[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 14, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14420-S14421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           WORLD DIABETES DAY

  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the 
immediate consideration of S. Res. 382 submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 382) supporting the goals and ideals 
     of World Diabetes Day.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, today I was pleased to introduce a 
Senate resolution recognizing November 14 as World Diabetes Day. I am 
also pleased to be joined by my colleagues, Senators Pete Domenici and 
Frank Lautenberg. Established in 1991 by the World Health Organization 
and the International Diabetes Federation, this day has been recognized 
annually as World Diabetes Day.
  Through World Diabetes Day, advocates worldwide can coordinate 
diabetes awareness activities and create a sense of urgency about this 
devastating disease. In almost every nation, diabetes is on the rise. 
In the United States, diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death by 
disease. Globally, diabetes is fourth.
  Diabetes currently affects 246 million people worldwide and is 
projected to affect 380 million by 2025. Last year, the United Nations 
passed landmark Resolution 61/225 recognizing diabetes as a chronic, 
debilitating, and costly disease.
  Each year, over 3.7 million people die due to diabetes. An even 
greater number die from cardiovascular disease exacerbated by diabetes-
related lipid disorders. Every 10 seconds, two people develop diabetes 
and one person dies from diabetes-related causes.
  The prevalence of diabetes is increasing in Michigan--from 5.3 
percent to 7.9 percent over the past 10 years. There are 1.3 million 
Michiganians who have diabetes or are prediabetic. Michigan has the 
seventh highest rate of diabetes in the Nation, and diabetes costs our 
State's economy $6 billion a year in health costs and lost 
productivity. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in Michigan 
and the fourth leading cause of death among African-American females in 
Michigan.
  This year, the World Diabetes Day campaign will focus on the message 
that no child should die of diabetes.'' I take this goal very 
seriously. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I am committed to 
ensuring our children have healthy options in their school meals. And I 
am working with Senator Domenici on reauthorizing the Special Diabetes 
Program.
  We can no longer ignore the growing incidence of diabetes. Instead, 
let us draw worldwide attention to prevention, access, and treatment.
  Finally, I am pleased to have letters of support from diabetes 
advocacy organizations. I ask unanimous consent that they be printed in 
the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                            International Diabetes Federation,

                             Brussels, Belgium, November 11, 2007.
     Hon. Debbie Stabenow,
     Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Pete Domenici,
     Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear U.S. Senator Stabenow and U.S. Senator Domenici: The 
     International Diabetes Federation (IDF), an over 50-year old 
     worldwide alliance of over 200 diabetes associations in more 
     than 160 countries, is pleased to endorse H. Con. Res. 211, 
     your resolution supporting the goals and ideals of World 
     Diabetes Day.
       Established by the World Health Organization and 
     International Diabetes Federation in 1991, World Diabetes Day 
     has been commemorated annually on November 14th. World 
     Diabetes Day has succeeded in elevating and coordinating 
     diabetes advocacy globally. Further, it is especially 
     meaningful for the international diabetes advocacy community 
     that on December 20, 2006, the General Assembly of the United 
     Nations passed a landmark Resolution recognizing diabetes as 
     a chronic, debilitating and costly disease.
       Cities and nations all over the world are holding events to 
     celebrate World Diabetes

[[Page S14421]]

     Day. For example, in Egypt, the well-known Bibliotheca 
     Alexandrina (Library of Alexandria) will light up in blue on 
     November 14th. And, La Federacion Mexicana de Diabetes 
     (Mexican Diabetes Federation) has planned a series of events 
     throughout Mexico to mark this year's World Diabetes Day, 
     including a diabetes awareness week in Jalisco, walks in 
     Mexico City and Guanajuato, and activities for children and 
     adolescents in Chihuahua.
       Senators Stabenow and Domenici, we share your particular 
     enthusiasm that the 2007 Campaign's theme focuses on raising 
     awareness of diabetes in children and adolescents, who face 
     unique challenges when diagnosed with diabetes. The campaign 
     aims, among other objectives, to firmly establish the message 
     that ``no child should die of diabetes''.
       Thank you for your leadership on this important global 
     health awareness campaign, Senators Stabenow and Domenici.
           Sincerely,
     Martin Silink.
                                  ____



