[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 19, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H6666-H6669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1430
SUPPORTING THE GOAL OF ELIMINATING SUFFERING AND DEATH DUE TO CANCER BY 
                             THE YEAR 2015

  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 210) supporting the 
goal of eliminating suffering and death due to cancer by the year 2015, 
as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 210

       Whereas this year alone, cancer will claim the lives of 
     more than 570,000 Americans--1,500 per day--and is the cause 
     of one of every four deaths in the United States;
       Whereas more than 1,300,000 new cancer cases will be 
     diagnosed in 2005;
       Whereas it is estimated that cancer cost the Nation nearly 
     $190,000,000,000 in 2003, including more than $69,000,000,000 
     in direct medical costs;
       Whereas the Nation's investment in cancer research and 
     programs has led to real progress--between 1991 and 2001, 
     cancer death rates declined by more than 9 percent and about 
     258,000 lives were saved;
       Whereas cancer touches almost every family, with over 
     10,000,000 Americans now living with a history of cancer;
       Whereas at least half of all cancer deaths could be 
     prevented by applying existing knowledge;
       Whereas the Director of the National Cancer Institute has 
     set a bold goal to eliminate suffering and death due to 
     cancer by 2015; and
       Whereas eliminating suffering and death due to cancer will 
     require a commitment by the Congress and the private sector 
     to continue to make the fight against cancer a priority: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress supports the goal of 
     eliminating suffering and death due to cancer by 2015.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Deal) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. 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. Con. Res. 210.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I am pleased to rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 
210, a resolution supporting the goal of eliminating suffering and 
death due to cancer by the year 2015.
  To many people, the goal of eliminating suffering and death due to 
cancer in under a decade may seem impossible or at least highly 
unlikely. But when we take a step back and look at the amazing things 
we have accomplished in the last three decades, I believe that with the 
hard work and concentrated effort of our Nation, this goal is realistic 
and achievable.
  Thirty years ago, just hearing the word ``cancer'' sent chills down 
people's spines. Cancer of any kind was seen as a virtual death 
sentence. And unfortunately, today cancer is still a death sentence for 
far too many people from all ages and all walks of life.
  But for an increasing number of Americans, cancer is no longer a 
death sentence as it once was. Rather, it is becoming a preventable, 
controllable, beatable disease. Today medical science is accomplishing 
things that were undreamed of 30 years ago. For the first time, we are 
seeing a decline in the numbers of lives claimed by cancer each year. 
People are living longer both with the disease and after the disease. 
Screening is better and more widespread than ever. Treatments are 
better and safer, and outcomes continue to improve. Based on the 
strides that we have made, I can honestly say I think we are winning 
the war on cancer.
  I can also say with confidence that the future of cancer research 
looks bright. With the mapping of the human genome, we will be able to 
identify each person's cancer-related genes. Using this information, we 
can design tailored prevention and treatment options for each 
individual patient. The availability of these advanced techniques is 
not a question of if, but when.
  While the goal of ending suffering and death from cancer by the year 
2015 requires us to set our eyes on the future, we must also focus on 
what can be done today. The resolution before us encourages Congress to 
examine how the resources of this great Nation can best be harnessed to 
reach the ultimate goal to finding a cure. Whether through government-
sponsored research, partnerships with the private sector, investors, or 
philanthropic organizations, we must pursue this enemy of cancer on all 
fronts.
  We must set priorities. We must demand more for our money. We must 
foster the next generation of cancer scientists and researchers and 
encourage more young people to enter this high calling. We must ensure 
that the fruits of research make their way into clinical practice and 
into public health efforts to reduce the burden of cancer. We must 
promote policies that encourage proper intellectual property 
management, the key to scientific innovation. We must make sure that 
people who qualify have access to clinical trials.
  But finally and most importantly, we must not forget the human face 
of cancer. Outside of this Chamber, thousands of people are gathering 
on the National Mall as part the American Cancer Society's Celebration 
on the Hill. People whose lives have been touched by cancer from every 
State and every congressional district across the United States have 
come to celebrate life, to remember those that were

