[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 155 (Monday, October 15, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H11521-H11522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENSE OF THE HOUSE REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL CANCER 
                             RESEARCH MONTH

  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 448) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives that there should be established a National Cancer 
Research Month, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 448

       Whereas the American Association for Cancer Research, the 
     oldest and largest scientific cancer research organization in 
     the United States, was founded on May 7, 1907, at the Willard 
     Hotel in Washington, DC, by a group of physicians and 
     scientists interested in research to further the 
     investigation and spread new knowledge about cancer;
       Whereas the American Association for Cancer Research is 
     focused on every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer 
     research and is the authoritative source of information and 
     publications about advances in the causes, diagnosis, 
     treatment, and prevention of cancer;
       Whereas since its founding, the American Association for 
     Cancer Research has accelerated the growth and dissemination 
     of new knowledge about cancer and the complexity of this 
     disease to speed translation of new discoveries for the 
     benefit of cancer patients, and has provided the information 
     needed by elected officials to make informed decisions on 
     public policy and sustained funding for cancer research;
       Whereas partnerships with research scientists and the 
     general public, survivors and patient advocates, 
     philanthropic organizations, industry, and government have 
     led to advanced breakthroughs, early detection tools which 
     have increased survival rates, and a better quality of life 
     for cancer survivors;
       Whereas our national investment in cancer research has 
     yielded substantial returns in terms of research and advances 
     and lives saved, with a scholarly estimate that every 1-
     percent decline in cancer mortality saves our national 
     economy $500,000,000,000;
       Whereas cancer continues to be one of the most pressing 
     public health concerns, killing one American every minute, or 
     a dozen people worldwide every 60 seconds;
       Whereas the American Association for Cancer Research Annual 
     Meeting on April 14-18, 2007, was the world's largest and 
     most comprehensive gathering of leading cancer researchers, 
     scientists, and clinicians engaged in all aspects of clinical 
     investigations pertaining to human cancer as well as the 
     scientific disciplines of cellular, molecular, and tumor 
     biology; carcinogenesis; chemistry; developmental biology and 
     stem cells; endocrinology, epidemiology, and biostatistics; 
     experimental/molecular therapeutics; immunology; and 
     radiobiology/radiation oncology; imaging; prevention and 
     survivorship research;
       Whereas, as part of their Centennial, the American 
     Association for Cancer Research has published ``Landmarks in 
     Cancer Research'' citing the events or discoveries after 1907 
     that have had a profound effect on advancing our knowledge of 
     the causes, mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention 
     of cancer; these landmarks are intended as an educational, 
     living document, an ever-changing testament to human 
     ingenuity and creativity in the scientific struggle to 
     understand and eliminate the diseases collectively known as 
     cancer;
       Whereas more than 60 percent of all cancer occurs in people 
     over the age of 65, and issues relating to the interface of 
     aging and cancer, ranging from the most basic science 
     questions to epidemiologic relationships to clinical and 
     health services research issues, are of concern to society;
       Whereas the American Association for Cancer Research is 
     proactively addressing these issues paramount to our aging 
     population through a Task Force on Cancer and Aging, special 
     conferences, and other programs which engage the scientific 
     community in response to this demographic imperative; and
       Whereas May would be an appropriate month to recognize as 
     National Cancer Research Month: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That--
       (1) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
     there should be established a National Cancer Research Month 
     to support the American Association for Cancer Research in 
     public education efforts to make cancer research a national 
     and international priority so that one day the disease of 
     cancer will be relegated to history; and
       (2) the House of Representatives--
       (A) congratulates the American Association for Cancer 
     Research on its 100-year anniversary: ``A Century of 
     Leadership in Science--A Future of Cancer Prevention and 
     Cures'';
       (B) recognizes the invaluable contributions made by the 
     American Association for Cancer Research and its quest to 
     prevent and cure cancer and save lives through cancer 
     research; and
       (C) expresses the gratitude of the people of the United 
     States for the American Association for Cancer Research's 
     contributions and the progress in advancing cancer research.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin) the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Wisconsin.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the resolution now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 448, 
expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should 
be established a National Cancer Research Month.
  Preventing and ultimately finding a cure for cancer is a major public 
health challenge. The resolution before us calls for the establishment 
of a National Cancer Research Month, a time to bring public awareness 
of the nearly 200 forms of cancer and bring hope and a cure that cancer 
research provides. Providing a National Cancer Research Month will 
remind us that basic, clinical, epidemiological, and behavioral 
research are integral to identifying causes and developing strategies 
for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cures for cancer.
  This resolution also highlights the contributions of the American 
Association for Cancer Research, an organization that has been on the 
forefront of cancer research for more than 100 years. The American 
Association for Cancer Research was founded in 1907 by a group of 11 
physicians and scientists interested in cancer research.
  As the oldest and largest scientific organization in the world 
focused on every aspect of high quality, innovative cancer research, 
the American Association for Cancer Research has established a 
reputation for scientific breadth and excellence as premier researchers 
in the field.
  Today, the American Association for Cancer Research accelerates 
progress towards the prevention and cure of cancer by promoting 
research, education, communication, and advocacy

