[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 141 (Wednesday, October 8, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H9318-H9319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 262) supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic
Cancer Awareness Month.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 262
Whereas over 30,700 people will be diagnosed with
pancreatic cancer this year in the United States;
Whereas the mortality rate for pancreatic cancer is 99
percent, the highest of any cancer;
Whereas pancreatic cancer is the 4th most common cause of
cancer death for men and women in the United States;
Whereas there are no early detection methods and minimal
treatment options for pancreatic cancer;
Whereas when symptoms of pancreatic cancer generally
present themselves, it is too late for an optimistic
prognosis, and the average survival rate of those diagnosed
with metastasis disease is only 3 to 6 months;
Whereas pancreatic cancer does not discriminate by age,
gender, or race, and only 4 percent of patients survive
beyond 5 years;
Whereas the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), the
only national advocacy organization for pancreatic cancer
patients, facilitates awareness, patient support,
professional education, and advocacy for pancreatic cancer
research funding, with a view to ultimately developing a cure
for pancreatic cancer; and
Whereas the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has requested
that the Congress designate November as Pancreatic Cancer
Awareness Month in order to educate communities across the
Nation about pancreatic cancer and the need for research
funding, early detection methods, effective treatments, and
prevention programs: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the
goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts).
General Leave
Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I introduced House Resolution 262 to help increase
awareness about a horrible disease, pancreatic cancer. This year over
30,700 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Because of the
lack of early detection methods, 99 percent of those diagnosed will
lose their lives, the highest mortality rate of any form of cancer. By
the time the symptoms present themselves, it is almost always too late
for a positive prognosis. Patients diagnosed have an average life
expectancy of only 3 to 6 months.
It is a moral imperative for Congress to work to increase awareness
about this life-threatening disease. Currently, the Pancreatic Cancer
Action Network, known as Pan CAN, is the only national advocacy
organization available for pancreatic cancer patients and their
families and friends. This outstanding organization exists to create
awareness, patient support, professional education and advocacy for
pancreatic cancer funding.
It has been my pleasure to work with the Pan CAN network through a
constituent of mine, Mr. Bob Hammen, in order to pass this resolution.
With the passage of House Resolution 262, Congress will be adding our
support to Pan CAN and their efforts to increase awareness for
pancreatic cancer.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting pancreatic
cancer patients, their families and friends and Pan CAN by passing this
important resolution and promoting November as Pancreatic Cancer
Awareness Month.
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, first of all, let me commend the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) for introducing this important resolution.
Cancer of the pancreas stands out as a highly lethal disease, with its
victims facing the poorest of all likelihood of survival among all of
those surviving major malignancies. It accounts for only 2 percent of
all newly diagnosed cancers in the United States each year but 5
percent of all cancer deaths. It is the fifth leading cause of cancer-
related mortality in the United States, with an estimated 30,300 deaths
attributed to this disease in 2002.
Most pancreatic cancers arise from the ductal cells of the pancreas.
The pancreas, an organ situated deep in the abdominal cavity, serves
several critical functions. It produces enzymes that are delivered to
the small intestines to aid in the digestion of food, and it controls
sugar levels in the body. This disease is often far advanced by the
time symptoms occur and a diagnosis established. As indicated by 5-year
survival rates of less than 5 percent, successful treatment is rare.
Men have a higher incidence in mortality rate of pancreatic cancer
than women in each racial and ethnic group. Black men and women have
incidences and mortality rates that are 50 percent higher than the
rates for non-blacks or for Caucasians in this country. Rates for
Hispanics and the Asian American groups are generally lower than that
of whites.
Cigarette smoking has been identified consistently as an important
risk factor for cancer of the pancreas. Other risk factors which have
been suggested but not confirmed include coffee drinking and high fat
diets.
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is dedicated to focusing
national attention on the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer,
and I support this resolution wholeheartedly and Pan CAN's efforts to
designate November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
Again, I commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania for introducing this
resolution, urge its swift adoption.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 1315
Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), the distinguished chairman of
the House Committee on Science.
Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of recognizing Pancreatic Cancer
Awareness Month, and I want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr. Platts) for bringing forward this resolution.
The timing of this resolution is all too appropriate for those of us
on the Committee on Science. Just last week we lost our long-time chief
counsel, Barry Beringer, to pancreatic cancer at age 57. Barry was,
among other things, a dedicated public servant, a tireless community
activist, a loyal alumnus of Dickinson College, a dogged Civil War
researcher, and a diehard Philadelphia Phillies fan. He was also, more
importantly, a devoted husband and father; and his son, Francis, a
sophomore at the College of William and Mary gave a moving eulogy for
him at his funeral last week. In his eulogy, Francis captured well his
father's warmheartedness, decency and humor.
[[Page H9319]]
Francis rightly noted that his father exemplified an ideal, which he
dubbed being a ``man for others.''
Barry would have been embarrassed and surprised by all the richly-
deserved accolades. He was truly a self-effacing man, not the most
common trait on Capitol Hill. Last week's ceremony conveyed a true
sense of Barry in all of his idiosyncratic uniqueness.
But there was one way in which Barry was not unique. Tragically,
horribly, many share his fate every year as victims of pancreatic
cancer. This is a cancer that almost always kills. We understand little
about its cause, its course or its cure. We must spare no effort or
expense in trying to change that, and making more Americans aware of
the disease is a step toward accomplishing our goal.
In every congressional district, in every community there are too
many people who have had to experience the kind of loss that we on the
Committee on Science and this institution suffered last week.
Barry would not want to be remembered as a cancer victim. Indeed, he
fought his disease nobly and bravely until his last days, and we will
remember him always the wonderful individual he was during a special
order on the floor next week. But it does no disservice to Barry to
note that one of his many legacies will be that all of us will have a
better understanding of the tragic consequences of pancreatic cancer.
So I am pleased to see this House taking note of this horrible disease
and committing itself to working to save others from what Barry
suffered from and from the loss that his family, his friends and
colleagues feel today.
Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 262.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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