[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 143 (Tuesday, September 25, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10796-H10798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO INCREASE CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS, TREATMENT, 
                              AND RESEARCH

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 470) supporting efforts to increase childhood 
cancer awareness, treatment, and research.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 470

       Whereas an estimated 12,400 children are diagnosed with 
     cancer annually;
       Whereas cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in 
     children under age 15;
       Whereas an estimated 2,300 children die from cancer each 
     year;
       Whereas the incidence of cancer among children in the 
     United States is rising by about one percent each year;
       Whereas 1 in every 330 Americans develops cancer before age 
     20;
       Whereas approximately 8 percent of deaths of those between 
     1 and 19 years old are caused by cancer;
       Whereas while some progress has been made, a number of 
     opportunities for childhood cancer research still remain 
     unfunded or underfunded;
       Whereas limited resources for childhood cancer research can 
     hinder the recruitment of investigators and physicians to 
     pediatric oncology;
       Whereas peer-reviewed clinical trials are the standard of 
     care for pediatrics and have improved cancer survival rates 
     among children;
       Whereas the number of survivors of childhood cancers 
     continues to grow, with about 1 in 640 adults between ages 20 
     to 39 who have a history of cancer;
       Whereas up to two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors are 
     likely to experience at least one late effect from treatment, 
     many of which may be life-threatening;
       Whereas some late effects of cancer treatment are 
     identified early in follow-up and are easily resolved, while 
     others may become chronic problems in adulthood and may have 
     serious consequences; and
       Whereas 89 percent of children with cancer experience 
     substantial suffering in the last month of life: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that the Congress should support--
       (1) public and private sector efforts to promote awareness 
     about the incidence of cancer among children, the signs and 
     symptoms of cancer in children, treatment options, and long-
     term follow-up;
       (2) increased public and private investment in childhood 
     cancer research to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, 
     rehabilitation, post-treatment monitoring, and long-term 
     survival;
       (3) policies that provide incentives to encourage medical 
     trainees and investigators to enter the field of pediatric 
     oncology;
       (4) policies that provide incentives to encourage the 
     development of drugs and biologics designed to treat 
     pediatric cancers;
       (5) policies that encourage participation in clinical 
     trials;
       (6) medical education curricula designed to improve pain 
     management for cancer patients; and

[[Page H10797]]

       (7) policies that enhance education, services, and other 
     resources related to late effects from treatment.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and to include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  I rise today to express my strong support for House Resolution 470, 
supporting efforts to increase childhood cancer awareness, treatment, 
and research. I am proud to join my colleagues across the aisle and 
throughout this body in support of this resolution.
  September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, marking the time when 
we raise awareness of childhood cancer and the lives affected. Although 
cancer in children is rare, it is estimated that this year alone more 
than 12,000 children will be diagnosed with cancer and nearly one-fifth 
will die, making cancer the leading cause of disease-related deaths for 
children under the age of 15.
  House Resolution 470 reminds us that cancer occurring during 
childhood has harmful repercussions for a child's future well-being. 
Cancer compromises a child's natural defenses against other types of 
illnesses and destroys organs and bones. Cancer disrupts a child's life 
at a time when he or she should be otherwise more concerned with 
exploring the world and making new discoveries instead of undergoing 
chemotherapy or medical therapies.
  House Resolution 470 reminds us that more must be done to fight this 
devastating disease. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of those children 
and their families attempting to deal with such a terrible disease.
  I want to thank in particular the sponsor of this legislation, 
Representative Pryce of Ohio, because I know that she has worked so 
hard on this in trying to push it to the floor today. I urge all of my 
colleagues to do the same.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1415

  Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  I stand here today in support of this resolution, as does the full 
committee Chair, Joe Barton, and Ranking Member Nathan Deal, supporting 
efforts of this resolution, House Resolution 470, supporting the 
efforts to increase childhood cancer awareness, treatment and research.
  The sponsor of this bill, Representative Deborah Pryce, is a true 
champion for childhood cancers. Cancer is a brutal disease and so 
pervasive we are all closely touched by it. It is that much more 
devastating to see a young child suffer from cancer. This resolution 
serves to increase knowledge and awareness of cancer among children and 
how we can encourage research and education into the disease.
  Deborah Pryce is a committed mother and a dedicated and tireless 
advocate. Through this resolution, she is honoring not only the memory 
of her daughter, but also those of all children who have suffered from 
cancer. Childhood cancers affect the whole family: mothers and fathers, 
brothers and sisters.
  I think it can be said that we all will greatly miss Representative 
Pryce after her retirement from the House at the end of this Congress. 
She's leaving a legacy both for her work for her constituents in Ohio, 
as well as for the leadership of the House of Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield as much time as she may 
consume to the gentlelady from Ohio (Ms. Pryce).
  Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank Mr. Terry for the 
time and for those very kind words, and Mr. Pallone for his support in 
this cause, and the entire committee for allowing this to come forward.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a voice for the thousands of families 
across America who have been touched by pediatric cancer, and most 
importantly, the 12,000 children who will be diagnosed with the disease 
during this year alone.
  This resolution is about a promise to these families that medical 
advancement and understanding, coupled with a new resolve among 
researchers, advocates and public officials, will one day eradicate the 
heartache of pediatric cancer, and promise to the children of our 
Nation that we will do better to help them in their fight.
  The fight of a child with cancer involves many things. It involves 
being in the hospital and away from your siblings and your best 
friends, away from your toys and away from the comfort and love of your 
own home.
  It involves confusion and pain after you may have lost your best new 
friend from the hospital playroom and the heartache that a parent feels 
having to explain to their child why that happened, all the while 
knowing that their own child may share the same fate.
  And then, there's that different look in the eyes of your parents. Is 
that fear? But why? I'm going to get better, aren't I?
  Mr. Speaker, when a child is diagnosed with cancer, they're forced to 
say goodbye to their life as they knew it. As they say hello to IV 
poles and transfusions, catheters, chemotherapy, nausea, surgeries, 
isolation, they say goodbye to many other things. Because of 
compromised immune systems, they say goodbye to school and the ordinary 
routine of growing up. They say goodbye to their friends and their 
teachers. They say goodbye to their appetite, to their energy, to their 
hair, and possibly, to some of their limbs. They lose so much. But they 
never lose hope; and they never lose their dignity.
  Mr. Speaker, these are the bravest children I've ever, ever seen.
  September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This is the month that 
these brave kids and their families raise awareness of this awful 
disease. As these fearless children share their stories in Washington 
and elsewhere around the country, we learn about strength and courage 
and will. As their loving families share their stories about how cancer 
has touched their lives, we learn about resolve and the ultimate a 
parent can give.
  As we hear these stories, we will not lose sight of the incredible 
hope that these families are providing to tens of thousands of children 
and other families whose worlds have been turned upside down by cancer, 
kids whose dreams and aspirations are now in question, who must focus 
solely on beating this disease today before they can even think about 
tomorrow.
  Mr. Speaker, if you've ever looked into the eyes of one of these 
children who's so valiantly, courageously waging war against this 
devastating disease, you certainly could understand why we must 
continue our efforts to raise awareness, and why I stand here today to 
stress the perpetual importance of continued education and research.
  One child who suffers is one too many. We will continue to fight this 
terrible disease that's wrought so much suffering and pain on so many.
  This resolution honors all of the heroic children and thanks them for 
their courage and the eternal hope that they provide families 
everywhere.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 470, a 
resolution supporting efforts to increase childhood cancer awareness, 
treatment, and research.
  No child should have to experience and suffer the effects of cancer. 
And no parent should have to see their child suffer. I am proud to be 
working with Congresswoman Deborah Pryce on such an important issue. 
Together, we have introduced the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act. The 
Conquer Childhood Cancer Act would enhance and expand biomedical 
research programs in childhood cancer and establish a new fellowship 
program through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for pediatric 
cancer research. The bill would also increase informational and 
educational outreach to patients and families affected by pediatric 
cancer.
  Over the last several years after a successful doubling of the NIH 
budget that ended in

[[Page H10798]]

2003, funding for NIH and the National Cancer Institute has been flat. 
As a result, many cancer clinical trials have had to be scaled back. 
The Children's Oncology Group, which is headquartered in my 
congressional district, has had to put 20 new studies on hold and 
decrease enrollment of new clinical trials by 400 children. This is 
going in the wrong direction.
  Thanks to the past funding in childhood cancer research, we know that 
78 percent of childhood cancer patients overall are now able to 
survive. Forty years ago it was a much different story--the cure rates 
for children with cancer were lower than 10 percent. This shows that by 
funding biomedical research we can save lives. Congress must increase 
funding for NIH and NCI so that it can continue the groundbreaking, 
life-saving research that will lead to new cures and treatments.
  So, I not only urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 470, but I also 
urge my colleagues to cosponsor the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act and 
pass that much-needed legislation.
  Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would, again, urge passage of this 
resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 470.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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