[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 116 (Wednesday, August 1, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5898-S5900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED TODAY
Mr. REID. 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. 536, S. Res.
537, S. Res. 538, S. Res. 539, and S. Res. 540.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The
Senate will proceed to consider the resolutions en bloc.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent 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
any statements related to these matters be printed in the Record as if
read.
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:
[[Page S5899]]
S. Res. 536
(Designating September 9, 2012, as ``National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorders Awareness Day'')
Whereas the term ``fetal alcohol spectrum disorders''
includes a broader range of conditions than the term ``fetal
alcohol syndrome'' and has replaced the term ``fetal alcohol
syndrome'' as the umbrella term describing the range of
effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed
alcohol during her pregnancy;
Whereas fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are the leading
cause of cognitive disability in Western civilization,
including the United States, and are 100 percent preventable;
Whereas fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a major cause
of numerous social disorders, including learning
disabilities, school failure, juvenile delinquency,
homelessness, unemployment, mental illness, and crime;
Whereas the incidence rate of fetal alcohol syndrome is
estimated at 1 out of every 500 live births and the incidence
rate of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is estimated at 1
out of every 100 live births;
Whereas, in February 1999, a small group of parents with
children who suffer from fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
united to promote awareness of the devastating consequences
of alcohol consumption during pregnancy by establishing
International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day;
Whereas September 9, 1999, became the first International
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day;
Whereas Bonnie Buxton of Toronto, Canada, the co-founder of
the first International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day,
asked ``What if . . . a world full of FAS/E [Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome/Effect] parents all got together on the ninth hour
of the ninth day of the ninth month of the year and asked the
world to remember that, during the 9 months of pregnancy, a
woman should not consume alcohol . . . would the rest of the
world listen?''; and
Whereas, on the ninth day of the ninth month of each year
since 1999, communities around the world have observed
International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates September 9, 2012, as ``National Fetal
Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day''; and
(2) calls on the people of the United States to observe
National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day
with--
(A) appropriate ceremonies--
(i) to promote awareness of the effects of prenatal
exposure to alcohol;
(ii) to increase compassion for individuals affected by
prenatal exposure to alcohol;
(iii) to minimize the effects of prenatal exposure to
alcohol; and
(iv) to ensure healthier communities across the United
States; and
(B) a moment of reflection during the ninth hour of
September 9, 2012, to remember that a woman should not
consume alcohol during the 9 months of her pregnancy.
S. Res. 537
(Supporting the goals and ideals of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Month)
Whereas ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all gynecologic
cancers;
Whereas ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer
deaths among women in the United States;
Whereas approximately 22,000 women will be diagnosed with
ovarian cancer this year, and 15,500 will die from the
disease;
Whereas these deaths are those of our mothers, sisters,
daughters, family members, and community leaders;
Whereas the mortality rate for ovarian cancer has not
significantly decreased since the ``War on Cancer'' was
declared, more than 40 years ago;
Whereas all women are at risk for ovarian cancer, and 90
percent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer do not have a
family history that puts them at higher risk;
Whereas some women, such as those with a family history of
breast or ovarian cancer, are at higher risk for developing
the disease;
Whereas the Pap test is sensitive and specific to the early
detection of cervical cancer, but not to ovarian cancer;
Whereas, as of the date of agreement to this resolution,
there is no reliable early detection test for ovarian cancer;
Whereas many people are unaware that the symptoms of
ovarian cancer often include bloating, pelvic or abdominal
pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, urinary
symptoms, and several other symptoms that are easily confused
with other diseases;
Whereas, in June 2007, the first national consensus
statement on ovarian cancer symptoms was developed to provide
consistency in describing symptoms to make it easier for
women to learn and remember the symptoms;
Whereas there are known methods to reduce the risk of
ovarian cancer, including prophylactic surgery, oral
contraceptives, and breast-feeding;
Whereas, due to the lack of a reliable early detection
test, 75 percent of cases of ovarian cancer are detected at
an advanced stage, making the overall 5-year survival rate
only 45 percent;
Whereas there are factors that are known to reduce the risk
for ovarian cancer and that play an important role in the
