[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 26, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H344-H345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CERVICAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1011) recognizing the importance of cervical 
health and of detecting cervical cancer during its earliest stages and 
supporting the goals and ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1011

       Whereas approximately 11,270 women were diagnosed with, and 
     approximately 4,070 women died from cervical cancer in the 
     United States in 2009;
       Whereas cervical cancer occurs most often in Hispanic 
     women, at a rate that is more than twice what is seen in non-
     Hispanic White women;
       Whereas African-American women develop cervical cancer 
     about 50 percent more often than non-Hispanic White women;
       Whereas half of the women diagnosed with the disease are 
     between 35 and 55 years of age, and approximately 20 percent 
     of diagnoses are made in women older than 65;
       Whereas cervical cancer is usually a slow-growing cancer 
     that may not have symptoms, and is primarily caused by the 
     human papillomavirus (HPV), but can be detected by 
     Papanicolaou tests (Pap tests) or other early detection 
     tests;
       Whereas the earlier cervical cancer is detected the better 
     chance a woman has of surviving cervical cancer;
       Whereas cervical cancer patients and survivors have shown 
     tremendous courage and determination in the face of 
     adversity: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Cervical Health 
     Awareness Month;
       (2) recognizes the importance of good cervical health and 
     of detecting cervical cancer during its earliest stages;
       (3) urges healthcare advocates to continue to raise public 
     awareness about cervical cancer and the importance of early 
     detection;
       (4) urges the people of the United States to learn about 
     cervical cancer and its causes, most notably human 
     papillomavirus (HPV), and the importance of early detection; 
     and
       (5) recognizes the patients and survivors of cervical 
     cancer and their families for their tremendous courage and 
     determination.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rules, the gentleman from 
New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield to myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 1011, supporting the goals and ideals of 
Cervical Health Awareness Month.
  According to the American Cancer Society, over 11,000 American women 
will receive the news that they have cervical cancer this year, and 
over 4,000 women will die due to this disease.
  The earlier cervical cancer is detected, the better chance a woman 
has of surviving. Cellular changes that precede cervical cancer can be 
detected by Pap tests or other early detection methods. With early 
detection, women can get treatment that prevents the disease from 
progressing to a later stage.
  As a result of the increase in prevention, we are beginning to see a 
decrease in the number of women who get and die from cervical cancer. 
But we still have more work to do, especially in the minority 
populations. African American women and Hispanic women, for example, 
are 50 percent more likely to develop cervical cancer than non-Hispanic 
white women and are also more likely to die from the disease.
  And that is why this resolution, Madam Speaker, before us today is so 
important. We must increase awareness of cervical cancer and promote 
testing to ensure early detection so that we can further reduce the 
numbers of women who succumb to cervical cancer every year.
  The resolution before us today supports the goals and ideals of 
Cervical Health Awareness Month. It acknowledges the importance of 
early detection as a crucial tool in treating and surviving the 
disease, and supports heightened awareness about prevention of cervical 
cancer.
  I want to thank my colleague, the sponsor of the legislation, 
Representative Debbie Halvorson from Illinois, for her work in raising 
this important issue. I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution, 
Madam Speaker.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I wish to thank the chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Health of the Energy and Commerce Committee for 
bringing this important piece of legislation to the floor. And I am a 
cosponsor of H. Res. 1011, sponsored by Representative Deborah 
Halvorson from the State of Illinois.
  This month, January, is national Cervical Health Awareness Month, and 
it is important, it is fitting that we highlight the educational 
efforts that have been made to increase early detection of cervical 
cancer. Almost half of the women that are diagnosed with this life-
threatening disease are between the ages of 35 and 55. They actually 
fall into two populations. In one population, the disease is relatively 
slow to evolve. Obviously, in this group, the detection of precancerous 
and pre-invasive changes allows for treatment of this disease to be 
relatively straightforward. But there is a second population, 
fortunately a much smaller population, where the disease behaves with 
sometimes frightening speed. The disease can be so aggressive as to go 
from a normal test to an actual invasive cancer within a year's time, 
and it is this group of individuals where these tests may, in fact, be 
life-saving.
  That is why it is so important that we highlight the awareness of 
cervical health. The month of January is more than half over. But the 
need for cervical cancer awareness and education should continue 
throughout the entire year.
  Awareness is the leading cause in the annual decline in deaths from 
cervical disease. The survival rate of individuals who have cervical 
cancer is 96 to 99 percent when detected in the early stages versus 
only a 15 to 20 percent survival rate when cervical cancer is diagnosed 
after it has spread beyond the confines of the cervix. It is because of 
successful programs that encourage early diagnosis, such as national 
Cervical Health Awareness Month, that Americans can lead full and 
active lives.
  By supporting the observance of national Cervical Health Awareness 
Month, we have the opportunity to encourage women to educate themselves 
about this disease and about the screening methods that are available 
to them.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to

