[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 119 (Thursday, September 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORTING THE GOAL OF ELIMINATING SUFFERING AND DEATH DUE TO CANCER BY 
                             THE YEAR 2015

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 19, 2006

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. 
Res. 210, to support the goal of eliminating suffering and death due to 
cancer by 2015.
  Cancer is one of the most dreaded diagnoses a person can get. Every 
one of us has been affected by cancer, whether personally or through 
the experience of a family member or loved one.
  In fact, cancer affects one out of every two men and one out of every 
three women in this country. According to the American Cancer Society, 
1.3 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed this year, with 1,500 
Americans dying from cancer every single day.
  While the statistics are still staggering, the promise of a cure is 
closer than we had ever imagined. Thanks to the commitment of the 
Federal Government and our research institutions, cancer rates declined 
by nearly 10 percent in the 1990s, and new treatments are being 
developed every day.
  Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, the former Director of the National Cancer 
Institute, set a goal for the country to eliminate suffering and death 
due to cancer by 2015. In my hometown of Houston, we were proud to have 
Dr. von Eschenbach serve at MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the top 
cancer centers in the country in terms of both research and patient 
care. With all of his experience as a leader in the field of cancer 
research, if Dr. von Eschenbach thinks we can achieve this goal, I am 
confident that our hope for a cure is within reach.
  I thank my colleague, Mr. Shaw, for introducing this important 
resolution and encourage my colleagues to join me in support of it.

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