[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 154 (Tuesday, November 30, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7716-H7720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SUPPORTING AMERICAN DIABETES MONTH

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1690) supporting the

[[Page H7717]]

observance of American Diabetes Month, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1690

       Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention (CDC), there are nearly 24,000,000 Americans with 
     diabetes and 57,000,000 with prediabetes;
       Whereas diabetes is a serious chronic condition that 
     affects people of every age, race and ethnicity, and income 
     level;
       Whereas the CDC reports that Hispanic-, African-, Asian-, 
     and Native Americans are disproportionately affected by 
     diabetes and suffer at rates higher than the general 
     population;
       Whereas, according to the CDC, every minute 3 people are 
     diagnosed with diabetes, approximately 4,384 people each day;
       Whereas, according to the CDC, approximately 1,600,000 new 
     cases of diabetes were diagnosed last year in people 20 years 
     or older;
       Whereas a joint CDC and National Institutes of Health study 
     found that 15,000 youth in the United States are diagnosed 
     with type 1 diabetes annually and about 3,700 youth are 
     diagnosed with type 2 diabetes annually;
       Whereas, according to the CDC, between 1980 and 2007, 
     diabetes prevalence in the United States increased by more 
     than 300 percent;
       Whereas the CDC reports that over 24 percent of diabetes is 
     undiagnosed, down from 30 percent in 2005;
       Whereas, according to the CDC National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 
     over 10 percent of American adults and nearly a quarter (23.1 
     percent) of Americans age 60 and older have diabetes;
       Whereas, according to the CDC, one in three Americans born 
     in the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime; 
     this statistic grows to nearly one in two for minority 
     populations;
       Whereas, according to the American Diabetes Association, in 
     2007, the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United 
     States was $174,000,000,000, and one in ten dollars spent on 
     health care is attributed to diabetes and its complications;
       Whereas, according to a Mathematica Policy study, total 
     expenditures for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes 
     comprise 32.7 percent of the Medicare budget;
       Whereas, according to the CDC, every day 230 people with 
     diabetes undergo an amputation, 120 people enter end-stage 
     kidney disease programs, and 55 people go blind from 
     diabetes;
       Whereas, according to the CDC, diabetes was the seventh 
     leading cause of death in 2007, and contributed to the deaths 
     of over 230,000 Americans in 2005;
       Whereas there is not yet a cure for diabetes;
       Whereas there are proven means to reduce the incidence of 
     or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes;
       Whereas people with diabetes live healthy, productive lives 
     with the proper management and treatment; and
       Whereas November is widely recognized as American Diabetes 
     Month: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of American Diabetes 
     Month, including encouraging Americans to fight diabetes 
     through raising public awareness about stopping diabetes and 
     increasing education about the disease;
       (2) recognizes the importance of early detection of 
     diabetes, awareness of the symptoms of diabetes, and 
     awareness of the risk factors for diabetes, which include 
     being over the age of 45, being a member of a specific racial 
     and ethnic background, being overweight, having a low 
     physical activity level, having high blood pressure, and 
     having a family history of diabetes or a history of diabetes 
     during pregnancy; and
       (3) supports decreasing the prevalence of type 1, type 2, 
     and gestational diabetes in the United States through 
     increased research, treatment, and prevention.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Owens). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Nebraska 