prevention of the disease;
Whereas awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer by
women and health care providers can lead to a quicker
diagnosis;
Whereas, each year during the month of September, the
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and its partner members hold
a number of events to increase public awareness of ovarian
cancer; and
Whereas September 2012 should be designated as ``National
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month'' to increase the awareness of
the public regarding the cancer:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of
National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
S. Res. 538
(Designating September 2012 as ``National Prostate Cancer Awareness
Month'')
Whereas countless families in the United States live with
prostate cancer;
Whereas 1 in 6 males in the United States will be diagnosed
with prostate cancer during his lifetime;
Whereas prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-
skin cancer and the second most common cause of cancer-
related deaths among males in the United States;
Whereas, in 2012, the American Cancer Society estimates
that 241,740 males will be diagnosed with prostate cancer,
and 28,170 males will die from the disease;
Whereas 30 percent of newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases
occur in males under the age of 65;
Whereas, approximately every 14 seconds, a male in the
United States turns 50 years old and increases his odds of
developing cancer, including prostate cancer;
Whereas African-American males suffer from a prostate
cancer death rate that is more than twice the death rate of
White males from prostate cancer;
Whereas obesity is a significant predictor of the severity
of prostate cancer;
Whereas the probability that obesity will lead to death and
high cholesterol levels is strongly associated with advanced
prostate cancer;
Whereas males in the United States with 1 family member
diagnosed with prostate cancer have a 33 percent chance of
being diagnosed with the disease, males with 2 family members
diagnosed have an 83 percent chance, and males with 3 family
members diagnosed have a 97 percent chance;
Whereas screening by a digital rectal examination and a
prostate-specific antigen blood test can detect the disease
at the early stages, increasing the chances of survival for
more than 5 years to nearly 100 percent;
Whereas only 27.8 percent of males survive more than 5
years if diagnosed with prostate cancer after the cancer has
metastasized;
Whereas there are no noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer
while the cancer is in the early stages, making screening
critical;
Whereas ongoing research promises further improvements in
prostate cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment;
and
Whereas educating people in the United States, including
health care providers, about prostate cancer and early
detection strategies is crucial to saving the lives of males
and preserving and protecting families: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates September 2012 as ``National Prostate Cancer
Awareness Month'';
(2) declares that steps should be taken--
(A) to raise awareness about the importance of screening
methods for, and treatment of, prostate cancer;
(B) to increase research funding in an amount commensurate
with the burden of prostate cancer so that--
(i) screening and treatment for prostate cancer may be
improved;
(ii) the causes of prostate cancer may be discovered; and
(iii) a cure for prostate cancer may be developed; and
(C) to continue to consider ways for improving access to,
and the quality of, health care services for detecting and
treating prostate cancer; and
(3) calls on the people of the United States, interested
groups, and affected persons--
(A) to promote awareness of prostate cancer;
(B) to take an active role in the fight to end the
devastating effects of prostate cancer on individuals,
families, and the economy; and
(C) to observe National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
S. Res. 539
(Designating October 13, 2012, as ``National Chess Day'')
Whereas there are more than 80,000 members of the United
States Chess Federation (referred to in this preamble as the
``Federation''), and an unknown number of additional people
in the United States who play chess without joining an
official organization;
Whereas approximately \1/2\ of the members of the
Federation are members of scholastic chess programs, and many
of those members join the Federation by the age of 10;
Whereas the Federation is very supportive of scholastic
chess programs and sponsors a Certified Chess Coach program
that provides the coaches involved in the scholastic chess
programs with training and ensures schools and students can
have confidence in the programs;
Whereas many studies have linked scholastic chess programs
to the improvement of students' scores in reading and math,
as well as improved self-esteem;
[[Page S5900]]
Whereas the Federation offers guidance to educators to help
incorporate chess into the school curriculum;
Whereas chess is a powerful cognitive learning tool that
can be used to successfully enhance students' reading skills
and understanding of math concepts; and
Whereas chess engages students of all learning styles and
strengths and promotes problem-solving and higher-level
thinking skills: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates October 13, 2012, as ``National Chess Day''
to enhance awareness and encourage students and adults to
play chess, a game known to enhance critical-thinking and
problem-solving skills; and
(2) encourages the people of the United States to observe
National Chess Day with appropriate programs and activities.
