[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 20, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H200-H202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING NANCY GOODMAN BRINKER
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 708) congratulating Nancy Goodman Brinker for
receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 708
Whereas Ambassador Brinker is the founder of the Susan G.
Komen for the Cure, the world's leading breast cancer grass
roots organization, and Ambassador Brinker established the
organization in memory of her sister, who passed away from
cancer in 1980;
Whereas through innovative events like Race for the Cure,
the organization has given and invested nearly 1.5 billion
for research, health services and education services since
its founding in 1982;
Whereas the Susan G. Komen for the Cure has developed a
worldwide grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and
activists who are working together to save lives, empower
people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to
find cures;
Whereas Ambassador Brinker has served as Chair of the
President's Cancer Panel (1990);
Whereas Ambassador Brinker has served as United States
Ambassador to Hungary (2001-2003);
Whereas Ambassador Brinker has served as Chief of Protocol
of the United States (2007-2009);
Whereas, in May of this year, Ambassador Brinker was named
the first-ever World Health Organization's Goodwill
Ambassador for Cancer Control;
Whereas, on July 30, 2009, President Obama named Peoria
native Ambassador Nancy Goodman Brinker as a recipient of the
Presidential Medal of Freedom;
Whereas the Presidential Medal of Freedom is America's
highest civilian honor that is awarded to individuals who
make an especially meritorious contribution to the security
or national interests of the United States, world peace,
cultural or other significant public or private endeavors;
Whereas Ambassador Brinker's public service has impacted
millions of lives and her work, from promoting cancer
research to promoting freedom around the world, and has been
praised by members of both parties; and
Whereas President Obama will present Illinois native
Ambassador Nancy Goodman Brinker with the Presidential Medal
of Freedom on Wednesday, August 12, 2009: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates
Nancy Goodman Brinker for receiving the Presidential Medal of
Freedom.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schock)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
General Leave
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and add any extraneous materials.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Massachusetts?
There was no objection.
Mr. LYNCH. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, I am proud to present H. Res. 708 for consideration. This
legislation expresses our congratulations to Ms. Nancy Goodman Brinker
for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
House Resolution 708 was introduced by my colleague and friend
Representative Aaron Schock of Illinois on July 31, 2009, and was
favorably reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee
by voice vote on December 10, 2009. In addition, the legislation enjoys
the support of nearly 60 Members of Congress.
Mr. Speaker, seeing that my colleague is the lead sponsor of this, I
will reserve the balance of my time and allow the gentleman to offer
this resolution.
Mr. SCHOCK. Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my appreciation to my
friend from Massachusetts. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, we rise today to honor a great woman, a great leader,
and, really, an icon in our country and around the world for what the
power of one person, working with hundreds and thousands of others, but
really one person's vision, tenacity, and hard work can mean for her
fellow mankind on Earth.
We rise today to honor Nancy Goodman Brinker. She was born December
6, 1946, in Peoria, Illinois, and is most notably known for her work
with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, the world's leading
breast cancer grassroots organization, which has impacted millions of
lives.
This organization was established in memory of her sister, Susie
Komen, who passed away from cancer in 1980. Ms. Brinker since then has
also founded the Susan G. Komen for the Cure's signature program, the
Race for the Cure, the largest series of 5-K run and fitness walks in
the world.
Since its origin in 1983 in Dallas, Texas, the Race for the Cure
series has grown from one local race with 800 participants to a
national series of 112 races that yielded just over 1.5 million
participants last year.
Ms. Brinker's contributions to society extend beyond her work with
the Susan G. Komen centers. Ms. Brinker has served in the government as
Chair of the President's Cancer Panel in the early 1990s. She then went
as the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary from 2001 to 2003, and then as the
Chief of Protocol for the United States from 2007 to 2009.
{time} 1045
Time magazine in 2008 named her as one of the 100 most influential
people in the entire world. In July, 2009, President Obama named Nancy
Goodman Brinker as a recipient of the 2009 Presidential Medal of
Freedom. The Presidential Medal of Freedom, of course, is America's
highest civilian honor that is awarded to individuals who make an
especially meritorious contribution to the security or national
interest of the United States, world peace, cultural, or other
significant public or private endeavors. She was presented the
Presidential Medal of Freedom on Wednesday, August 12, 2009. The
inscription on her Presidential Medal of Freedom says this: Drawing
strength from tragedy, Nancy Goodman Brinker has transformed the
Nation's approach to breast cancer.