[[Page H6667]]

lost, and to have their voices heard. I applaud their courage, faith 
and perseverance, and I look forward to meeting with many of them 
during the coming hours and days.
  With their help and shining example, along with the continued 
attention of this great Nation, we can meet the challenge set forth in 
the resolution, to end suffering and death from cancer by the year 
2015.
  In closing, I would like to commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Shaw) for introducing this important resolution. I urge my colleagues 
to support it.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I support the goal of ending suffering and death by 
cancer by the year 2015 as set forth in this resolution. It is 
certainly a commendable goal; and, of course, I support the resolution.
  But what is Congress doing to set up programs and strategic plans to 
make that goal a reality? For example, the National Cancer Institute 
has focused the fight against cancer on eight strategic objectives, 
including: First, understanding the causes and mechanisms of cancer; 
second, accelerating the progress in cancer prevention; third, 
improving early detection and diagnosis; fourth, developing effective 
and efficient treatment; fifth, understanding the factors that 
influence cancer outcomes; sixth, improving the quality of cancer care; 
seventh, improving the quality of life for cancer patients, survivors 
and their families; and, eighth, overcoming cancer health disparities.
  That is the National Cancer Institute. That is what they are focusing 
on. Congress, on the other hand, is doing little to help this fight. A 
resolution I would say is mere talk and does not actually take action 
to fight cancer.
  I think Congress has choices right now, and instead of passing this 
resolution, we should, for example, increase funding for NIH's cancer 
research, fund real stem cell research supported by the scientific 
community, fund the Department of Defense's breast cancer research 
program, and probably most important, expand health coverage to the 46 
million Americans that do not have it today. Three times as many people 
have lost health insurance as jobs since the Bush administration has 
come to power. Without health coverage, early detection and treatment 
are almost impossible.
  There are many cancers that can be cured today, such as cervical, 
breast and prostate cancer, but without health insurance, access to 
early detection or follow-up treatment it is almost impossible for the 
many hard-working people across this country.
  This year alone, Madam Speaker, cancer will claim the lives of 
570,000 Americans, that is 1,500 per day, almost half of those that 
gave their lives on September 11. In addition, 1.3 million new cases of 
cancer were diagnosed in 2005 alone.
  Again, the goal of this resolution is good. I support it, but we 
should be on the floor today supporting legislative action, not a 
resolution to help everyone suffering from or touched by cancer. As 
much as I support this resolution, I think that a lot more needs to be 
done that is not being addressed today by this Republican majority.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the author of the resolution, the gentleman from Florida 
(Mr. Shaw).
  Mr. SHAW. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge passage of this 
important bipartisan resolution that I introduced with my fellow cancer 
survivors and advocates Collin Peterson, Deborah Pryce, Lois Capps, Sue 
Myrick and Steve Israel, all cochairs of the 2015 Cancer Caucus.
  This resolution expresses Congress' support for the National Cancer 
Institute's goal of eliminating the suffering and death due to cancer 
by the year 2015.
  Cancer claims the lives of more than 570,000 Americans each year. 
That is right, over half a million, but we have yet to declare a full-
scale war on cancer. The passage of this resolution today puts us on 
record as going on the right track. Cancer affects everyone. It is not 
a Republican issue or a Democrat issue, it is an issue for our entire 
country, and it is an issue that faces the world.
  In 1961, President Kennedy established the lofty goal of putting a 
man on the moon in 10 years. This historic goal was achieved in just 8 
years. Just as this goal was established and achieved, so can the goal 
of 2015.
  We are very close to achieving the goal of ending cancer death and 
suffering. But when you are in a race and you see the finish line, you 
don't jog, you sprint. Scientists at the National Cancer Institute and 
other private and public research facilities across the country and 
world are conducting vital research each and every day that will enable 
cancer sufferers to be cancer survivors.
  We must show our solidarity on these efforts by fully supporting the 
2015 goal and providing the Federal resources necessary that to achieve 
it. Over the last 5 years, we have doubled the research dollars for 
cancer, but yet that is not enough. I see no better legacy for future 
generations than ending cancer suffering and cancer death.
  Over 10,000 cancer survivors and advocates from across the country 
are converging on the Capitol this week for the American Cancer 
Society's Celebration on the Hill. These heroes will be visiting every 
one of our offices this week. When you visit with them, and I hope you 
will visit with them and not push them off to staff, I hope you pledge 
your strongest support on the war against cancer.
  We must work together to provide Federal funding needed for research 
efforts and pass legislation to support early diagnosis and treatment. 
Ending the suffering and death due to cancer will be achieved with 
momentous global proportions, the most important public health 
achievement of all time. I urge passage of this important resolution.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Stark).
  (Mr. STARK asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, I would like to address my remarks to the 
thousands of cancer advocates in Washington this week and thank them 
for their service and dedication. They have come to Washington to tell 
Congress to make concrete commitments to fight cancer, but instead of 
action, they get this useless resolution.
  Cancer patients, survivors and advocates are getting nothing but 
empty words. It is all hat and no cattle. It is typical of Republicans' 
approach to serious problems in this country. I am surprised that they 
didn't try and land on an aircraft carrier and declare that cancer was 
conquered. I am offended that the Republican do-nothing Congress is 
bringing forth a do-nothing resolution as its response to fighting 
cancer.
  No cancer advocate in our country should be appeased by this vote. 
The resolution is empty rhetoric and not action. And action is what is 
needed for cancer, for AIDS, for Parkinson's disease, and so many other 
diseases that impact our citizens and people around the world.
  The sponsor of this resolution is offering a few platitudes that 
agree with the laudable goal of eliminating suffering and death due to 
cancer by the year 2015. I don't know anybody that would not subscribe 
to that. Maybe move it up to the year 2010, but I can't think of a 
human being that would object to that.
  But how does this resolution achieve that goal? Does it increase the 
NIH funding for cancer research? No. Do the Republicans oppose that? 
Yes.
  Does it boost support for the Department of Defense breast cancer 
research program? Not one penny.
  Does it extend the expiring tax credit for research and development 
of life-saving cancer treatments? No. That, by the way, is something 
that a few Republicans support, but they can't seem to get it to the 
floor to get a vote. And they control this place. If they can't get it 
to the floor, who can?
  Does it provide for stem cell research as advocated by the scientific 
community? No. They are pandering to a bunch of religious radicals and 
avoiding dealing with scientific research

