[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 176 (Thursday, November 17, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H7719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Meehan) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 733, the 
Pancreatic Cancer Research Education Act. Oftentimes, we talk about 
numbers, Mr. Speaker, but often there's the occasion to actually talk 
to the people who are behind the bills. One of the most moving 
experiences I have had is to have had a visit to my office by a young 
woman by the name of Sienna Gonzalez, who visited with her mother and 
her family. You see, Sienna's mother is a victim of pancreatic cancer; 
and Sienna is on a mission, along with many of her friends, to help 
people fight to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.
  She took a lead by urging so many of her friends and colleagues in 
her classroom, and I hold in my hand just one of the volumes of 
hundreds upon hundreds of letters that came and were so moving.
  The facts speak for themselves: 43,000 Americans will be diagnosed 
with pancreatic cancer; 36,000 will die just this year; and the life 
expectancy after announcement of that is about 3 to 6 months. I think 
the words are better said, however, by some of the students.
  People are losing a lot of friends and family, writes Aly, because of 
this horrible, horrifying disease. We are trying to help. Did you know 
that this disease is one of the few cancers for which survival has not 
improved substantially? In over 40 years, survival rates have not 
changed. The average life span after diagnosis is 3 to 6 months. Please 
use more of your research money to help these people if you can. Thank 
you.
  That's just one of the hundreds of letters.
  I want to express my deep appreciation of Dr. Timothy Quinn, the 
superintendent of the Methacton School District; Mrs. Melissa Gora, the 
principal; but, mostly, the hundreds and hundreds of students who have 
taken the time to ensure that their voices are heard. As they said: 
pancreatic cancer: know it, fight it, end it.
  Thank you for your role in making sure that my colleagues understand 
the importance of this great challenge and the opportunity that we have 
to fight for those with pancreatic cancer.

                              {time}  1020


       First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry's 237th Anniversary

  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the First Troop Philadelphia 
City Cavalry on the occasion of their 237th anniversary. This volunteer 
cavalry troop was the first of its kind organized in the defense of our 
country during the American Revolution. Through those hard-fought years 
is where the original members forged concepts of service and a body of 
tradition which is kept alive today by its current members.
  The First Troop Cavalry is a private military organization whose 
membership is comprised of members of the Pennsylvania Army National 
Guard who serve with A Troop 1st Squadron, 104th Cavalry in the 28th 
Infantry Division. Many of their members have served overseas, 
including Afghanistan and Iraq. Their service to our country is 
immeasurable, and we should all be extremely thankful.

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