When her sister was diagnosed in 1977, most breast cancer victims
knew relatively little about the disease and suffered from popular
stigmas. Nancy Brinker promised to challenge these norms. She founded
Susan G. Komen for the Cure in honor of her sister. Today, the
organization supports research and community awareness programs across
the United States and around the world. Nancy Goodman Brinker's unique
passion and determination have been a blessing to all those whose lives
have been touched by breast cancer. In fact, it's these 1.5 million
participants in the Race for the Cure and the thousands of people that
this organization have touched that have led to the increased awareness
of breast cancer. It's her work that has led to the infamous pastel
pink being synonymous with breast cancer awareness and the work of the
organization.
But let us be clear. The work has done much more then just create
awareness about breast cancer research. Nancy Goodman Brinker's work
has saved lives. In fact, the work of the Susan G. Komen Centers has
generated over its 27 years $1.5 billion in cancer research. As a
result, we have discovered the first breast cancer susceptibility gene.
The research dollars have led to the first use of magnetic resonance
imaging scanners, or MRIs. They discovered the pathways that some
cancer cells take in the body, leading to treatments to potentially
stop the spread of cancers to other organs. And as a result of this
continuous work, mortality from breast cancer is down. In the last
decade, deaths from breast cancer fell by over 20 percent, and more
than 2.5 million people in the United States are breast cancer
survivors, the largest group of cancer survivors in America.
Now, as we read through the life and the work of Nancy Goodman
Brinker, one might think this sounds like an obituary. But, my friends,
rest assured Nancy Goodman Brinker's contributions to society are far
from over. While many might retire, given this long resume of
accomplishments, she continues to take on the mantle and
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fight. Since her retirement from public service in our government, she
has returned back as the CEO of the Susan G. Komen Centers and also was
recently named the first ever World Health Organization's Goodwill
Ambassador for Cancer Control.
Finally, I'd like to read a quote by our President, Barack Obama,
when he issued the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Ms. Brinker. He
said, One of the last things Susie Komen did before she passed away was
ask her sister Nancy to make her a promise. Nancy promised her she
would prevent other families battling breast cancer from hurting the
way theirs had. What began with $200 and a list of friends has become a
global race for the cure, a campaign that has eased the pain and saved
the lives of millions around the world. In the months after her
sister's death, Nancy lay awake at night thinking about the promise she
had made and wondering whether one person could really make a
difference. Nancy's life is the answer.
Mr. Speaker, that is the reason we rise today to honor Nancy Goodman
Brinker for what she has done, for what she continues to do, and for
the inspiration that she is to all Americans of what one person can do
for their country and for the world.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LYNCH. I thank the gentleman for his remarks.
As was noted, on August 12, 2009, President Obama awarded the
Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is our Nation's highest civilian
honor, to Ambassador Nancy Goodman Brinker in recognition of her
efforts to advance breast cancer awareness and research. As noted by
the President during the 2009 Medal of Freedom ceremony, the life of
Nancy Goodman Brinker serves truly to answer the question whether one
person can truly make a difference.
It is correct, as the gentleman from Illinois has noted, that this
began as a promise between sisters. As she was falling victim to breast
cancer, Susan G. Komen asked her beloved sister, Nancy, to promise to
do everything she could to ensure that other families battling breast
cancer had the help they needed to fight the deadly disease. From that
simple promise between sisters, and in the honor of her sister,
Ambassador Brinker has devoted her life to advancing breast cancer
awareness and research.
In 1982, 2 years following her sister's passing, Ambassador Brinker,
a breast cancer survivor herself, established Susan G. Komen for the
Cure, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting breast
cancer research, a program that has affected millions of families in
America. Notably, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which also serves as the
world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and
activists, has raised nearly $1.5 billion to support advancements in
breast cancer research, education, and health services since its
inception. From its advocacy at the local, State, and Federal levels in
support of enhanced breast cancer screening and treatment programs to
its coordination with local health groups around the world to assist
women in nearly 200 countries in overcoming social, cultural, and
economic barriers to breast health treatment, Susan G. Komen for the
Cure stands as a testament to the bravery of Susan G. Komen, as well as
the commitment and vision of Ambassador Brinker.
As noted by Ambassador Brinker, Susan G. Komen for the Cure faced an
immediate uphill battle in its mission to promote breast cancer
awareness and research. In 1982, the disease received scant media
attention and the fight against breast cancer was hampered by scarce
resources, an inadequate supply network, and limited treatment options.
However, under the dedicated and creative leadership of Ambassador
Brinker, the breast cancer movement has managed to break the silence
surrounding the disease and secure major advances with respect to
breast cancer research, funding, education, and treatment.
