[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 129 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H8658-H8659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 276) supporting the goals and ideals of 
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 276

       Whereas over 31,860 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 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 three to six months;
       Whereas pancreatic cancer does not discriminate by age, 
     gender, or race, and only four percent of patients survive 
     beyond five years;
       Whereas the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), the 
     first national patient advocacy organization serving the 
     pancreatic cancer community, focuses its efforts on public 
     policy, research funding, patient services, and public 
     awareness and education related to developing effective 
     treatments and 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 
Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).


                             General Leave

  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 276.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, House Resolution 276, offered by the distinguished 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts), would increase awareness 
about a horrible disease, pancreatic cancer.
  This year, over 31,000 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. Diagnosed patients 
have an average life expectancy of only 3 to 6 months.
  Although pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cancer, many 
Americans are not aware of the devastating statistics associated with 
the disease. Currently, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, known as 
Pan CAN, is the only national advocacy organization available for 
pancreatic cancer patients as well as their families and friends. This 
outstanding organization exists to create awareness, patient support, 
professional education and advocacy for pancreatic cancer funding.
  Pan CAN regards each November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. 
With the adoption of House Resolution 276, Congress would be further 
increasing awareness of pancreatic cancer. As a Nation, we desperately 
need to improve detection and treatment approaches and avenues. This is 
a cancer that has touched many people, including the only brother of 
one of my brothers-in-law, a young boy who passed away at the age of 13 
with this very devastating disease.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, the cancer of the pancreas stands out as a highly 
lethal disease, with its victims facing the poorest likelihood of 
survival of all those who survive 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 fourth leading 
cause of cancer-related deaths.
  Only 4 percent of patients survive beyond 5 years. Men have higher 
incidences and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer than women in each 
racial or ethnic group. Black men and women have incidences and 
mortality rates that are 50 percent higher than the rates of whites. 
Rates for Hispanics and the Asian American groups are generally lower 
than that of whites. Cigarette smoking has been identified consistently 
as an important part of the cause.
  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.

                              {time}  1445

  The disease is often far advanced by the time symptoms occur and a 
diagnosis made.
  The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is dedicated to focusing 
national attention on the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. I 
support this resolution and Pan CAN's efforts to designate November as 
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
  Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished 
gentleman for his leadership and for yielding me this time, and I thank 
the sponsors of this legislation. I rise to support this resolution, 
which is H. Res. 276, which is supporting the goals and ideals of 
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
  We know that cancer can be deadly, but early detection is crucial. We 
also know how devastating the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be 
because of its rapid decline in the individual that has this particular 
disease. I know firsthand from a prominent citizen in my community, 
someone who was vibrant and contributing, who suffered through the 
disease of pancreatic cancer, having good days and bad days, having 
recoveries and then relapses.
  So I believe it is extremely important that we make the Nation aware 
of the deadliness of this particular form of cancer and the ability to 
continue to provide the instrument of early detection. I rise in 
support of this legislation, and as I do so, might I say and make a few 
comments about a number of resolutions that I would like to add a voice 
of support.
  Let me rise in support as well for S. 1413, the Colin L. Powell 
Residential Plaza Redesignation Act, that redesignates the plaza in 
Jamaica, West Indies, in honor of General Colin L. Powell, the former 
Secretary of State. We appreciate his leadership, his dedication to 
service and, as well, the statement that his family made coming here to 
the United States from Jamaica, West Indies, being immigrants and then, 
of course, being contributing

[[Page H8659]]

members of this Nation and, of course, to the United States armed 
services.
  Likewise, I would like to join my friend and colleague, the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Davis), in his resolution authorizing the use of the 
Capitol grounds for an event to commemorate the tenth anniversary of 
the Million Man March, and let me salute the concept of the Nation of 
Islam and Prime Minister Farrakhan for understanding it is a million 
more, for inviting communities from all over America, diverse ethnic 
and religious groups and racial groups to come simply to say that the 
poor have not been forgotten. I hope that as we commemorate, we will 
set a legislative agenda to turn around and to change America for the 
better.
  I add my support for H.R. 15, which deals with the supporting of the 
goals and ideals of the National Campus Safety Awareness Month. I do 
that for a general reason, but also, Madam Speaker, for a personal 
reason. I have two young people in my family, my daughter and my son, 
who are on college campuses today. I can assure you that, as a parent, 
you send your child off with the best intentions, but it is also very 
important to remind them nationally, if you will, even from the podium 
of the United States Congress, that all young people should be aware of 
the dangers of overdosing on drugs, of alcohol abuse, of hazing, of the 
dangers of altercations between students. Just this past couple of 
months, we buried a very bright young man in our community that we 
still mourn, and we do so because, unfortunately, he lost his life in 
an altercation and brawl on his campus, through no fault of his own, a 
bright, energetic and talented young man. His family still mourns, and 
his mother is seeking to be engaged in campus safety, and I look 
forward to working with her, so that we can find ways to touch students 
and touch their hearts.
  This legislation is so very important, because at least it makes a 
public and national statement that young people should be safe, but 
they should also be their brothers' and sisters' keeper. When you see 
something going on, tell someone in order to save a life. Campus safety 
also means campus involvement and campus recognition that we are in 
fact our brothers' and sisters' keeper.
  I would ask my colleagues to support the underlying bill which deals 
specifically with the idea of supporting the goals and ideals of 
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and, of course, I thank my 
colleagues for allowing me to submit statements on behalf of the above-
mentioned resolutions.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, I 
urge all Members to support the adoption of H. Res. 276, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 276.
  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. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam 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 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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