[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 113 (Thursday, July 26, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5626-S5627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN
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NATIONAL REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP MONTH
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TEAM USA AND THE 2012 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration en bloc of the following
resolutions which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 529, S. Res.
530, and S. Res. 531.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolutions en bloc.
Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed
to, the preambles be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon
the table en bloc with no intervening action or debate, and that any
statements related to the resolutions be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolutions were agreed to.
The preambles were agreed to.
The resolutions, with their preambles, read as follows:
S. Res. 529
Whereas the incidence of prostate cancer in African-
American men is more than one and a half times higher than in
any other racial or ethnic group in the United States;
Whereas African-American men have the highest mortality
rate of any ethnic and racial group in the United States,
dying at a rate that is approximately two and a half times
higher than other ethnic and racial groups;
Whereas that rate of mortality represents the largest
disparity of mortality rates in any of the major cancers;
Whereas prostate cancer can be cured with early detection
and the proper treatment, regardless of the ethnic or racial
group of the cancer patient;
Whereas African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed
at an earlier age and at a later stage of cancer progression
than all other ethnic and racial groups, leading to lower
cure rates and lower chances of survival;
Whereas, for patients diagnosed early, studies show a 5-
year survival rate of nearly 100 percent, but the survival
rate drops significantly to 28 percent for patients diagnosed
in late stages; and
Whereas recent genomics research has increased the ability
to identify men at high risk for aggressive prostate cancer:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes that prostate cancer has created a health
crisis for African-American men;
(2) recognizes the importance of health coverage and access
to care, as well as promoting informed decisionmaking between
men and their doctors, taking into consideration the known
risks and potential benefits of screening and treatment
options for prostate cancer;
(3) urges Federal agencies to support--
(A) research to address and attempt to end the health
crisis created by prostate cancer;
(B) efforts relating to education, awareness, and early
detection at the grassroots level to end that health crisis;
and
(C) the Office of Minority Health of the Department of
Health and Human Services in focusing on improving health and
healthcare outcomes for African Americans at an elevated risk
of prostate cancer; and
(4) urges investment by Federal agencies in research
focusing on the improvement of early detection and treatment
of prostate cancer, such as the use of--
(A) biomarkers to accurately distinguish indolent forms of
prostate cancer from lethal forms; and
(B) advanced imaging tools to ensure the best level of
individualized patient care.
S. Res. 530
Whereas 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of the enactment of
the Act of August 16, 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (commonly
known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act''), which
established the national registered apprenticeship system;
Whereas the State of Wisconsin created the first State
registered apprenticeship system in 1911;
Whereas the Act of August 16, 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.)
(commonly known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act'')
established a comprehensive system of partnerships among
employers, labor organizations, educational institutions, and
Federal and State governments, which has shaped skill
training for succeeding generations of United States workers;
Whereas for 75 years, the national registered
apprenticeship system has provided state of the art training
using an model known as ``earn while you learn'' that offers
a pathway to the middle class and a sustainable career for
millions of workers in the United States;
Whereas the national registered apprenticeship system has
grown to include approximately 24,000 programs across the
United States, providing education and training for
apprentices in emerging and high-growth sectors, such as
information technology and health care, as well as in
traditional industries;
Whereas the national registered apprenticeship system
leverages approximately $1,000,000,000 in private investment,
reflecting the strong commitment of the sponsors of the
system, which include industry associations, individual
employers, and labor-management partnerships;
Whereas the national registered apprenticeship system is an
important post-secondary pathway for United States workers,
offering a combination of academic and technical instruction
with paid, on-the-job training, resulting in a nationally and
industry-recognized occupational credential that ensures
higher earnings for apprentices and a highly skilled
workforce for United States businesses;
Whereas the national registered apprenticeship system has
continually modernized and developed innovative training
approaches to meet the workforce needs of industry and
address the evolving challenges of staying competitive in the
global economy;
Whereas the national registered apprenticeship system of
the 21st century, as envisioned by the Advisory Committee on
Apprenticeship of the Secretary of Labor and administered as
a partnership between the Federal Government and State
apprenticeship programs, is positioned to produce the highly
skilled workers the United States economy needs now and in
the future; and
Whereas the celebration of National Registered
Apprenticeship Month--
(1) honors the industries that use the registered
apprenticeship model;
(2) encourages other industries that could benefit from the
registered apprenticeship model to train United States
workers using the model; and
(3) recognizes the role the national registered
apprenticeship system has played in preparing United States
workers for jobs with family-sustaining wages: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates August 2012, as ``National Registered
Apprenticeship Month'';
(2) celebrates the 101st anniversary of the enactment of
the first State registered apprenticeship law; and
(3) celebrates the 75th anniversary of the enactment of the
Act of August 16, 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (commonly known
as the ``National Apprenticeship Act'').
S. Res. 531
Whereas, for over 100 years, the Olympic Movement has built
a more peaceful and better world by educating young people
through
[[Page S5627]]
amateur athletics, bringing together athletes from many
countries in friendly competition, and forging new
relationships bound by friendship, solidarity, and fair play;
Whereas the 2012 Olympic Games will take place in London,
England from July 27, 2012 to August 12, 2012, and the 2012
Paralympic Games will take place from August 29, 2012 to
September 9, 2012;
Whereas, at the 2012 Olympic Games, over 200 nations will
compete in over 300 events, and Team USA will compete in 246
events;
Whereas, at the 2012 Olympic Games, over 200 nations will
compete in 39 disciplines, and Team USA will compete in 38 of
those disciplines;
Whereas 529 Olympians and over 245 Paralympians will
compete on behalf of Team USA in London, England;
Whereas Team USA has won 934 gold medals, 730 silver
medals, and 643 bronze medals, totaling 2,307 medals over the
past 25 Olympic Games;
Whereas the people of the United States stand united in
respect and admiration for the members of the United States
Olympic and Paralympic teams, and the athletic
accomplishments, sportsmanship, and dedication to excellence
of the teams;
Whereas the many accomplishments of the United States
Olympic and Paralympic teams would not have been possible
without the hard work and dedication of many others,
including the United States Olympic Committee and the many
administrators, coaches, and family members who provided
critical support to the athletes;
Whereas the Nation takes great pride in the qualities of
commitment to excellence, grace under pressure, and good will
toward other competitors exhibited by the athletes of Team
USA; and
Whereas the Olympic Movement celebrates competition, fair
play, and the pursuit of dreams: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) applauds all of the athletes and coaches of Team USA
and their families who support them;
(2) supports the athletes of Team USA in their endeavors at
the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games held in London,
England;
(3) thanks all of the members of the United States Olympics
Committee for their unwavering support of the athletes of
Team USA; and
(4) supports the goals and ideals of the Olympic Games.
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