[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 11, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3284-H3286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH WEEK
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 268) supporting the goals and
ideals of National Women's Health Week, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 268
Whereas women of all backgrounds should be encouraged to
greatly reduce their risk of common diseases through
preventative measures, such as engaging in regular physical
activity, eating a nutritious diet, and visiting a healthcare
provider to receive regular check-ups and preventative
screenings;
Whereas significant disparities exist in the prevalence of
disease among women of different backgrounds, including women
with disabilities, African-American women, Asian/Pacific
Islander women, Latinas, and American Indian/Alaskan Native
women;
Whereas healthy habits should begin at a young age;
Whereas preventative care saves Federal dollars designated
for health care;
Whereas it is imperative to educate women and girls about
key female health issues;
Whereas it is recognized that offices of women's health
within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Food
and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration,
the National Institutes of Health, and the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality are vital in providing
critical services that support women's health research,
education, and other necessary services that benefit women of
all ages, races, and ethnicities;
Whereas the annual National Women's Health Week begins on
Mother's Day and celebrates the efforts of national and
community organizations working with partners and volunteers
to improve awareness of key women's health issues; and
Whereas in 2010, the week of May 9 through May 15 is
designated National Women's Health Week: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Women's
Health Week; and
(2) requests that the President of the United States issue
a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States
and interested groups to observe National Women's Health Week
with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Towns) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days in which to revise and to extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. TOWNS. I now yield myself as much time as I might consume.
I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 268, recognizing National Women's
Health
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Week. This week marks the 11th annual Women's Health Week, a weeklong
observation of women's health issues. It is a great opportunity for us
to discuss and promote research on the benefits of healthy habits,
including regular exercise, a nutritious diet, and regular checkups and
screenings. I'm heartened that the Department of Health and Human
Services' Office on Women's Health takes time every year to coordinate
the efforts of national and community organizations to promote healthy
choices and educate all Americans on female health issues. I thank them
for all of their hard work.
As the resolution notes, it is imperative to educate women and girls
about issues that may impact their health, as they may face unique
health risks at any age. Further, the resolution notes that significant
disparities exist in the prevalence of disease among women of different
backgrounds, including women with disabilities, African American women,
Asian Pacific Islander women, Latinas, and American Indian and Alaskan
Native women. In order to empower all women to take the necessary
measures to be as healthy as possible, we must work to promote health
education, research, and healthy lifestyles.
On that note, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 268, supporting the goals and
ideals of National Women's Health Week. National Women's Health Week
begins on Mother's Day each year. During this week, individuals,
families, communities, businesses, government, and other groups work
together to encourage women and their families to increase their
awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise,
and medical checkups. Hopefully others will follow their lead, with
children and spouses learning the benefits and fun of regular exercise,
good nutrition, and other preventive measures which really do have
lifelong positive consequences. I urge my fellow Members to join me in
supporting H. Con. Res. 268.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TOWNS. H. Con. Res. 268 was introduced by my colleague, the
gentleman from New York, Representative Maurice Hinchey, on April 27,
2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, which reported it favorably by unanimous consent on May 6,
2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 50. I thank the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Hinchey) for introducing this measure, and I hope we
can all stand behind it.
I also would like to thank the gentleman from California, Congressman
Issa, and all the staff who worked to make this a reality. I encourage
my colleagues to vote for this measure.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in
strong support of H. Con. Res. 268 to support the goals and ideals of
National Women's Health Week.
As a non-practicing registered nurse, I know from firsthand
experience how important it is to lead a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining
a good diet, exercising, and making good life decisions are incredibly
important to the wellbeing of any person. This week, on National
Women's Health Week, we focus our attention on the importance of
women's health so that we can encourage women to lead better,
healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
Women play vital roles in the family unit as mothers, grandmothers,
sisters, and daughters. It is often the case that in offering care for
others, women themselves forget to address their own healthcare needs.
It is no surprise that when the health of a mother decreases, so too,
does the health of her family. As women take on larger roles in the
workplace and are forced to balance the needs of family and career,
they are even less likely to place an emphasis on their own needs and
health. For this reason, it is incredibly important that we emphasize
the importance of women's health during this week.
