[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 107 (Friday, July 10, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         21ST CENTURY CURES ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 9, 2015

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 6) to 
     accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of 21st 
     century cures, and for other purposes:

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Chair, the following is my statement in its entirety:
  We launched this effort a year-and-a-half ago. And with tomorrow's 
House vote, we mark an important milestone in our quest for 21st 
Century Cures--one step closer to the finish line.
  There are so many individuals throughout our 18 month journey that 
helped get us to where we are today. Patients across the country. 
Advocates. Researchers. Innovators. Experts. Academics. Regulators. 
Some of the nation's brightest minds. To all we say thank you.
  Thank you to the staff--on both sides of the aisle--who took the 
meetings, did the research, drafted the language, and sat at the 
negotiating table for countless hours to help us develop this 
incredible product. Gary Andres, Joan Hillebrands, Alexa Marrero, Clay 
Alspach, Paul Edattel, Josh Trent, Robert Horne, John Stone, Carly 
McWilliams, Katie Novaria, Adrianna Simonelli, Graham Pittman, Michelle 
Rosenberg, Traci Vitek, Sean Bonyun, Noelle Clemente, Macey Sevcik, 
Mark Ratner, Tom Wilbur, Bits Thomas, Marty Dannenfelser, Tim Pataki, 
Karen Christian, Peter Kielty, Jeff Carroll, Tiffany Guarascio, Lisa 
Cohen, Rachel Stauffer, Elizabeth Farrar, Matt Inzeo, Cole Leiter and 
all the Democratic staff, the staff of our members . . . thank you all. 
Thank you to House legislative counsel and the Congressional Budget 
Office for your efforts and dedication. Thank you to the members of 
both parties who brought their best ideas, partnered with one another 
to make their case, and delivered so many of the policies we welcome 
today.
  I'd also like to thank Hal Rogers and his staff. The Appropriations 
Committee has been a critical partner in this effort, working with us 
and developing the right approach to achieve our shared goal of helping 
patients in a fiscally responsible way.
  I especially want to highlight my partner in this effort from day 
one, Ms. DeGette. She has been to Michigan, and I have travelled to 
Colorado--we have been on a number of road trips for Cures and I look 
forward to the next journey. I also want to thank Mr. Pitts, Mr. 
Pallone, and Mr. Green for their partnership. We have made great 
strides but our work continues--and we won't stop until the ink is dry 
on the 21st Century Cures Act in the Oval Office.
  I also want to give a hearty thank you to Max--a 6-year old 
ambassador for Cures. Although he is faced with the challenge of Noonan 
syndrome, he has been a little warrior in this effort. He joined us 
when we had our 51 to zero vote in the committee. And I am delighted 
Max will be by my side tomorrow on the floor for final passage.
  Helping Max is why we're here. Helping my friends Brooke and Brielle 
is why we are here.
  With a resounding vote, we will send a signal to the Senate--loud and 
clear--that the time is now for Cures 2015. I look forward to working 
with my Senate counterparts to continue the momentum and get 21st 
Century Cures to the president's desk.
  We have a chance to do something big, and this is our time.
  Vote yes.

                          ____________________