[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 70 (Thursday, April 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VERONICA ESCOBAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2022

  Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate National 
Infertility Awareness Week to salute the parents, doctors, researchers, 
and others for the extraordinary progress made over the last four 
decades to help individuals have families who without this progress 
could not. National Infertility Awareness Week, founded in 1989 by 
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is the largest public 
awareness campaign that addresses the public health issue of 
infertility.
  Most Americans are not aware that one in eight, or nearly 7.4 million 
Americans are impacted by the disease of Infertility. The disease 
affects both men and women and it knows no barriers--it affects 
individuals of all races, religious backgrounds, and economic statuses.
  Since 1978, as a result of extraordinary medical advancements, 
millions of couples have been able to receive life-affirming treatments 
to become pregnant. While for most of us having a child is taken for 
granted it is a painful and devastating struggle for millions of 
couples throughout the world.
  Research scientists have been making significant advancement of 
Infertility treatments including a procedure that allows young cancer 
patients to preserve their fertility prior to undergoing lifesaving 
chemotherapy treatments are incredible. Organizations like RESOLVE, the 
Military Family Building Coalition, the National Infertility 
Association, and the Alliance for Fertility Preservation advocate for 
the millions of individuals and couples in this country who need help 
to have a family. Ms. Barb Collura, the CEO of RESOLVE, has testified 
before Congress in support of fertility services for the countless 
military veterans whose service-related injuries have rendered them 
infertile. There are also others such as Joyce Reinecke, Executive 
Director of Alliance for Fertility Preservation and cancer survivor, 
who has lent her voice on the importance of affordable fertility 
preservation options for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. As a 
matter of fact, in the absence of coverage, charitable organizations 
providing valuable, life-changing, financial assistance the option of 
having children after surviving cancer might not otherwise be 
available.
  Congress can do more to remove many of the barriers that currently 
exist for those who experience infertility challenges but want to have 
a child. And I applaud my colleagues including Congresswoman Wasserman 
Schultz, Congresswoman Brownley, Congresswoman DeLauro, Congresswoman 
Strickland, and Congressman Rick Larsen for introducing legislation 
devoted to eliminating obstacles to building families. I also salute 
the millions of infertility warriors throughout the country and the 
world, who advocate on behalf of that most precious of gifts, that of 
family.

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