[[Page H6668]]

that is needed to cure these diseases. They put their head in the sand 
and pander to political contributions.
  The sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Shaw), voted to cut money for the Centers for Disease Control and early 
detection and prevention of cancer. This resolution doesn't restore 
that.
  Does it expand health coverage to the nearly 47 million Americans who 
lack health insurance, can't even find out if they have cancer and, 
therefore, fail to get the preventive care available to them? No, it 
does not add insurance to one of the 47 million people without health 
insurance in this country, who, therefore, do not get medical care. It 
is the Republican way of all talk and no action.
  This resolution is an affront to those who have traveled here from 
across our Nation to advocate better cancer care. Not only does this 
resolution fail to do anything to help eliminate cancer, but this 
Congress is taking us in the wrong direction. Led by the Republicans, 
President Bush and this Congress have aggressively cut funding for NIH. 
This year, adjusted for inflation, they have cut $213 million. Over the 
last 4 years, they have reduced the agency's purchasing power by more 
than 12 percent.
  The cuts aren't just to research. Since President Bush and the 
Republican leadership have taken office, nearly 7 million people have 
lost their health insurance, and we all know that is the only way to 
get proper care. The President used the only veto of his administration 
to keep in place restrictions on life-saving stem cell research, and 
the Republican leadership in this Congress didn't have the courage to 
override that.
  I guess I could go on, but I think I have made my point. I 
wholeheartedly agree we must do much more to eradicate cancer and other 
dreaded diseases, but I, like the American public, want action, not 
words. That is why I suspect the American public will join with us in 
voting for a change in direction in this Congress. We need a new 
direction. We need people who will put their money where their mouth is 
and will vote to take action that is so close within our grasp to help 
these people and not just sit up and preen and say, My goodness, we 
think cancer is bad. Let's do something about it.
  I urge cancer advocates across the country to recognize this 
resolution for what it is: a pathetic attempt to play lip service to an 
issue that requires resources, not rhetoric.

