[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 170 (Tuesday, December 3, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SEEKING A CURE FOR PANCREATIC CANCER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM GRIFFIN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 3, 2013

  Mr. GRIFFIN of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the 
devastating disease pancreatic cancer.
  Pancreatic cancer is the fourth largest cause of cancer deaths in the 
United States. With a five-year survival rate of just six percent, it 
is one of the scariest and most difficult cancer diagnoses a person can 
receive.
  Hope is found in outstanding treatment and research facilities, such 
as the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, located in Central 
Arkansas, which I represent.
  It is also found in the work of scientists and advocates, such as the 
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, whose Arkansas chapter tirelessly 
advances awareness of the disease and supports the researchers seeking 
cures.
  During the 112th Congress, the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act, 
which I supported, was signed into law. Passing this bill was a huge 
step forward for cancer research.
  Federal research grants provide the seed money pancreatic cancer 
researchers need to identify specific risk factors and develop early 
detection methods--all of which someday, hopefully, will lead to a 
cure.
  Cancer research relies on the certainty that critical research funds 
will be available into the future.
  But, we can make these investments only when our Nation's spending 
priorities are in order.
  America has what I call a Pac-Man problem: autopilot spending is 
driving up our debt and swallowing up our ability to fund programs like 
medical research, transportation improvements, and health care for our 
veterans.
  Nearly two-thirds of our Federal budget is auto-pilot, mandatory 
spending including Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and interest on 
our debt.
  Unless we save and strengthen these programs for the future, Pac-Man 
will continue to swallow up the dollars we'd like to invest in research 
to fight deadly diseases including pancreatic cancer.
  I have long supported critical funding for research and will continue 
to do so.
  I will also continue to fight to reform the drivers of our debt 
because, unless we do, our Nation will have even fewer resources to 
direct toward the research and treatments that will save American 
lives.

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