[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.
____________________