[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

[[Page H201]]

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

[[Page H202]]

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.

                          ____________________