(Mr. Terry) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. 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. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1690. Earlier this 
year, the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing on our 
collective battle against diabetes, the progress we have made so far 
and the challenges that remain.
  Over 30 years ago, Congress passed the National Diabetes Research and 
Education Act, the first significant legislation directed at 
coordinating and expanding the government's research and prevention 
efforts related to diabetes. While we have made tremendous progress in 
understanding and treating diabetes, it remains a significant public 
health epidemic.
  It's staggering to realize that over 23 million Americans have some 
form of diabetes today and the number is growing. Even more troubling 
is that 57 million Americans are at serious risk for developing type 2 
diabetes, including women with gestational diabetes.
  Until recently, kids were rarely diagnosed with anything but type 1 
diabetes. But the increasing rate of childhood obesity is changing the 
face of diabetes, and certainly not for the better. Furthermore, 
diabetes is the leading cause of heart disease, stroke, blindness, and 
kidney failure. As is often the case, diabetes disproportionately 
affects racial and ethnic minorities. American Indians have the highest 
prevalence of diabetes nationwide, and Hispanics and African Americans 
are close behind.
  Moreover, there is clear economic cost. It has been estimated that 
over $220 billion in medical expenses in 2007 can be attributed to 
diabetes. There are serious problems which need aggressive and 
innovative action. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and 
Kidney Diseases located at NIH and the Centers for Disease Control are 
both doing landmark research and surveillance work related to diabetes 
and have translated this into more effective prevention and treatment 
strategies, including the development of key therapies and 
technologies.
  I want to commend the sponsor of this legislation, the gentlewoman 
from Colorado (Ms. DeGette) not only for the work on this bill but for 
all the work on the Energy and Commerce Committee and also as the 
cochair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus. I know I'm a member of 
it. It has well over 200 members, and it does a lot to raise awareness 
and increase education about the disease.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. TERRY. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Diabetes Caucus and a former vice 
chair and member of a regional board that included Nebraska for the 
American Diabetes Association before I came to the United States 
Congress, I rise in support of House Resolution 1690 supporting the 
observance of American Diabetes Month.
  Diabetes touches nearly every life in this country. There are an 
estimated 24 million Americans today afflicted with diabetes, and that 
number is projected to double in the next 25 years. Diabetes is a group 
of diseases characterized by high blood glucose. It results when the 
body does not produce sufficient insulin or is unable to process 
insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugars, starches, and 
other food into needed energy for daily life.
  Type 1 diabetes results from the body's failure to produce insulin, 
which allows glucose to enter and fuel the cells of the body. The most 
common form of type 1 diabetes is immune mediated diabetes, in which 
the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing 
cells of the pancreas.
  The common name for type 1 diabetes is juvenile diabetes. Even though 
juvenile diabetes is typically diagnosed during childhood or 
adolescence, it is a disease individuals must manage their entire 
lives. Type 2 diabetes, sometimes known as adult onset diabetes, 
results from the body's inability to make enough or properly use 
insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and its 
prevalence is rising every year. Approximately 57 million Americans are 
thought to have pre-type 2 diabetes. The complications from both forms 
of diabetes can be devastating and life altering, ranging from heart 
disease, stroke, and blindness to kidney disease.
  In the case of type 2 diabetes, people can take steps to avoid the 
onset of the disease and mitigate its effects. Americans must 
understand that their health and the health of their families are in 
their hands. Balanced diets and increased physical activity can prevent

