[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 10, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 1385, BREAST CANCER STAMP EXTENSION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 10, 2004

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud cosponsor and in 
strong support of H.R. 1385, which extends the authorization of a 
special postage stamp to benefit breast cancer research.
  Since its introduction in July 1998, the Breast Cancer Stamp has 
provided the American people with a way to directly support breast 
cancer research. The stamp carries a seven cent surcharge, which goes 
directly to the life-saving research efforts of the National Cancer 
Institute and the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program. 
The American people have demonstrated that they care about this 
research by purchasing over 430 million stamps. That's a direct, 
voluntary contribution of over $30 million to this cause, one stamp at 
a time.
  The American public has opened their hearts to women everywhere by 
acknowledging that breast cancer is a disease which can affect all of 
our families. Indeed, more than 2 million women in the United States 
have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. One in eight women 
will develop breast cancer during her lifetime, and 40,000 American 
women will die from the disease this year. Breast cancer is an issue 
that we should all care about, particularly since women from every 
State, of every ethnic and economic background are diagnosed and 
treated for the disease every year.
  In my home State of Illinois, researchers estimate that over 10,000 
women will develop breast cancer during the coming year. Their lives 
depend on early detection and early, effective treatment. When 
Americans send letters and cards using the Breast Cancer Stamp, they 
aren't just showing that they've contributed to the cause of research. 
They are reminding their friends and loved ones about the importance of 
self examination and mammograms. They are promoting vigilance, 
awareness, and involvement in the fight against breast cancer. They are 
showing that increased awareness makes a considerable difference for 
every woman diagnosed with breast cancer.
  The American people have shown they recognize the necessity of 
investment in breast cancer research through their continued purchase 
of these stamps, and I urge my colleagues to support the 
reauthorization of this program. I also remind my colleagues that there 
is still work to be done.
  Along with this bill, I am proud to have cosponsored six other breast 
cancer related bills which currently await further action in this 
Congress. Among them are proposals to provide funding and authorization 
for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to expand 
research on environmental and age-related factors in breast cancer 
prevalence, authorization of additional funding to the National 
Institute of Health for early detection and prevention programs, and 
legislation to require private health insurance plans to provide 
coverage for minimum hospital stays for major breast cancer-related 
surgery. I ask my colleagues to honor the spirit of the millions of 
citizens who made the Breast Cancer Stamp a success, by pledging your 
support to these potentially life-saving measures still awaiting 
action.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from California for introducing 
this important legislation, and I ask my colleagues to support the 
passage of H.R. 1385.

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