NATIONAL CHESS DAY RESOLUTION
Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I rise in support of a bipartisan
resolution to designate National Chess Day as October 13, 2012. I
greatly appreciate the support of my colleagues, Senator Lamar
Alexander of Tennessee and Senator Carl Levin of Michigan.
National Chess Day is designed to enhance awareness and encourage
students and adults to engage in a game known to enhance critical
thinking and problem-solving skills.
There are over 80,000 members of the Chess Federation with many of
these members joining before the age of 10. Studies indicate that chess
programs aid in improving students' scores in math and reading and
interest students of all learning styles and strengths. Engaging
students in such activities can make learning fun and help them develop
a lifelong pastime to exercise their skills.
Engaging students in chess is a wonderful opportunity to promote
education, and I hope as school begins in a few weeks, more students
will join the Chess Federation and learn to love this historical game.
S. Res. 540
(Designating the week of August 6 through August 10, 2012, as
``National Convenient Care Clinic Week'')
Whereas convenient care clinics are health care facilities
located in high-traffic retail outlets that provide
affordable and accessible care to patients who have little
time to schedule an appointment with a traditional primary
care provider or are otherwise unable to schedule such an
appointment;
Whereas millions of people in the United States do not have
a primary care provider, and there is a worsening primary
care provider shortage that will prevent many people from
obtaining one in the future;
Whereas convenient care clinics have provided an accessible
alternative for more than 15,000,000 people in the United
States since the first clinic opened in 2000, the number of
convenient care clinics continues to increase rapidly, and as
of June 2012, there are approximately 1,350 convenient care
clinics in 35 States;
Whereas convenient care clinics follow rigid industry-wide
quality of care and safety standards;
Whereas convenient care clinics are staffed by highly
qualified health care providers, including advanced practice
nurses, physician assistants, and physicians;
Whereas convenient care clinicians all have advanced
education in providing quality health care for common
episodic ailments including cold and flu, skin irritation,
and muscle strains and sprains, and can also provide
immunizations, physicals, and preventive health screening;
Whereas convenient care clinics are proven to be a cost-
effective alternative to similar treatment obtained in
physicians' offices, urgent care clinics, or emergency
departments; and
Whereas convenient care clinics complement traditional
medical service providers by providing extended weekday and
weekend hours without the need for an appointment, short wait
times, and visits that generally last only 15 to 20 minutes:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the week of August 6 through August 10,
2012, as ``National Convenient Care Clinic Week'';
(2) supports the goals and ideals of National Convenient
Care Clinic Week to raise awareness of the need for
accessible and cost-effective health care options to
complement the traditional health care model;
(3) recognizes that many people in the United States face
difficulties accessing traditional models of health care
delivery;
(4) supports the use of convenient care clinics as an
adjunct to the traditional model of health care delivery; and
(5) calls on the States to support the establishment of
convenient care clinics so that more people in the United
States will have access to the cost-effective and necessary
emergent and preventive services provided in the clinics.
Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize all of the
providers who work in retail-based Convenient Care Clinics in a
Resolution to designate August 6 through August 10, 2012 as National
Convenient Care Clinic Week. National Convenient Care Clinic Week will
provide a platform from which to promote the pivotal services offered
by the more than 1,350 retail-based convenient care clinics in the
United States.
Today, thousands of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and
physicians provide care in convenient care clinics. At a time when
Americans are more and more challenged by the inaccessibility and high
costs of health care, convenient care clinics offer a primary care
alternative.
A Senate Resolution will help pave the way for this effort. I ask my
colleagues to join me in supporting this tribute to Convenient Care
Clinics.
I request unanimous consent that the full text of my resolution be
printed in the Congressional Record.
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