[[Page H7718]]

the disease and its complications. Those with histories of diabetes in 
their families must be especially vigilant.

                              {time}  1810

  I would like to thank the author of this resolution, the gentlewoman 
from Denver, the Rocky Mountain State, Ms. DeGette, for her efforts to 
improve awareness of this disease and supporting all of the education 
efforts. She is very vigilant on this issue, as I know because we are 
on the Energy and Commerce Committee together. The issue and why it is 
so necessary to educate is to highlight the importance of early 
detection. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to now yield such time as she 
may consume to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette), who is the 
author of the resolution and also the cochair of the Diabetes Caucus.
  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Pallone, the chairman 
of my subcommittee, who does such wonderful work on these diabetes 
issues, and also the gentleman from Nebraska. We have served for many, 
many years together on the committee.
  I am very pleased we are able to bring this resolution to the floor 
while it is still, in fact, Diabetes Awareness Month, November, because 
diabetes is one of the top public health threats in our country today.
  About 70,000 people are thought to have died from underlying causes 
of diabetes on an annual basis, with tens of thousands more deaths 
related to the disease. The CDC estimates that right now about 81 
million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes, and we know many more 
will get it. With better research, we can determine how people lose 
their lives to this disease, and we can both, we hope, find a cure for 
the disease and also mitigate the losses.
  As well as a terrible public health threat in this country, diabetes 
is also an important economic issue, which is why the Diabetes Caucus 
worked so hard to raise awareness in this body. Diabetes will cost this 
Nation almost $3.4 trillion through 2020, according to a recent study 
released by the United Health Group. One in every $10 in health care in 
this country is attributed to diabetes and its complications, and 
diabetes takes up more than 30 percent of our Medicare dollars.
  What is more disturbing, Mr. Speaker, is that type 2 diabetes is 
increasing to epidemic levels, and as previous speakers have mentioned, 
threatens to take up an even bigger part of our budget in years to come 
and will affect millions more Americans.
  Families, like my family, see diabetes up close every day. We have 
been touched just in my family by type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and 
gestational diabetes. This is not uncommon in America, as more and more 
families have experience with type 2 diabetes. Even though diabetes is 
increasing so dramatically, though, because of the research that we 
have done at the National Institutes of Health, at the CDC, and in the 
States, the personal toll of diabetes is becoming more manageable as we 
discover ways both to prevent type 2 diabetes and to treat and even 
find cures for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Advancements in lifestyle 
interventions, screening, and testing can save money and save even more 
lives.
  This year marked the 60th anniversary of the National Institute of 
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, which is the leading 
research organization at the NIH dedicated to tackling this devastating 
disease. And so six decades later, we continue to find different ways 
to approach this disease and help the millions of families that are 
affected by it.
  So this year, as we support the goals of National Diabetes Month, 
let's also pass a bill separate from this bill that many of us have 
cosponsored to fund a special diabetes program. As with all things, 
this research must be paid for; but the cost of inaction, both 
physically and economically, is too high.
  Diabetes issues have consistently been addressed by this body with 
interest and passion on both sides of the aisle, and we expect in the 
112th Congress that this will continue. The Diabetes Caucus, which 
several have mentioned, of which I am the cochair, is, in fact, the 
