[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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