[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 24186]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               EXPLANATION OF ``BY REQUEST'' LEGISLATION

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I wish to speak about the meaning of ``by 
request'' legislation and more specifically about my continuation of a 
longstanding practice in the Veterans' Affairs Committee of the 
chairman introducing legislation at the request of the administration.
  While I expect that those who deal regularly with the Veterans' 
Affairs Committee, such as the established veterans service 
organizations, understand the meaning of a bill introduced ``by 
request,'' I have recently become aware that there are some veterans 
who are unfamiliar with this practice and who, therefore, have 
misinterpreted my recent introduction of certain ``by request'' 
legislation as support for the passage of the bills into law. This is 
not the case.
  As our colleagues know, periodically the administration sends forward 
to the Congress legislation for consideration. Those measures that fall 
within the jurisdiction of the Veterans' Affairs Committee are referred 
by the Parliamentarian to our committee. In a tradition that began in 
the earliest days of the committee, the chairman, as a courtesy to the 
administration, introduces such bills on a ``by request'' basis. This 
is a courtesy that has generally been extended to every administration 
and by every chairman, regardless of the party affiliation of the 
administration or chairman, and one that I am pleased to continue.
  When I introduce legislation ``by request,'' I am taking no position 
on the legislation. In fact, I introduce such legislation without 
including any statement or explanatory materials. I do so for the 
express purpose of both accommodating the administration and ensuring 
that others are aware of the proposed legislation so that they might 
analyze it and, if they wish, comment upon it. As chairman, I am 
committed to the development of the best possible policy in the area of 
veterans issues and I firmly believe that this goal is most 
successfully achieved with the free exchange of ideas, not by stifling 
different points of view.
  During this Congress, in accordance with this practice, I have 
introduced four ``by request'' bills, S. 1757, S. 2025, S. 2026, and S. 
2027. It is one of these measures, S. 2026, relating to certain Agent 
Orange issues, that has generated the most confusion among some 
veterans. I hope that my explanation of ``by request'' legislation 
helps to clear up these misunderstandings.
  I have taken no position on any of these four bills and simply 
introduced them as a professional courtesy to the administration. 
Indeed, at this point, I do not know whether these bills will receive 
consideration by the committee. For those who have views on some or all 
of these measures, I welcome your input. I ask that in providing your 
views you recognize that my introduction of ``by request'' legislation 
should not be interpreted as a reflection of my views on the content of 
any such bill.


               NATIONAL PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I am in support of S. Res. 222, a 
resolution that recognizes November as National Pancreatic Cancer 
Awareness Month. This resolution represents a way to educate 
communities across the Nation about pancreatic cancer and the need for 
increased research funding, early detection methods, and effective 
treatments and educational programs. I am pleased to be joining my 
colleague, Senator Clinton, as the lead sponsor of this important 
measure.
  Like many Americans, I have seen the ramifications of cancer 
firsthand. I support this resolution in honor and loving memory of the 
millions of Americans who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 
and their families, and for my mother Jessica Udall Smith whom I lost 
to this killer.
  Pancreatic cancer is hard to detect in its early stages as it doesn't 
cause symptoms right away. Also, because the pancreas is hidden behind 
other organs, health care providers cannot see or feel the tumors 
during routine exams. Because there are no early detection methods, 
pancreatic cancer often is found late and spreads quickly.
  This year, more than 37,000 Americans will receive a diagnosis of 
pancreatic cancer and for over 33,000 of them their diagnosis will 
ultimately end in their death. While overall cancer death rates have 
declined, the number of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is 
increasing. It is projected that this year, 440 Oregonians will die 
from pancreatic cancer. That represents a 17 percent increase in 
pancreatic cancer deaths in Oregon over the last 3 to 4 years.
  Pancreatic cancer has been forced into the national spotlight in 
recent weeks. On August 18, 2007, Michael Deaver, one of former 
President Ronald Reagan's closest advisers, succumbed to the disease at 
age 69. Just last week, famed opera singer Luciano Pavarotti died after 
a yearlong battle at age 71. Something that is striking about both of 
their cases is that despite their celebrity and contacts, neither man 
had much more than a fighting chance of overcoming this disease. There 
are simply no curative treatments--experimental or FDA approved--that 
currently are available to fight this disease, even when price is no 
object.
  Individuals fighting pancreatic cancer continue to face 
discouragingly low odds of survival. In 1975, the 5-year survival rate 
for pancreatic cancer was 2 percent. Twenty-five years later, the 
survival rate remains at an unacceptably low level of 5 percent, making 
this cancer the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. Indeed, 
pancreatic cancer is considered the deadliest cancer, of which 75 
percent of patients diagnosed with this disease die within the first 
year and most within the first 3 to 6 months. Early detection tools, 
such as those that currently are available for ovarian, colon, breast 
and prostate cancer, would make a significant impact on pancreatic 
cancer, but those tools require a new investment in basic scientific 
research at the National Cancer Institute, NCI.
  I support biomedical research and the great promise it holds in the 
development of new treatments and possible cures for the many types of 
cancer, including pancreatic cancer. Past investments at the NCI have 
helped drive new discoveries that led to the decline in overall cancer 
deaths in the U.S. for the second consecutive year. Now is the time to 
expand our efforts in the fight against pancreatic cancer, but that 
will be impossible unless we find a way to secure more funding for the 
NCI.
  The Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Network is a national organization 
that is working to comprehensively address the problem of pancreatic 
cancer by providing patient support, advancing research, and creating 
hope. I support their efforts to raise awareness of this disease and 
believe that it is important that we recognize November as National 
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
  I ask my colleagues support this resolution, which will help increase 
research, education and awareness for pancreatic cancer.

                          ____________________