largest caucus in Congress, with close to 250 members.
  I want to take a moment just now because two of our great leaders in 
this body on this issue are going to be leaving us at the end of this 
session. Mike Castle, who has been an extraordinary cochair of the 
Diabetes Caucus, is leaving, as well as Zack Space, a beloved member of 
our committee, who is the vice chairman of the Diabetes Caucus. I 
invite all Members to join this caucus. And also, if anyone is 
interested in being a cochair, let me know, because it is important 
work that we do.
  In the spirit of the bipartisan commitment that all of us have made, 
I think we need to come together and not just talk about how important 
research is but actually commit ourselves in the next session of 
Congress to working together on legislation. We can work together not 
just on recognizing Diabetes Month, but also work together on the 
Special Diabetes Program, which will help to save countless American 
lives and to not leave this critical initiative on the to-do list again 
another year.
  Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, the gentlelady from Colorado mentioned the 
gentleman from Delaware who wanted to be here and speak on this 
resolution, her cochair, Mike Castle, but he was called back to his 
home since we don't have any more votes this evening.
  At this time, I yield 2 minutes to the new gentleman to the House of 
Representatives from the State of New York (Mr. Reed).
  Mr. REED. I thank my colleague from Nebraska, and I thank you, Mr. 
Speaker, for the opportunity to stand tonight and rise in support of H. 
Res. 1690. I appreciate the opportunity to speak today in regard to 
American Diabetes Month.
  To me, it has been an honor and a privilege to be involved with many 
diabetes advocacy groups over the years, particularly the Juvenile 
Diabetes Research Foundation.
  This issue is a personal issue with my family. My son, Will, who is 
10 years old, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 4. I 
personally will never forget the day, being rushed to the emergency 
room, as I had to hold him down and look him in the eye, with tears in 
his eyes, as he screamed in terror as to why, Daddy, are you holding me 
and letting these doctors hurt me? And we were doing it for his best 
interest because he had to be administered insulin to take care of his 
diabetic situation. My wife and I have been living with this disease 
for well over 6 years. I watch my wife every night get up at 2, 3, 4 in 
the morning, testing his blood glucose levels to make sure that he is 
properly monitored and that his diabetes is kept in check.
  It is important to me today to stand up and recognize that there is 
no cure at this point in time for juvenile diabetes or diabetes itself. 
I hope in the near future and as a Member of this Chamber that that 
cure will be found. But in the meantime, I join my colleagues in 
expressing my concern for the 24 million children and adults in the 
United States who are living with this disease, and the estimated 57 
million Americans that are at risk.
  Today, we must become aware of this disease and its symptoms to make 
sure that everyone who suffers these symptoms of frequent urination, 
unusual thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, extreme fatigue 
and irritability check with their medical providers and make sure that 
they are checked for diabetes, because it has life-threatening impacts 
such as blindness, amputation, and kidney failure.
  I am here today to stand in support of this measure, and I will do 
whatever is in my power to raise awareness for diabetes and finding its 
cure as my tenure here in this House so allows.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Engel), who is the sponsor of the Gestational Diabetes Act, 
H.R. 5354, which passed the House earlier this year.
  Mr. ENGEL. I thank my good friend from New Jersey, the chairman of 
our subcommittee, who does an excellent job, for yielding to me, and I 
rise today in support of H. Res. 1690, a resolution supporting the 
observance of American Diabetes Month. As a member of the Congressional 
Diabetes Caucus and a cosponsor of this resolution, I urge my 
colleagues to vote in favor of H. Res. 1690.