In 1982, Ambassador Brinker founded the Susan G. Komen Race for the
Cure, which is big in my district and is presently the world's largest
and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer.
In addition, Ambassador Brinker has also pioneered the concept of
cause-related marketing, through which her foundation has established a
variety of strong and enduring partnerships with businesses that share
her commitment to ending breast cancer. Annually, the foundation raises
over $30 million through its marketing partnerships.
Moreover, Ambassador Brinker and her foundation have played an
instrumental role in securing the passage of key legislation to promote
public investment in breast health and breast cancer care. Most
recently, the organization contributed to the passage of an amendment
authored by Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland to the Senate health
care reform bill to ensure that breast cancer screening is available
for women between the ages of 40 and 49. As noted by Ambassador
Brinker, she will continue her efforts until the amendment becomes law.
In addition to her work on behalf of Susan G. Komen for the Cure,
Ambassador Brinker's commitment to ending breast cancer can be
witnessed through her service as Goodwill Ambassador For Cancer Control
for the United Nation's World Health Organization. In this capacity,
Ambassador Brinker has sought to raise breast cancer awareness and
strengthen treatment programs in impoverished nations as well as
advocate in support of stronger global action for cancer prevention in
accordance with the global strategy for the prevention and control of
noncommunicable diseases that was endorsed by the World Health Assembly
in 2008.
Mr. Speaker, in light of Ambassador Brinker's tireless efforts on
behalf of ending breast cancer and her distinguished public service, it
is not surprising that she was named as one of our Nation's
Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients for 2009. Let us congratulate
Ambassador Brinker on her receipt of our Nation's highest civilian
honor and commemorate her life's worth through the passage of H. Res.
708.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 708.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCHOCK. I yield 2 minutes to my distinguished colleague and good
friend, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I thank my good friend, the gentleman from
Illinois, for his leadership on this crucial effort to eradicate breast
cancer in our lifetime, and I rise in support of his resolution to
congratulate Ambassador Nancy Goodman Brinker for receiving the
Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Since her sister's death 30 years ago, Nancy has been devoted to
finding a cure for breast cancer. As founder of the Susan G. Komen
Breast Cancer Foundation and the 5K Race for the Cure, Nancy has helped
to raise almost a billion dollars for this noble effort. In my
congressional district, the Miami-Fort Lauderdale Race for the Cure has
raised more than $4.5 million. Our yearly local events reach hundreds
of thousands of people as an educational outreach tool and as a
grassroots movement builder. The research grants from Nancy's
foundation have contributed to many of the new treatments that have
truly saved lives. Through efforts like hers, we have made important
strides in increasing breast cancer awareness throughout our Nation.
Today, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is recognized as
the leader in the fight against breast cancer. In solidarity with the
countless survivors, like my good friend and Florida colleague, Debbie
Wasserman Schultz, I thank Ambassador Brinker for all that she has done
and certainly all that she will continue to do in this noble fight
against breast cancer.
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCHOCK. I yield 2 minutes to my distinguished colleague and good
friend, the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).
Mrs. BLACKBURN. I do thank the gentleman from Illinois.
It is such an honor for me today to rise in strong support of the
resolution to congratulate Ambassador Nancy Brinker for receiving the
Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ambassador Brinker founded Susan G.
Komen for the Cure in 1982, and has since built it into the world's
leading breast cancer grassroots organization. The Susan G. Komen
Foundation awarded $780,000 in research grants in 2008 in my home
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State of Tennessee, and we are grateful for those grants.
Through her advocacy efforts, Ambassador Brinker is to be commended
for saving countless lives as a trailblazer fighting for the health of
women worldwide, empowering patients, and raising billions in funding
for continued breast cancer research. She has worked tirelessly,
building an impressive resume of accomplishments, most recently being
named the first ever World Health Organization's Goodwill Ambassador
for Cancer Control.
I commend Ambassador Brinker for standing with all women to raise
awareness on the issue of mammography rationing in the health care
reform bill and continuing to advocate for increased access to
appropriate therapies and screenings for all Americans. Her
contributions to society deserve much praise, and each points back to
her original goal: to ease suffering and raise awareness to eradicate
breast cancer for all, and to honor the memory of her sister. Today, we
honor her.
{time} 1100
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCHOCK. Mr. Speaker, with that, I urge all Members to support the
passage of House Resolution 708, honoring one of the finest Americans,
Nancy Goodman Brinker.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, in closing, again I urge my colleagues to
join Mr. Schock of Illinois in congratulating Ms. Nancy Goodman Brinker
on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom through the passage of
H. Res. 708.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 708, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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