from COPD than do men. It is estimated that 10.6 million 
women have evidence of mild or moderate obstructive lung disease.
  Illinois is not yet listed among the States experiencing high death 
rates associated with COPD. However, nearly half of the United States 
is now experiencing high death rates from COPD. The Centers for Disease 
Control now estimates that COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in 
the United States. By 2020, CDC estimates that COPD will be the third 
leading killer in the country. There is no cure for COPD, but with 
early diagnosis, treatment can ease the symptoms of patients who suffer 
from this disease.
  Continued ignorance about COPD is costly. COPD is the only leading 
chronic illness that continues to show increased mortality rates each 
year. In contrast, mortality rates associated with seven of the ten 
leading causes of death have actually decreased.
  Simply put, COPD takes a heavy toll on our economy. According to 
estimates made by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, in 2000 
the annual cost to the Nation for COPD was over $30 billion. This 
included $14.7 billion in direct health care expenditures, $6.5 billion 
in indirect morbidity costs, and $9.2 billion in direct mortality 
costs. The sooner Americans learn more about COPD, the sooner they can 
take steps to combat it, and the sooner we can control the spiraling 
toll of this debilitating disease on our economy and human lives.
  Mr. Speaker, a national awareness month will bring a much-needed 
focus for COPD and provide a further opportunity to educate Americans 
and heighten the awareness of COPD's increasing prevalence. I urge my 
colleagues to support this important resolution, and I commend the 
gentleman from Florida for its sponsorship.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns), the leading 
spokesperson for

[[Page H6887]]