[[Page H11522]]

and fostering the exchange of knowledge and new ideas among scientists 
dedicated to cancer research, providing training opportunities for the 
next generation of cancer researchers and increasing public 
understanding of cancer.
  On this, their centennial year of service, we commend the work of the 
American Association for Cancer Research and applaud their effort to 
make cancer research a national and international priority. We owe a 
debt of gratitude to organizations like the American Association for 
Cancer Research for their contributions in advancing the public 
awareness of cancer and for excellence among its membership in the 
field of cancer research.
  I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. 
Matheson), for his work in raising this important issue, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FOSSELLA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, it is a dreaded word in the English language, and it 
is called ``cancer.'' Not a family in America is left unscathed or 
untouched by cancer and what it means to the families, and very often 
the terrible outcomes.
  If there is a positive light, we know over the last several decades 
in particular, many health care professionals, organizations and groups 
have dedicated not just time and money and research, but their true 
passion to helping find a cure and treat cancer in many different ways.
  I know on Staten Island this week we will have the annual breast 
cancer walk that will attract thousands of people, many of whom are 
survivors, and many who will work in remembrance and memorial of loved 
ones.
  That is why I join my colleague, the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. 
Baldwin), in support of H. Res. 448, expressing the sense of the House 
that there should be established a National Cancer Research Month. 
Perhaps it should be all year. I think it is important to at least 
acknowledge that National Cancer Research Month be this month.
  The purpose of establishing this month is to provide an opportunity 
to better educate the public in an effort to make cancer research a 
national priority.
  At the NIH, the National Cancer Institute conducts research into 
cancer in conjunction with numerous other institutes and centers. The 
NCI alone comprises one-third of the NIH's $30 billion budget. The work 
being done at the NIH towards cancer research is invaluable. 
Establishing a Cancer Research Month can help highlight what is being 
done by the scientific community and how the public can become 
involved.
  While acknowledging and putting aside this month is important, what 
is even more important is continuing to support the research of those 
caring, compassionate health care professionals and researchers who 
will one day find the cure for all cancers, and that should be our wish 
and national goal and priority.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time to 
close.
  Mr. FOSSELLA. Madam Speaker, I join my colleague from Wisconsin in 
supporting the resolution, and ask Members to support the resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues to 
support this bill. As our Nation's researchers continue to move us 
closer to a cure for cancer, it is important for us to recognize the 
work that these researchers do. Each piece of research, each project is 
a vital part of the solution that we will achieve when a cure is 
discovered. I thank my colleague, Mr. Matheson, for his work on this 
issue and urge passage of the resolution.
  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for 
H. Res. 448. This bipartisan resolution expresses the sense of the 
House of Representatives that the United States should establish a 
National Cancer Research Month.
  This year marks the 100th anniversary of the American Association for 
Cancer Research.
  Thanks to research and expanded cancer education, we have more early 
detectors, preventative measures, and treatments for cancer than ever 
before.
  But we still have a long road ahead of us. The American Cancer 
Society estimates that in the San Bernardino County alone, nearly 2,500 
Americans will die from a cancer-related illness in the upcoming year.
  Every American is touched by this horrible disease; thanks to great 
strides, the number of cancer-related deaths is declining.
  Strengthening research and public awareness of cancer will lead to 
more scientific breakthroughs that can increase survival rates for 
cancer patients--and give our cancer survivors a better quality of 
life.
  I urge my colleagues to cast a vote for hope, and to support this 
vital resolution.

                              {time}  1700

  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 448.
  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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