[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 155 (Thursday, October 30, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           OCTOBER AS NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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                             HON. DOUG OSE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 29, 2003

  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor October as National 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer is a growing and tragic epidemic 
that has undoubtedly touched loved ones, affecting mothers, sisters, 
daughters, as well as friends. The campaign emphasizes the importance 
of early detection of the disease through mammograms, clinical breast 
examination, as well as breast self-examination.
  During 2003, over 211,000 new cases of breast cancer are expected to 
occur among women in the United States and breast cancer remains as the 
leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States. 
Alarmingly, every 2 hours, on average, a California woman dies of 
breast cancer.
  I am honored to promote breast cancer awareness and research by 
urging my colleagues to reauthorize the Breast Cancer Research program 
for 2 more years. Millions of people have purchased the Breast Cancer 
Research stamp, a program that was first introduced in July 1998, 
generating over $34.5 million for research and development.
  The Breast Cancer Research stamp is especially important to me 
because my constituent, Dr. Ernie Bodai of Carmichael, CA, was the 
leading force behind the program. After 14 visits to Washington within 
2 years, as well as spending $100,000 of his personal savings, he 
succeeded, creating a leading for Breast Cancer fundraising. Dr. Bodai 
is the pioneer of the Breast Cancer stamp, Chief of General Surgery for 
Kaiser Permanente, and CEO of CureBreastCancer, Inc.
  Driving through Sacramento, he can be easily detected by his car, 
which is adorned by its license plate--PL 105-41--the title of the 
public law that made the breast cancer fundraising stamp official.
  Mr. Speaker, as Members of Congress, let's do our part to protect our 
constituents, promote breast cancer research and education, and 
reauthorize the Breast Cancer Stamp program.

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