[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[House]
[Pages 28562-28563]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1545
       SUPPORTING THE OBSERVANCE OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 230) supporting the observance 
of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 230

       Whereas every 3 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast 
     cancer;
       Whereas another 180,510 new cases of breast cancer are 
     expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2007;
       Whereas breast cancer is the leading cause of death among 
     women between the ages of 45 and 54;
       Whereas 1 out of every 8 women who live to the age of 85 
     will develop breast cancer in her lifetime;
       Whereas the survival rate of women who have breast cancer 
     is 98.1 percent when detected in the early stages;
       Whereas mammograms and monthly breast self-examinations are 
     the key components of early detection; and
       Whereas observing a Breast Cancer Awareness Month would 
     provide a special opportunity to offer education on the 
     importance of monthly breast self-examinations and annual 
     mammograms: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) supports the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness 
     Month in order to provide a special opportunity to offer 
     education on the importance of monthly breast self-
     examinations and annual mammograms;
       (2) salutes the more than 2.4 million breast cancer 
     survivors in the United States and the efforts of victims, 
     volunteers, and professionals who combat breast cancer each 
     day;
       (3) recognizes and applauds the national and community 
     organizations for their work in promoting awareness about 
     breast cancer, providing information, and offering treatment 
     to its sufferers; and
       (4) urges organizations and health practitioners to use 
     this opportunity to promote awareness about breast cancer, to 
     support monthly self-examinations, and to encourage annual 
     mammograms.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny 
Brown-Waite) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Wisconsin.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 230, a 
resolution supporting the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 
As an original cosponsor of this resolution, I am proud to speak out in 
favor of greater support for breast cancer awareness and prevention. 
Through my work with Congresswoman Sue Myrick in reauthorizing the 
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, I am well 
aware of the challenges that lie ahead in preventing and ultimately 
finding a cure for breast cancer.
  As my colleagues may know, breast cancer is the leading cause of 
death among women between the ages of 45 and 54. Many of us have 
witnessed a family member or a friend struggle with the devastating 
effects of breast cancer. We must ensure that these women do not suffer 
alone.
  With this resolution, we affirm our solidarity with the 2 million-
plus breast cancer survivors as we seek to find a cure for this and 
other cancers. We also pay tribute to the volunteers and health care 
professionals who work to combat breast cancer every day.
  H. Con. Resolution 230 supports the observance of Breast Cancer 
Awareness Month, a time to reemphasize the importance of monthly breast 
self-examinations and annual mammograms. As in the case of many 
diseases, early detection goes a long way toward ensuring survival. As 
many of my colleagues know, approximately 98 percent of women who are 
able to detect breast cancer in its most early stage survive. We must 
use this opportunity to educate women, all women, to ensure that they 
take the necessary steps to protect themselves from this potentially 
fatal disease.
  I also rise to pay tribute to our friend and our colleague, 
Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis, who lost her life to breast cancer earlier 
this month. We are reminded that breast cancer can strike anyone. This 
resolution also expresses our gratitude to national and community 
organizations, such as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 
that have made us all aware of the power of the pink ribbon, been on 
the forefront in raising awareness about this disease and provided 
information to better understand this disease.
  I also want to thank my colleague Representative Ginny Brown-Waite 
and the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues for their leadership on 
this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to join me in support of its 
adoption.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to offer my 
resolution on the House floor today, House Concurrent Resolution 230, 
supporting the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
  The effects of breast cancer have touched almost every American, 
whether through losing a loved one, as I did, or going through the pain 
of chemotherapy and a long recovery, as millions of individuals have 
done.
  I introduced this resolution to support the breast cancer education 
and outreach efforts that have taken place this October. We all know 
that every 3 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and that 
this is the leading cause of death among women between the ages of 15 
and 54. However, if this disease is detected early, the breast cancer 
survival rate is 98 percent.
  Congress must continue to promote breast cancer awareness and support 
efforts to defeat this disease. My resolution expresses support for the 
observation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is this month of 
October. The resolution provides a special opportunity to offer 
education on the importance of monthly breast self-examinations and 
annual mammograms. My resolution also salutes the 2.4 million breast 
cancer survivors in the United States and the efforts of victims, 
volunteers and professionals who combat breast cancer every day.
  Finally, this measure applauds the national and community 
organizations for their work in promoting awareness about breast 
cancer. A woman's risk for developing breast cancer increases if family 
members have a history of breast cancer, particularly at an early age. 
However, 85 percent of women who develop breast cancer have no known 
family history of the disease.
  It cannot be stressed enough that early detection is the best chance 
for survival of a person who has a breast cancer diagnosis. Women must 
take care of their health and be aware of their risk factors, perform 
self-examinations and get annual checkups. While breast cancer 
predominately affects women, we are regularly reminded that a 
significant number of men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
  My colleague, Ms. Baldwin, mentioned Jo Ann Davis. Jo Ann Davis 
certainly was a very, very brave lady who fought breast cancer. 
Actually, she fought it twice. She won the first time, and it came 
back. We all remember her in this Chamber and we remember her desire to 
make sure that a cure is found. If Jo Ann Davis were here today, she 
would not only vote in favor of this, but she also would be speaking on 
behalf of it.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Representative Baldwin and the 129 
Members who co-signed this very important piece of legislation with me. 
I certainly urge all Members to support H. Con. Res. 230 to ensure that 
the House continues to bring awareness to this important issue.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues to support