[[Page H345]]

the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Halvorson), who is the sponsor of 
the legislation.
  Mrs. HALVORSON. I want to thank Congressman Pallone. I would also 
like to thank my colleagues for recognizing me on behalf of this very 
important and timely resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1011, commemorating 
the goals and ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month, and I urge my 
colleagues to support its passage. January has long been recognized as 
Cervical Health Awareness Month, particularly throughout the public 
health, women's health, and cervical health advocacy communities.
  Today we commemorate the hard work and sacrifice that has been made 
by these patients, their families, and those who have been confronted 
by this disease. We also honor the health care providers and advocates 
that tirelessly work to treat this disease and work to educate the 
general public on its causes and treatments.
  Madam Speaker, cervical cancer is usually a very slow-growing cancer 
that may not present any symptoms. And it is primarily caused by the 
human papillomavirus, HPV, but can be detected by early detection 
tests. It is estimated that 4,000 women in the United States die of 
cervical cancer every year, and approximately 11,000 new cases will be 
detected just this year. Half of those women diagnosed with the disease 
are, as has been said, between 35 and 55 years of age. And 
approximately 20 percent of all those diagnoses are made in women who 
are older than 55 years of age. In the vast majority of cases, these 
deaths could be prevented with early detection, and by being educated 
and aware of causes, screenings, and medical treatments.
  According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, cervical 
cancer is the easiest female cancer to prevent, and yet it was the 
number one cause of death from cancer in women. But for the first time 
in history, we have the potential for significantly reducing, if not 
eliminating, the number of victims of this cancer through advancements 
in treatments and procedures that aid in prevention.
  So in keeping with the goals and the ideals of Cervical Health 
Awareness Month, I encourage the people of the United States to learn 
about cervical cancer, its causes and its treatments, and I encourage 
health care advocates to continue to raise public awareness about 
cervical cancer and the importance of early detection, because the 
earlier cervical cancer is detected, the better the chance a woman has 
in surviving cervical cancer.
  Once again, I would like to thank you all for allowing H. Res. 1011 
to come to the floor today, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor 
of its passage.
  Mr. BURGESS. As a fellow in the American College of Obstetricians and 
Gynecologists before I came to Congress, I recognize the importance of 
Cervical Health Awareness Month. And yes, while we are focusing on 
testing today, the gentlelady is quite correct in that newer tests, 
newer methods, newer abilities to prevent this disease from happening 
are occurring even as we speak.
  Certainly to the health care community out there that has done such a 
great job at providing information to their patients, providing early 
detection and treatment to their patients, we owe a debt of gratitude. 
The work is not yet done, and I again encourage passage of this 
legislation.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Res. 1011, to recognize the importance of cervical health 
and of detecting cervical cancer during its earliest stages and 
supporting the goals and ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month, 
introduced by my distinguish colleague Representative Deborah L. 
Halvorson, from Illinois. This legislation will solidify that we, the 
United States Congress: (1) support all the initiatives of Cervical 
Health Awareness Month; (2) Recognize the importance of earlier 
detection; and (3) advocate and encourage education on the subject.
  Madam Speaker, the origin of Cervical Health Awareness Month was 
established to enhance awareness of the prevention of cervical cancer, 
particularly the importance of screening for this malignancy. It is my 
hope that Congress continues to support these current and future 
efforts to make our constituents more knowledgeable.
  According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 
in 2009, an estimated 11,270 new cases of cervical cancer were 
diagnosed in the U.S., and the disease caused over 4,000 deaths. The 
Pap test is a highly effective tool in detecting cervical cancer at its 
earliest and most treatable stages. In fact, regular cervical screening 
tests can actually find precancerous changes before they become 
dangerous and turn into cancer.
  I support any enterprise which cultivates organized successful health 
promotion events and campaigns. Getting new ideas, information and 
resources on Cervical Cancer and the prevention of it, is something 
that this Congress must emphasize.
  By passing this resolution, we are making a monumental statement that 
we care. We care about the patients and survivors of this cancer; we 
care about the families of the ones who were taken by this disease; and 
most of all we care about the life and life more abundantly. By passing 
this legislation, we are also reaffirming that Congress is not an 
ambiguous body of unsympathetic individuals with no grasp of the world 
outside these walls. We have families; we have mothers, daughters and 
sisters, that can be affected by this cancer and we will not stand for 
lives perishing because of a lack of knowledge and available prevention 
and treatment!
  Mr. BURGESS. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1011.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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