[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 6, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S58]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INOUYE:
  S. 51. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to recognize the 
United States Military Cancer Institute as an establishment within the 
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, to require the 
Institute to promote the health of members of the Armed Forces and 
their dependents by enhancing cancer research and treatment, to provide 
for a study of the epidemiological causes of cancer among various 
ethnic groups for cancer prevention and early detection efforts, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today, I am, again, introducing the United 
States Military Cancer Institute Research Collaborative Act. This 
legislation, twice passed by the Senate yet unsuccessful in the House, 
would formally establish the United States Military Cancer Institute, 
USMCI, and support the collaborative augmentation of research efforts 
in cancer epidemiology, prevention and control. Although the USMCI 
already exists as an informal collaborative effort, this bill will 
formally establish the institution with a mission of providing for the 
maintenance of health in the military by enhancing cancer research and 
treatment, and studying the epidemiological causes of cancer among 
various ethnic groups. By formally establishing the USMCI, it will be 
in a better position to unite military research efforts with other 
cancer research centers.
  Cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment are significant 
issues for the military population, thus the USMCI was organized to 
coordinate the existing military cancer assets. The USMCI has a 
comprehensive database of its beneficiary population of 9 million 
people. The military's nationwide tumor registry, the Automated Central 
Tumor Registry, has acquired more than 180,000 cases in the last 14 
years, and a serum repository of 30 million specimens from military 
personnel collected sequentially since 1987. This population is 
predominantly Caucasian, African-American, and Hispanic.
  The USMCI currently resides in the Washington, D.C., area, and its 
components are located at the National Naval Medical Center, the 
Malcolm Grow Medical Center, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, 
and the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute. There are more 
than 70 research workers, both active duty and Department of Defense 
civilian scientists, working in the USMCI.
  The Director of the USMCI, Dr. John Potter, intends to expand 
research activities to military medical centers across the nation. 
Special emphasis will be placed on the study of genetic and 
environmental factors in carcinogenesis among the entire population, 
including Asian, Caucasian, African-American and Hispanic 
subpopulations.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 51

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. THE UNITED STATES MILITARY CANCER INSTITUTE.

       (a) Establishment.--Chapter 104 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

     ``Sec. 2118. United States Military Cancer Institute

       ``(a) Establishment.--(1) There is a United States Military 
     Cancer Institute in the University. The Director of the 
     United States Military Cancer Institute is the head of the 
     Institute.
       ``(2) The Institute is composed of clinical and basic 
     scientists in the Department of Defense who have an expertise 
     in research, patient care, and education relating to oncology 
     and who meet applicable criteria for participation in the 
     Institute.
       ``(3) The components of the Institute include military 
     treatment and research facilities that meet applicable 
     criteria and are designated as affiliates of the Institute.
       ``(b) Research.--(1) The Director of the United States 
     Military Cancer Institute shall carry out research studies on 
     the following:
       ``(A) The epidemiological features of cancer, including 
     assessments of the carcinogenic effect of genetic and 
     environmental factors, and of disparities in health, inherent 
     or common among populations of various ethnic origins.
       ``(B) The prevention and early detection of cancer.
       ``(C) Basic, translational, and clinical investigation 
     matters relating to the matters described in subparagraphs 
     (A) and (B).
       ``(2) The research studies under paragraph (1) shall 
     include complementary research on oncologic nursing.
       ``(c) Collaborative Research.--The Director of the United 
     States Military Cancer Institute shall carry out the research 
     studies under subsection (b) in collaboration with other 
     cancer research organizations and entities selected by the 
     Institute for purposes of the research studies.
       ``(d) Annual Report.--(1) Promptly after the end of each 
     fiscal year, the Director of the United States Military 
     Cancer Institute shall submit to the President of the 
     University a report on the results of the research studies 
     carried out under subsection (b).
       ``(2) Not later than 60 days after receiving the annual 
     report under paragraph (1), the President of the University 
     shall transmit such report to the Secretary of Defense and to 
     Congress.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 104 of such title is amended by adding 
     at the end the following new item:

``2118. United States Military Cancer Institute.''.
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