[[Page 28563]]

this very important resolution. Observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month 
gives us an opportunity to educate the public on the importance of 
monthly breast self-exams and annual mammograms. It also gives us an 
opportunity to salute those who work every day in raising awareness 
about breast cancer and our health care professionals who work with 
patients to fight it.
  Again, I want to commend the work of my colleague, Representative 
Ginny Brown-Waite, for her work on this important issue, and I urge all 
my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
230, a resolution supporting the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness 
Month. This resolution provides a special opportunity to increase 
awareness on the importance of regular self-examinations, as early 
detection is the key to increasing survival rates.
  This is also an occasion on which we can recognize the more than 2.4 
million breast cancer survivors and remember those who are no longer 
with us on account of this deadly disease. This past October, survivors 
and activists have reminded us why it is so important to support 
research throughout the entire year to find a cure for breast cancer.
  In this country, this disease strikes 1 woman every 3 minutes, and it 
is the leading cause of death among women ages 45 to 54. The numbers 
are staggering--we simply must continue to adequately fund research and 
ensure that services and treatments are accessible to those who need 
them.
  Mr. Speaker, in honor of those who have fought a courageous battle 
with breast cancer, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
resolution.
  Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. 
Res. 230, observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I offer my thoughts 
and prayers to those who have lost family members to breast cancer, and 
offer hope and encouragement to those who are currently battling the 
disease.
  Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women aged 45 to 
54, and 1 out of 8 women will be diagnosed with the disease over the 
course of their lifetime. It is expected that over 180,000 new cases of 
breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2007 alone.
  Fortunately, there is hope. When breast cancer is detected at early 
stages the survival rate for women is over 98 percent. Annual 
mammograms and monthly self-examinations are essential in detecting 
breast cancer at early stages.
  Research has significantly increased our understanding of breast 
cancer. While there is still no cure for breast cancer, researchers 
have identified key risk factors for the disease.
  I applaud the national and community organizations that promote 
awareness of breast cancer, offer support to those that are battling 
the disease, and provide information about early detection. It is 
imperative that these organizations continue their work to educate 
women about the disease and encourage monthly self-exams and annual 
mammograms.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in observing Breast Cancer Awareness 
Month.
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, as this week concludes the 
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month of October, I rise today to 
reflect on some of the issues that have been brought to the country's 
attention over the last 30 days.
  According to the National Cancer Institute there have been over 
180,000 new cases of breast cancer among men and women and nearly 
50,000 deaths in the United States this year. Breast Cancer 
disproportionately affects women and is the second leading cause of 
death for American women.
  Mrs. Priscilla Davis from Hartford, Connecticut, a constituent as 
well as the mother of a member of my staff, was diagnosed with breast 
cancer in 2006. Her story is an all too familiar one--a story of fear 
and confusion on one hand, and courage, strength and hope on the other. 
Thankfully, Priscilla's breast cancer was detected early and treated 
before it was too late. Sadly, as the statistics show, many women are 
not as fortunate.
  Research, education, and awareness are essential in curbing the 
mortality rates of breast cancer. I would like to commend organizations 
like the American Cancer Society and the Susan Komen Foundation for 
their commitment to making us aware of the symptoms of breast cancer 
and for their advocacy on behalf of the women and families who have 
been affected by this deadly disease.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the women and men across the country who 
share Priscilla Davis's story and in honor of those who have lost their 
lives to the disease, I ask my colleagues to join me in carrying 
forward what we learned during this year's National Breast Cancer 
Awareness Month in the hope that during the next one we will also have 
cause to celebrate a cure.
  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time and 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 230.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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