this particular issue in the halls of Congress.
  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. I thank my distinguished colleague from California for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, as the author of H. Con. Res. 6, supporting the goals 
and ideals of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month, I 
want to thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) who was a 
cosponsor of this legislation in the 107th Congress and has been my 
cosponsor in the 108th Congress.
  I am, finally, very pleased that the committee of jurisdiction has 
recognized this and it is on the floor today, because, as my colleagues 
have pointed out earlier, awareness of COPD is very important. If 
unchecked, it will continue to kill.
  A lot of people, perhaps my colleagues, are wondering what COPD is. 
It was mentioned that it is a debilitating lung disease. Many of us who 
serve in Congress are going to be affected by it. It causes severe 
breathing limitations when you run up those steps. It is characterized 
by airway inflammation. It simply affects everyday tasks that you do, 
women and men, whether it is obviously on the golf course or whether it 
is walking up stairs or just running to the bus.
  A lot of us take breathing freely for granted, but, frighteningly, 
the CDC estimates that COPD is currently the fourth leading cause of 
death in the United States. Of course, as was mentioned earlier, it is 
going to be moving up in the year 2020 to be the third largest killer 
in the United States.
  While the exact prevalence in the United States is unknown, CDC 
estimates that there are 10 million diagnosed COPD sufferers and 
possibly as many as 24 million Americans undiagnosed who are suffering 
these symptoms today and have no idea what it is. The problem, Mr. 
Speaker, is there is no cure. Medical treatments exist to address the 
symptom relief and perhaps slow the progression of this disease. 
Besides the treatment of the symptoms of COPD, the sufferer actually is 
afflicted with anxiety. Their mental condition is affected through this 
anxiety and this stress. This also in many cases must be treated.
  I would be remiss not to warn that the number-one step that one can 
take to prevent COPD, or at least minimize its symptoms, is simply to 
stop smoking, which is the primary cause of COPD, this long-term 
smoking by Americans. As you may know, we were pleased that President 
George Bush declared November, 2001, COPD Awareness Month and 
recognized the contribution of the COPD Coalition in November of that 
year. So, obviously, we would like to pass this resolution and continue 
the momentum of awareness for all Americans on this important problem.
  It is likely that we all know somebody who has this affliction, 
whether we live with them personally or have a family member or friend 
or staff member, he or she has COPD. An awareness month would create an 
opportunity for all of us to familiarize ourselves with this so that we 
could attempt to alleviate the suffering and hopefully eventually 
reduce the death rate associated with this affliction.
  Research is being performed on this, and we believe we are getting 
closer to solving some of the problem.
  Let me make a plug for the University of Florida, which is in my 
congressional district. It has been found that individuals suffering 
from a genetic deficiency called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency are 
more likely to develop COPD later in life. In response to this finding, 
researchers at the University of Florida, a top-notch university and 
medical institution in my congressional district, have teamed up with 
the Alpha-1 Foundation and the State of Florida Department of Health 
and Human Services to conduct a multiyear screening and detection 
program for Alpha-1 deficiency. It is their hope that this program will 
serve to not only detect potential Alpha-1 deficient individuals but 
also to impress upon health care professionals the importance of simply 
screening for this Alpha-1 deficiency.
  In fact, once an individual is identified with Alpha-1 deficiency, 
much can be done to help prevent the individual from developing COPD, 
that is very exciting, not only just through exercise, but a 
modification of your diet. If this is not enough, further steps can be 
taken in the form of augmentation therapy by which the Alpha-1 
antitrypsin protein is actually administered to arrest one's decreasing 
lung function. That is very good news.
  Until research yields new treatments or a cure for COPD, the best 
approach to stemming the growth is through prevention and early 
detection. Prevention and early detection can only happen with 
increased awareness.
  I would conclude by just mentioning some facts. In 2000, COPD 
accounted for 8 million physician office and hospital outpatient 
visits; 726,000 hospitalizations; over 1.5 million emergency room 
visits; and over 122,000 deaths. It costs the U.S. economy almost $15 
billion a year in direct medical costs. All of this, we believe, is 
caused by environmental exposure, including tobacco smoke and, as I 
mentioned earlier, genetic defects.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this. I am very pleased 
that it is on the floor today.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I had a friend who suffered from COPD. He liked to go to 
the Bulls basketball games. From time to time we would go together. He 
could not walk more than 20 or 30 feet without having to stop and rest. 
Again, I want to commend the gentleman from Florida for his 
introduction of this very important measure and urge its passage.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support today of H. 
Con. Res. 6 which expresses support for the goals and ideals of Chronic 
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month. I would like to thank 
Congressman Stearns of Florida who sponsored this important concurrent 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major 
problem today. It is currently the fourth leading cause of death in our 
country, taking the lives of nearly 119,000 adults in 2000. An 
estimated 10,000,000 Americans have been diagnosed with this disease, 
and it unfortunately is an under-diagnosed condition in this country.
  As a former physician, this issue lies close to my heart. As the 
Chair of the Health Braintrust of the Congressional Black Caucus, I 
have had the opportunity to do much work on issues relating to lung 
disease within the caucus and in the larger body here in the House of 
Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, COPD and lung disease affects many families. It 
particularly hits hard in the African-American community. Although 
African-Americans only constitute approximately 12 percent of the 
population of the United States, according to the American Lung 
Association 26 percent of all asthma deaths are in African-Americans. 
The Association also reports that the incidence rate of lung cancer for 
African-American males is more than 45% higher than that of white men.
  Mr. Speaker, The American Lung Association also reported that COPD 
took the lives of 3,757 African-American men and 2,692 African-American 
women in 2000. Countless others live with this disease and it adversely 
affects their lives by limiting their ability to partake in many of the 
activities that healthy persons enjoy.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution is a significant one. It gives formal 
congressional recognition that COPD is a major problem that affects 
many individuals and families and it expresses support for its 
awareness during COPD Awareness Month. As a co-sponsor of this 
legislation, I would urge all Members today to support it.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I want to add my thanks again to the gentleman 
from Florida for introducing this legislation. I urge all Members to 
support the adoption of this measure. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 6.
  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. STEARNS. 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

[[Page H6888]]

Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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