                              {time}  1445

  You could replace the inheritance tax. That will give you enough 
money to fund many of these programs, instead of standing up, sticking 
your thumb in the pie, and saying, ``What a good boy am I.''
  Let's get busy. Let's change the direction of this Congress. Let's 
change the leadership and get action toward finding a cure for cancer, 
not empty rhetoric.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I would just say that, again, while the Democrats support this 
resolution, we are very concerned over the fact that it is essentially 
commemorative in nature and it does not do anything in terms of funding 
or addressing any of the problems that have been outlined by the 
National Cancer Institute in order to move forward and eliminate cancer 
by the year 2015. So while we think it is a good resolution and we do 
support it, we need to point out that the Republican majority is 
essentially doing nothing to implement a strategy that would actually 
lead us to the eradication of cancer.
  Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  It is apparent that there is more than one cancer that we are 
fighting around here, and that is the cancer of political rhetoric that 
would take a resolution designed to say that we have a goal of 
eliminating cancer within the next 10 years and try to change it into 
one of political talk.
  I would invite the gentleman from California to accompany me and Mr. 
Pallone tomorrow to the Energy and Commerce Committee, where we will be 
voting to once again reauthorize and to change and expand the concept 
of the National Institutes of Health of which the Cancer Institute is 
one.
  I would remind him that the National Institutes of Health funding has 
been doubled during the Republican control of this Congress, something 
that has not happened prior to that time.
  Everyone knows that this is a resolution on its face that is designed 
to say let us all get behind this issue and put aside political 
rhetoric and try to have an achievable goal. It is regrettable, and I 
would apologize to those who are here because they are concerned about 
the issue of doing something about it, that even a resolution of 
encouragement and establishing a goal has to take on political 
overtones.
  Tomorrow, the Energy and Commerce Committee will reauthorize and 
change some of the provisions that have hampered research within the 
National Institutes of Health and in that will be the Institute for 
Cancer Research, and I think that is a laudable goal, one that we will 
be bringing to the floor in the not-too-distant future.
  I urge the adoption of the resolution.
  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, too many people, either personally or 
through a loved one, have felt the pain of cancer. It strikes 1 out of 
every 2 men and 1 out of every 3 women and will tragically claim more 
than 570,000 American lives this year alone.
  Cancer is a complex disease that takes many forms. It can attack a 
single organ or the whole body. It can be caused by genetic factors, 
environmental circumstances, or both. Without early detection or 
treatment, it can lead to debilitating illness and often death.
  On behalf of the Federal Government, the National Cancer Institute 
(NCI) has led the fight against cancer since its inception in 1937. NCI 
conducts and supports research, training, health information 
dissemination, and other program with respect to the cause, diagnosis, 
prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and 
the continuing care of cancer patients and their families.
  The National Cancer Institute set for itself the goal of ending 
cancer suffering and death by 2015. Over the last several years, NCI 
has taken on this challenge by working with expert staff and identified 
critical paths needed to make the vision a reality. This includes 
developing a strategic plan and framework for use of funding, 
infrastructure, tools, and other resources.
  Eliminating cancer suffering and death is a true possibility. 
Americans have already received the benefits of investment in research 
and other cancer programs--between 1991 and 2001, cancer deaths 
declined by more than 9 percent. Moreover, doctors are able to help 
patients defeat a number of cancers if detected early, including 
cervix, breast, colon, and prostrate cancer. And today 3 out of 4 
children with cancer are cured.
  The resolution that we are discussing today expresses Congress's, 
support of ending suffering and death due to cancer. But we can best 
push for the continued decline of cancer death and suffering by making 
it a national priority and making the right budget and policy choices 
to meet this goal by 2015.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support this 
resolution, which recognizes the goal of eliminating suffering and 
death due to cancer by the year 2015.
  Investments in cancer research and programs continue to be a crucial 
part of tackling and eliminating this devastating disease. Thanks to 
prior investments in cancer research and programs, we are making 
remarkable progress in the fight against cancer.
  When Congress and President Nixon joined forces to fight the battle 
against cancer in 1971, cancer was largely a death sentence. Thirty 
five years later, our national research investment has yielded 
substantial gains.
  Today, early detection can defeat some of the more common cancers, 
such as cancer of the cervix, breast, colon and prostate. These 
represent more than half of all cancers.
  In addition, childhood cancer is curable in 3 out of 4 patients. The 
development of colon cancer screening tests and treatments has led to a 
90 percent 5-year survival rate for colon cancers caught in the 
earliest stages and 64 percent when the cancer has spread only to 
adjacent organs or lymph nodes.
  Though such progress is encouraging, we still have much work to do. 
Cancer has now surpassed heart disease as the number one killer of 
Americans under age 85.
  Cancer strikes 1 out of every 2 men and 1 out of every 3 women. This 
year alone, cancer will claim the lives of more than 570,000 
Americans--1500 lives per day--and is the cause of 1 out of every 4 
deaths in the United States.
  It is imperative that we continue to fund and expand medical research 
to forge the battle

