[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 190 (Wednesday, December 7, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S7027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO COLONEL PAUL TAYLOR

 Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, today I want to recognize and pay 
tribute to a remarkable Kansan: retired U.S. Army COL Paul Taylor of 
Overland Park. Paul was recently awarded ZERO's 2022 Prostate Cancer 
Veterans Advocacy Award for his leadership in improving prostate cancer 
outcomes for veterans impacted by this disease.
  Paul was first diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer in 2012 at the 
age of 41 while preparing for deployment to Afghanistan. As is too 
often the case, he did not experience any notable symptoms warning of 
the disease. It was a routine predeployment medical screening that 
saved his life.
  Unfortunately, Paul's story is not rare. With nearly 489,000 patients 
suffering from prostate cancer, this is one of the most common cancer 
diagnoses among American veterans. In fact, one in five veterans will 
develop prostate cancer in his lifetime.
  With the support and encouragement of his superiors, Paul retained 
his command of 700 soldiers throughout his medical treatment consisting 
of hormone therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. He later retired from the 
Army and continued to serve his country in emergency management roles 
throughout regional and national crises.
  Paul's cancer is now under control with treatment and is closely 
monitored. He credits his family and patient support groups for their 
care and encouragement throughout his cancer journey. They have been 
meaningful sources of emotional support and mentorship as he underwent 
treatment for the disease.
  For those facing similar health challenges, he encourages them to 
find a community to offer support and hope throughout the journey. He 
embodied this principle himself by choosing to sacrifice his own time 
and talents to help those facing prostate cancer.
  Even as Paul battled this terrible disease himself, he dedicated his 
life to fighting prostate cancer through volunteer leadership to help 
all who suffer from this disease--but especially veterans.
  Today, Paul lives in Overland Park, KS, with his wife Amy and three 
daughters. He is an active and dedicated advocate for veterans who 
suffer from prostate cancer.
  His efforts have been instrumental in the progress of S. 2720, the 
Veterans' Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act. This legislation 
creates a clinical pathway for prostate cancer in the Department of 
Veterans Affairs and helps thousands of veterans manage their prostate 
cancer treatment process.
  On behalf of the U.S. Senate, it is my honor to recognize Paul Taylor 
for his courage, sacrifice, and determination as he now offers hope and 
support to the nearly 3.1 million men living with prostate cancer in 
the United States.

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