Women, too, have some very specific healthcare needs that are
important to highlight during National Women's Health Week. Breast
cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis are just a few of the major
diseases that can affect women, and it is important that they are
screened for and receive adequate treatment for these ailments.
Additionally, women are disproportionately faced with higher healthcare
costs and because of this they many times have reduced access to care
compared with men.
Mr. Speaker, National Women's Health Week seeks to address the health
needs of women so that all Americans can lead better lives. The role of
women in our society is remarkably important, and it is imperative that
women understand their own healthcare needs as well as have access to
affordable care. Because of this, I ask my fellow colleagues to join me
today in supporting this resolution for the betterment of women across
the country.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of National
Women's Health Week. It is during this week that the Office on Women's
Health, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, urges
women to focus on their health.
We need to tell all the women in our lives; our mothers, wives,
sisters, daughters, aunts and friends how important it is to take time
out for their health.
Last year I was honored to be part of a Women's Health Summit on
cardiovascular disease, the number one killer of women in the United
States. At the summit women heard from leading doctors and researchers
how there are simple steps you can take to prevent heart disease, from
exercise to diet--small changes can make a big difference.
Additionally, I must recognize that many of the advances in medicine
that have been made have come from women working together--as
physicians, lawyers, researchers, advocates and Members of Congress.
This collaboration has been a powerful catalyst for the advances we
have made in the research and treatment of breast, ovarian, and
cervical cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
So, today, Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage all of America's women to
take a moment to focus on promoting health and preventing disease and
illness by taking simple steps to improve their physical, mental,
social, and spiritual health.
As we celebrate National Women's Health Week and the achievements
made to improve the health and well being of women, I urge my
colleagues to take a moment to make a much stronger commitment to
promoting women's health in this country.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support
of H. Con. Res. 268, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of National
Women's Health Week.'' First and foremost I would like to thank my
distinguished colleague from New York, Representative Maurice Hinchey
for introducing this bill.
Mr. Speaker, it is vital we recognize that women need to take better
care of their health. Starting this week from May 9th to May 15th,
families, communities, businesses, government, health organizations and
other groups work together to educate women about steps they can take
to improve their physical and mental health and prevent disease.
It is crucial that women have knowledge about the health risks that
confront them and that greater action is taken to reduce those risks
through preventative measures such as a healthy lifestyle and regular
medical screenings. With just a small amount of preventative care
through exercise and doctor visits, women can drastically cut back on
serious health risks that threaten to cut their life span.
Mr. Speaker, I reiterate once again, that it is a very well known
fact that improving the health of all women will improve the health of
the whole community. It is a well known fact that improving health for
women improves health for everyone. Research indicates that when women
take care of themselves, the health of their families improves along
with theirs.
Women are known to be the caregivers of the family. Women are known
to sacrifice their well-being for the sake of their families. During
National Women's Health Week it is of great importance we encourage our
mothers, sisters, grandmothers, and aunts to go take time out for
themselves. It is essential that women educate themselves on different
steps to take on improving their lifestyle, health and lower the risks
of certain diseases. Some of the most common preventative measures that
can be taken are the following: getting at least 2 hours and 30 minutes
of moderate physical activity, 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous
physical activity, or a combination of both each week, eating a
nutritious diet, visiting a health care professional to receive regular
checkups and preventive screenings, paying attention to mental health,
including getting enough sleep and managing stress. In addition, it is
important that women start taking care of themselves at an early age.
If they start early, they are more likely to stick to these habits,
thus in turn, maintaining healthier families and communities.
In Houston and all across America, it is important that women do
everything they can do to lead healthier lives. In this spirit, I
encourage women to get the necessary check-ups and preventative
screenings from their health care providers so they can live long,
healthy and productive lives.
Once again it is important to remind our mother's, sisters,
grandmothers and aunts that
[[Page H3286]]
when they take care of themselves, they in turn are taking care of
their families and community.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 268.
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. TOWNS. Mr. 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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