[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 153 (Thursday, October 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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                            HON. KEVIN YODER

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 13, 2011

  Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize October 
as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While I'm sure I am not the only 
member to come before you and recognize the importance of breast cancer 
research, I feel it is necessary for me to discuss the benefits that 
come from continued funding for a disease that affects 300,000 women 
every year.
  Aside from recognizing the important work done by the many Breast 
Cancer Organizations around the country, I would like to take this 
opportunity to highlight the Breast Cancer Survivorship Center that is 
part of the University of Kansas Cancer Center. While the KU Cancer 
Center does important research into early detection and treatment of 
breast cancer, the Survivorship Center is an important facility for 
women who have been diagnosed and have gone through or are currently 
being treated for breast cancer. Specifically, this facility helps 
women cope with various treatments, assists them with complications, 
helps them to manage side effects. I applaud the KU Cancer Center for 
the tremendous progress they have made and the thousands of lives they 
have saved.
  One of the most reassuring aspects of discussing breast cancer is 
when we can talk about survivors. The continued decrease in the 
mortality rate of women diagnosed with breast cancer is due in large 
part to remaining focused on the need to find a cure. The progress that 
has been made in finding a cure for breast cancer has been made 
possible through very generous donations by the American public, but 
also through funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH).
  As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am pleased that 
Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers and Subcommittee Chairman 
Dennis Rehberg recognized the value of the work being performed by the 
NIH. I am particularly pleased that the House version of the FY 2012 
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations bill provides robust funding for NIH, and its efforts to 
fight cancer. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the 
Appropriations Committee as the House and Senate negotiate the FY 2012 
Appropriations bills.

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