[[Page H7719]]

  My colleagues may be aware that one in every 10 Americans suffers 
from diabetes. This is nearly 24 million people. Additionally, 
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 
57 million Americans with prediabetes.

                              {time}  1820

  Even more troubling is that these staggering numbers will continue to 
grow if we sit idle and do nothing. We must continue to raise awareness 
and find new treatments and preventative measures.
  In October, the CDC issued a report which states, if current trends 
continue, as many as one in three American adults could have diabetes 
by the year 2050. The report also states that the $174 billion 
currently spent on diabetes will at least double by 2050. These are 
costs that we cannot afford both financially and physically, and the 
prospect of these statistics jumping from 1 in 10 to 1 in 3 is 
frightening, but the good news is that it is also preventable.
  That's why, as the chairman mentioned, I introduced the Gestational 
Diabetes Act, or GeDi. The GeDi Act focuses research resources on 
reducing the incidence of gestational diabetes, which is a condition 
that can result in a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes during 
pregnancy for both the mother and child.
  The GeDi Act passed the House of Representatives in September. I call 
upon our colleagues in the other body to pass my legislation in the 
111th Congress so we can help turn the tide away from these dire 
predictions.
  While we cannot fight family history, genetic risk factors, or the 
aging process, we can fight the causes of new cases of diabetes. We in 
the House of Representatives have the ability and responsibility to 
raise public awareness about the implications of diabetes and how to 
prevent it. That is why I stand in strong support of H. Res. 1690.
  Mr. TERRY. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to a member of the 
Energy and Commerce Committee, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Space).
  Mr. SPACE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Ms. DeGette, for 
your leadership on this issue.
  Mr. Speaker, I sympathize with the new Member from New York. He and 
Ms. DeGette and I have something in common. We all have children who 
suffer from type 1 diabetes. Although it is a family tragedy when it 
happens--and we all have those stark memories of being told that your 
child is going to be for the rest of his or her life dependent upon 
insulin--and although it is life changing, it transcends. The issue of 
diabetes transcends the personal tragedy that it inflicts on millions 
of families, and we have heard the numbers by some of my colleagues 
today.
  The ADA, the American Diabetes Association, estimates now that north 
of $200 billion a year is spent on diabetes in this country. That's 
``billion'' with a ``B.'' Those are warlike numbers. The real tragedy 
is we could avoid that. If we had any kind of foresight envisioned as a 
Nation, we would invest in a cure. For a fraction of what we spend in 
this country on diabetes every year, we could cure the disease. It's 
within reach. This isn't cancer or some complicated disease of the 
brain. This is an autoimmune disorder that affects the pancreas. We 
already have the technology for the artificial pancreas. With a very 
small fraction of what we spend on diabetes every year, we could give 
every type 1 diabetic in America a closed-loop system--an insulin pump 
and a glucose monitor--that, through technology, works like a pancreas. 
We could save, not billions, but trillions of dollars over the next 30 
to 40 years.
  As parents of diabetics, we know what our children face. By the time 
my son is my age, for example, he will be facing the prospect of 
blindness, kidney disease, and amputation, and our government is going 
to pay for it.
  There is an alternative, and I urge this body in the 112th Congress 
to strongly consider investing here. For every dollar you put in, you 
will receive hundreds back. You will save lives, and you will advance 
human life in ways that are difficult to even conceive of right now.
  So, again, I want to thank my colleague from Colorado (Ms. DeGette) 
for her tireless work, and I want to thank my chairman, Mr. Pallone, 
for this time.
  Mr. TERRY. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Scott).
  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Thank you very much.
  Ladies and gentlemen of the House, with nearly 23 million children 
and adults in the United States living with this disease, it is, 
indeed, time to reassess our own fitness and nutrition choices, to 
educate ourselves on the risk factors, and to then encourage everyone, 
especially our loved ones, to get tested.
  In my home State of Georgia, approximately 700,000 children and 
adults, or 7.8 percent of Georgia's entire population, have been 
diagnosed with diabetes. Raising awareness about the devastating 
effects that diabetes can have on people and their families must not go 
overlooked.
  Many people do not realize that diabetes is the leading cause of 
blindness among adults between the ages of 20 and 74 years old. It also 
contributes to serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, 
and kidney failure. Nationwide, 23.6 million people, or 7.8 percent of 
the Nation's entire population, have diabetes. Further, 17.9 million 
people have been diagnosed, 5.7 million are undiagnosed, at least 57 
million people are prediabetic in this country, and 220 million people 
have diabetes worldwide. These are startling statistics, and the 
numbers continue to rise. Sadly, thousands more are at an increased 
risk of getting diabetes because of advancing age, obesity, sedentary 
lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits, and insufficient physical 
activity.
  Diabetes not only affects the health of our Nation but our economic 
well-being as well. In my State of Georgia, the cost of diabetes due to 
medical care, lost productivity, and premature death is over $5.1 
billion per year, with $356 million lost in my own congressional 
district alone.
  Early testing is crucial to saving lives and even to preventing the 
onset of the disease in the first place. When diabetes is diagnosed in 
later stages, the treatments are more extreme, more difficult, and 
hospital visits are more frequent. Catching the disease in its early 
stages helps patients mitigate the harmful effects early.
  As a Member of Congress, I will do everything in my power, along with 
all of my colleagues, to ensure that Americans are empowered to take 
control of their health and to get tested.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. PALLONE. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.
  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. I also want to continue to work with my 
colleagues in Congress to address juvenile diabetes because it can be 
prevented at an early stage with just testing, care, and increased 
funding for additional research as the number of cases continues to 
steadily increase.
  Again, I am honored to observe November as American Diabetes Month, 
and I am hopeful with an increased awareness of this devastating 
disease that we can save more people from being diagnosed with 
diabetes. We can lick this. There is a cure. All we have to do is put 
it as the priority it needs to be, and we will save lives, millions of 
lives.
  I certainly appreciate and commend Mr. Pallone and the gentlelady 
from Colorado (Ms. DeGette) for authoring this important resolution.
  Mr. TERRY. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the legislation, 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. 1690, as amended.
  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. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  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.

[[Page H7720]]

  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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