[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 78 (Friday, May 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   URGING SUPPORT OF THE BREAST CANCER AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH ACT

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                         HON. PATRICK J. MURPHY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2007

  Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
urge support for greater research into the possible link between breast 
cancer and the environment. I am a supporter of the Breast Cancer and 
Environmental Research Act and I ask my colleagues to join me in 
cosponsoring this important legislation, as a tribute to all of our 
mothers on Mother's Day. This bill would invest in the research still 
necessary to determine the potential links between breast cancer and 
the environment, so we can better treat and eventually eradicate this 
terrible disease.
  Madam Speaker, families in the 8th District of Pennsylvania have 
urged me to fight for increased research into the potential links 
between the environment and breast cancer. It is especially important 
to me personally, as my own mother battled and beat breast cancer when 
I was a young child. I continue admire her bravery and determination, 
and I hope we can look to that strength as a model as we commit to 
doing everything in our power to find a cure.
  A woman in the United States has a 1 in 7 chance of developing 
invasive breast cancer during her lifetime--this risk was 1 in 11 in 
1975. Breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death 
among women.
  While important advances have been made, we still do not know what 
causes this disease, or how to prevent it. What better way to honor our 
mothers this year then to commit to finding answers to a disease 
suffered by more than 3 million women in this country? Let's declare 
war on breast cancer, and invest in getting the answers we need to 
eradicate this disease.
  I urge my fellow members to support of the bipartisan Breast Cancer 
and Environmental Research Act.

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