                                American Diabetes Association,

                                                November 14, 2007.
     Sen. Debbie Stabenow,
     Hart Senate Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
     Sen. Pete Domenici,
     Hart Senate Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senators: On behalf of the 20.8 million children and 
     adults living with diabetes in the Unites States, the 
     American Diabetes Association is pleased to endorse your 
     resolution supporting the goals and ideals of World Diabetes 
     Day. This important day has succeeded in elevating and 
     coordinating diabetes education and advocacy around the world 
     and we applaud your leadership in bringing congressional 
     attention to it.
       Established by the World Health Organization and 
     International Diabetes Federation in 1991, World Diabetes Day 
     has been commemorated annually on November 14th. On December 
     20, 2006, the General Assembly of the United Nations passed a 
     landmark Resolution recognizing diabetes as a chronic, 
     debilitating and costly disease, and designating World 
     Diabetes Day as a United Nations Day to be observed every 
     year starting this year.
       As you know, Diabetes is a lifelong chronic disease that 
     has become a health problem of epidemic proportions around 
     the globe. More than 240 million people worldwide are living 
     with diabetes. This number is expected to exceed 350 million 
     in less than 20 years if action is not taken. Diabetes is the 
     fifth highest cause of disease-related death, killing more 
     than 2.9 million people from diabetesrelated complications 
     annually, greater than 600 people each day in our own 
     country. In fact, every 10 seconds a person dies of diabetes-
     related causes--including heart disease, stroke, blindness, 
     kidney disease and amputations.
       Children are not spared from this global epidemic, with its 
     debilitating and life-threatening complications. The theme of 
     this year's World Diabetes Day campaign is `Diabetes in 
     Children and Adolescents.' Type 1 diabetes is growing by 3% 
     per year in children and adolescents, and at an alarming 5% 
     per year among pre-school children. Type 2 diabetes was once 
     seen as a disease of adults. Today, this type of diabetes is 
     growing at alarming rates in children and adolescents. In the 
     United States, it is estimated that type 2 diabetes 
     represents between 8 and 45% of new-onset diabetes cases in 
     children depending on geographic location. Early diagnosis 
     and early education are crucial to reducing complications and 
     saving lives.
       Senator Stabenow and Senator Domenici, we share your 
     enthusiasm that the 2007 Campaign's theme focuses on raising 
     awareness of diabetes in children and adolescents, who face 
     unique challenges when diagnosed with diabetes. Passage of 
     this resolution will send a powerful message about the 
     seriousness of this disease and help to alleviate the human, 
     economic and social burden of diabetes.
       Thank you, again, for your leadership on this important 
     global health awareness campaign. In this, and in other 
     diabetes issues, the American Diabetes Association stands 
     ready to support your efforts.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Hunter Limbaugh,
                               Chair, National Advocacy Committee.

  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the 
table en bloc, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 382) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 382

       Whereas the World Health Organization and the International 
     Diabetes Federation established World Diabetes Day in 1991 
     with the aim of coordinating diabetes advocacy worldwide;
       Whereas World Diabetes Day is celebrated annually on 
     November 14;
       Whereas, on December 20, 2006, the General Assembly of the 
     United Nations passed a landmark resolution recognizing 
     diabetes as a chronic, debilitating, and costly disease;
       Whereas the resolution designates World Diabetes Day as a 
     United Nations Day to be observed every year starting in 2007 
     in order to raise global awareness of diabetes;
       Whereas the theme of the 2007 United Nations World Diabetes 
     Day campaign focuses on raising awareness of diabetes in 
     children and adolescents, who face unique challenges when 
     diagnosed with diabetes;
       Whereas the United Nations campaign aims, among other 
     objectives, to firmly establish the message that no child 
     should die of diabetes;
       Whereas the global diabetes epidemic has devastating 
     effects on families, societies, and national economies;
       Whereas diabetes is the 4th leading cause of death by 
     disease in the world, and is the 6th leading cause of death 
     in the United States;
       Whereas diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, kidney 
     failure, amputation, heart attack, and stroke;
       Whereas in almost every country the incidence of diabetes 
     is increasing, growing from an estimated 30,000,000 people 
     worldwide in 1985 to an estimated 245,000,000 people in 2007, 
     and to 380,000,000 by 2025, as reported by the International 
     Diabetes Federation;
       Whereas diabetes is one of the most common chronic 
     childhood diseases;
       Whereas diabetes can strike children at any age, and when 
     diagnosed in young people the risk of developing life-
     threatening complications at an early age increases and life 
     expectancy is shortened by, on average, 10 to 20 years;
       Whereas new figures from the International Diabetes 
     Federation's Diabetes Atlas suggest that more than 70,000 
     children develop type 1 diabetes each year and 440,000 
     children worldwide under the age of 14 now live with type 1 
     diabetes;
       Whereas recent data indicate that 1 out of every 3 children 
     born in the United States will develop diabetes during their 
     lifetime, including 1 out of every 2 children from ethnic 
     minority groups;
       Whereas in low- and middle-income countries, many children 
     with diabetes die because they are diagnosed late or 
     misdiagnosed or because insulin is unaffordable, unavailable, 
     or in short supply;
       Whereas the incidence of type 2 diabetes, which was 
     previously rare in children, is rising at alarming rates, 
     with more than 200 children a day developing this form of 
     diabetes;
       Whereas obesity is a major contributor to type 2 diabetes;
       Whereas according to the International Obesity Task Force 
     of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 
     155,000,000 school-age children worldwide are overweight, 
     representing at least 1 out of every 10 school-age children;
       Whereas at least 30,000,000 of those overweight children 
     are classified as obese, accounting for at least 2 percent of 
     the world's children between the ages of 5 and 17 years of 
     age;
       Whereas research has shown conclusively that type 2 
     diabetes can be prevented or significantly delayed through 
     healthy weight maintenance and regular physical activity;
       Whereas adopting a lifestyle high in physical activity and 
     adopting a low-sugar, low-fat diet can successfully prevent 
     the onset of obesity and diabetes among school-age children;
       Whereas diabetes is costly, with the world estimated to 
     spend at least $232,000,000,000 in 2007 and over 
     $302,500,000,000 by 2025 to treat and prevent diabetes and 
     its complications;
       Whereas world treatment costs for diabetes are growing more 
     quickly than the world population;
       Whereas diabetes threatens to subvert global economic 
     advancement by both straining government budgets worldwide 
     (with the cost of diabetes-related disability payments, 
     pensions, social and medical service costs, and lost revenue) 
     and burdening private health insurers and employers with 
     spiraling health care costs;
       Whereas by 2025 the largest increases in diabetes 
     prevalence will take place in developing countries, whose 
     economies are less able to support increased expenditures to 
     provide for those with the disease and engage in effective 
     prevention efforts; and
       Whereas the economic impact of diabetes threatens to 
     undermine the achievement of the United Nation's Millennium 
     Development Goals for developing countries: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of 
     World Diabetes Day.

                          ____________________