[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 135 (Friday, October 21, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S11735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING BARBARA GRASSLEY

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, October is Breast Cancer Month, and I 
wish to honor my wife, who is an 18-year survivor of breast cancer.
  I don't often speak about this, but October is the month to raise 
money and bring attention to the plight of those who have breast 
cancer, most often with the idea in mind of adding to research for a 
cure of breast cancer.
  My only opportunity to participate in this, besides a few remarks I 
make, is the second Saturday of October in Des Moines, IA, they have a 
5K to raise money. Sixteen thousand of us participated in that 5K 
fundraiser in Des Moines, IA. I have nothing to brag about because it 
took me 28 minutes 6 seconds, but I was glad to have the opportunity to 
help raise money for the cause.
  This morning, I would like to read a speech for my wife Barbara 
Grassley--today happens to be her 73rd birthday--about her personal 
challenge with breast cancer. Today is my wife's birthday, and it is 
fitting that we celebrate her victory over this.
  Barbara's story is a familiar one. She had many busy years raising 
our five children, helping run the family farm, particularly during 
those years that I was in the State legislature, busy participating in 
community and church activities, and even at age 50 going back and 
finishing her BA degree at the University of Northern Iowa. Barbara 
never worried about her own health. Then one casual visit to do a free 
cholesterol screening led to a doctor's visit for a physical exam. It 
was an appointment that changed her life. She was diagnosed with breast 
cancer. Just 10 days later, she had a modified radical mastectomy at 
Covenant Hospital in Waterloo. That was 18 years ago.
  We are fortunate that her breast cancer was detected early. We know 
with certainty that early detection can dramatically increase a woman's 
chance of defeating breast cancer. That is true for women like Barbara 
who have a family medical history working against them. 
Parenthetically, I think five out of six of my wife's aunts on her 
mother's side had breast cancer as well.
  The need for routine mammograms cannot be repeated too often. 
Baseline mammograms and regular screening are key to saving the lives 
of the thousands of women who develop this disease each year.
  As her husband and as a Senator, I follow closely the legislative 
commitment made to breast cancer research, education, and prevention. I 
am proud to be cosponsor of the Breast Cancer and Environmental 
Research Act. This bill before the HELP Committee would allow the 
Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to 
make grants to develop centers across the country. These centers will 
help conduct research on the environmental factors that may be related 
to breast cancer. I hope the HELP Committee will consider this bill as 
soon as possible.
  In the meantime, we must focus our efforts on finding a cure. In the 
past week, there have been breakthroughs on cancer research. Every day, 
we get one step closer to overcoming this disease.
  This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I hope men and women 
will take the opportunity to talk to their loved ones about getting a 
mammogram and preventing breast cancer. I hope we can continue to raise 
awareness of this disease for the sake of every mother, spouse, sister, 
daughter, and granddaughter in this world.
  I remind people especially of the luck of my wife going to that early 
detection. She went for just one of these community screenings. She 
didn't go to the doctor with any idea she would have anything wrong; 
she just went there and there were some questions raised. Every 
opportunity you have to take a quick one, if there is something wrong 
that can lead to the routine mammogram, you should do it because that 
surely made a difference in my wife's condition at the time. Early 
detection is so important.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Idaho.

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