[[Page H6669]]

against this deadly enemy. As Americans, we have a strong history, 
through science and innovation, of detecting, conquering and defeating 
many illnesses. We must and we will continue to fight cancer until the 
battle is won.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
210, a resolution to support the National Cancer Institute, NCI, in its 
goal of eliminating death and suffering due to cancer by 2015. We can 
and we must make the 2015 goal a priority, but we cannot do that if we 
continue to cut and underfund the very researchers working to make it a 
reality.
  Thanks to research, great progress has been made against cancer in 
the last three decades. In 1976, half of all cancer patients survived 
more than 5 years after diagnosis. Today, closer to two-thirds or 63 
percent of adults and 85 percent of children are alive 5 years after 
they learn they have cancer. Let's build on that progress.
  Since cancer is more common among older Americans and the American 
population is aging, by the year 2050 the number of new cancer cases in 
America could more than double, with estimates as high as 2.46 million 
new cases annually. Cancers cost the United States an estimated $210 
billion in 2005. This amount included $74 billion in direct medical 
costs and nearly $136 billion in lost productivity. And advances in 
biomedical research benefit not only cancer treatment, but provide 
information on molecular and genetic processes that will aid in a 
better understanding in the underlying causes of virtually all 
diseases.
  NCI, part of the National Institutes of Health, is the Federal 
Government's principal agency for cancer research and training. The NCI 
has a goal of eliminating all suffering and death due to cancer by the 
year 2015. I believe that eliminating suffering and death due to cancer 
by the year 2015 should be America's goal.
  Madam Speaker, when the House leadership finally schedules a vote on 
the Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations bill for Fiscal 
Year 2007, LHHS, I intend to sponsor an amendment that fully funds NCI. 
The President's proposed 2007 Budget cuts funding to NCI by over $39.7 
million and the LHHS bill as written currently includes the same 
underfunding. The Higgins Amendment to LHHS will restore $240 million 
in funding to NCI, bringing its total to $5,033,000,000.
  Additionally, I will support projects that advance the mission of the 
Roswell Park Cancer Institute and other local cancer research, 
treatment, and advocacy projects. Western New York is home to Roswell 
Park Cancer Institute, a premier cancer research and treatment facility 
and one of Western New York's top 20 employers. The research done at 
Roswell has the potential to blow the research field open--and the care 
provided there to patients cannot be matched.
  Finally, I intend to support expanding programs that detect cancer 
early and help Americans get treatment. These programs significantly 
reduce the cost to our nation's healthcare system by treating people 
early. There are proven programs like the Breast and Cervical Early 
Detection Program, which help underserved communities get diagnosed and 
treated early. Because of underfunding these programs cannot reach all 
the people who need them.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I am pleased that we are here 
today uniting behind this bill and this goal, but we can and we must do 
much more than pay lip service to meeting the 2015 deadline. Let's take 
this opportunity to come together and eradicate cancer by fully funding 
NCI, by supporting local centers, and by reauthorizing and funding the 
very programs that reach the men, women, and children who need them 
most and can least afford them.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 210, as amended.
  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. SHAW. 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 question will 
be postponed.

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