[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 179 (Monday, December 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 CHILDHOOD CANCER SURVIVORSHIP, TREATMENT, ACCESS, AND RESEARCH ACT OF 
                                  2016

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2016

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the 
Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act. As the most 
comprehensive way to address childhood cancer, the bill advances 
research, treatment, and quality of life for pediatric cancer survivors 
here in Maryland and across the nation.
  Each year, nearly 16,000 children in the United States are diagnosed 
with cancer. While there have been advances made in childhood cancer 
research, too many young people and their families continue to suffer. 
And for the kids who survive, the battle is not over. Ninety-five 
percent of survivors will suffer serious health complications as they 
age.
  To give pediatric cancer patients and their families hope, I 
spearheaded the STAR Act with Congressman Mike McCaul and Congresswoman 
Jackie Speier. By the bill's several provisions, including improving 
efforts to identify and track childhood cancer incidence and 
establishing a pilot program to explore innovative models of care to 
enhance the quality of life for survivors, the STAR Act will provide 
our researchers with the necessary resources to work towards cures and 
less toxic treatments that will help our children live longer, 
healthier lives.
  With the majority of this chamber as co-sponsors, this bill shows 
that Congress can come together to make progress for the most 
vulnerable in our society--the thousands of children and families 
impacted by cancer. It is also a testament of passionate advocacy--
those who fight hard so another child's life is not robbed too early 
from cancer or so survivors do not have to live with physical and 
psychological effects of harmful treatments. I want to thank all the 
advocates who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes and who 
have helped us get this vital bill to the House floor today.
  Lastly, it has been an honor serving as the Co-Chair of the Childhood 
Cancer Caucus with Congressman Mike McCaul and want to welcome the new 
Co-Chairs for next Congress: Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Congressman 
G.K. Butterfield, and Congressman Mike Kelly.
  I strongly support passage of the STAR Act and urge my colleagues to 
vote in favor of the bill.

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