[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 9673-9675]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BRAIN TUMOR 
                            AWARENESS MONTH

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1124) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives that there should be established a National Brain Tumor 
Awareness Month, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1124

       Whereas brain tumors are the leading cause of death from 
     solid tumors in children under the age of 20, and are the 
     third leading cause of death from cancer in young adults ages 
     20-39;
       Whereas more than 190,000 people in the United States are 
     diagnosed with a brain tumor each year;
       Whereas of these tumors, approximately 40,000 are new cases 
     of primary brain tumors and approximately 150,000 are 
     metastatic brain tumors, where a cancer spread from another 
     part of the body to the brain;
       Whereas some 10-15 percent of all persons with cancer will 
     experience a metastatic brain tumor at some point;

[[Page 9674]]

       Whereas brain tumors may be either malignant or benign, but 
     can be life-threatening in either case;
       Whereas treatment of brain tumors is complicated by the 
     more than 120 different types of such tumors;
       Whereas national priorities for dealing with brain tumors 
     include--
       (1) supporting research programs at the National Cancer 
     Institute;
       (2) strengthening brain tumor research program leadership 
     at the National Institutes of Health, including the National 
     Cancer Institute; and
       (3) strengthening access to critical healthcare services 
     for Medicare beneficiaries;
       Whereas the North American Brain Tumor Coalition 
     established a Brain Tumor Action Week during the first week 
     of May 2007 and each subsequent first week in May;
       Whereas the Lori Arquilla Andersen Foundation is recognized 
     for their efforts to promote awareness of the life-
     threatening effects of brain tumors, to advocate on behalf of 
     brain tumor patients, and to raise funds for medical 
     research;
       Whereas Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure is recognized for 
     their work to bring more treatments to patients, stimulate 
     research and development and otherwise support the 
     accelerated development of new therapies for brain cancer;
       Whereas the Goldhirsh Foundation is recognized for being 
     devoted to providing support for innovative brain tumor 
     research with grants awarded through The Brain Tumor Research 
     Awards Program and The Brain Tumor Funders Collaborative;
       Whereas the American Brain Tumor Association is recognized 
     for their work to eliminate brain tumors through research and 
     to meet the needs of brain tumor patients and their families;
       Whereas The Brain Tumor Society is recognized for their 
     work to find a cure for brain tumors, improve the quality of 
     life for brain tumor patients, survivors, and their families, 
     and raise funds to advance research projects that enhance 
     treatments and find a cure;
       Whereas the National Brain Tumor Foundation is recognized 
     for their work to find a cure for brain tumors, and for 
     giving hope to the brain tumor community by funding 
     meaningful research and providing resources and education to 
     patients;
       Whereas the Tug McGraw Foundation is recognized for their 
     work to support research that will improve the quality of 
     life in the physical, social, spiritual, and cognitive areas 
     of patients dealing with brain cancer;
       Whereas the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation is recognized 
     for their work to strive to serve the needs of families and 
     children with brain tumors in hopes of improving the quality 
     of life and finding cures for pediatric brain tumors through 
     funding basic science or clinical research;
       Whereas the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation is recognized 
     for their work to improve the treatment, quality of life, and 
     the long term outlook for children with brain and spinal cord 
     tumors through research, support, education, and advocacy to 
     families and survivors;
       Whereas the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is recognized 
     for their work to eradicate brain tumors, providing support 
     for families, and increasing public awareness about the 
     severity and prevalence of childhood brain tumors;
       Whereas the Southeastern Brain Tumor foundation is 
     recognized for their work to instill hope, knowledge and 
     comfort by offering information, education, and support 
     services to all affected by brain tumors;
       Whereas the Oklahoma Brain Tumor Foundation is recognized 
     for their work in meeting the needs of Oklahoma families, 
     caregivers and patients affected by brain tumors, through 
     education, advocacy, research and service;
       Whereas the Michael Quinlan Brain Tumor Foundation is 
     recognized for their work to support those affected by brain 
     tumors through educational, emotional, financial, and 
     spiritual services;
       Whereas the Brain Tumor Action Network is recognized for 
     their work to bring awareness to the general public about 
     brain tumors and to educate and empower brain tumor 
     survivors, their families and friends;
       Whereas May would be an appropriate month to recognize as 
     National Brain Tumor Awareness Month; and
       Whereas there is a need for greater awareness of brain 
     tumors and brain cancer on the part of the public, including 
     awareness of symptoms and warning signs, treatment options, 
     research needs, and public policy implications: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
     there should be established a National Brain Tumor Awareness 
     Month; and
       (2) the House of Representatives applauds the actions of 
     medical professionals and other caregivers, researchers, 
     patients and their families, and others who strive to combat 
     and raise public awareness of brain tumors and brain cancer.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to express my gratitude to Chairman Dingell for 
his support in bringing this resolution to the floor today. I want to 
also thank Congressman Roskam for his support and cosponsorship of this 
resolution.
  For me, the heart and soul behind the effort to establish a Brain 
Tumor Awareness Month has been the Lori Arquilla Andersen Foundation, 
which is in my home district in Illinois.
  Many of us have been touched by cancer, my family included. But when 
Linda Magiera lost her precious daughter, Lori, to brain cancer in 
2005, she made sure to continue her daughter's passion for life and 
desire to help others by creating the Lori Arquilla Andersen Foundation 
in her name.
  Lori was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme stage 4 brain cancer, 
one of the most deadly, at the age of 33, just 3 months after her 
wedding. She passed away 22 months to the day after her first of five 
surgeries.
  I am told by those who knew her that Lori was always upbeat, 
positive, courageous, and smiling. The Lori Arquilla Andersen 
Foundation has exemplified that energy over the past years. They have 
made important strides in increasing awareness and raising funds for 
brain tumor research, but they are also responsible for bringing the 
issues that are important to the brain tumor community as well as this 
resolution to my attention.
  While the Andersen Foundation has managed to put a face on these 
issues for me, the larger brain tumor community has also done 
incredible work over the past decade. They have worked tirelessly to 
support people with brain tumors and their families, raise awareness of 
the disease and its effects, and to attain resolutions from governors, 
State legislators, city councils, and mayors in support of establishing 
a Brain Tumor Awareness Month in May. Today, we take one giant step 
forward in advancing their cause. And it won't be a moment too soon.
  Over 44,500 people in the United States are diagnosed with a primary 
brain tumor in the brain or spine each year; and among children, brain 
tumors are the second most common cancer and comprise approximately 25 
percent of all pediatric cancers. Although less prevalent than other 
cancers such as lung, breast, or prostate cancer, brain tumors are in 
no way trivial for those who have them. Because they are located in the 
``control center,'' the thought, memory, emotion, sensation, and 
movement, brain tumors have serious and at times devastating effects on 
the lives of patients and their families. Brain tumors can change an 
individual's personality, their ability to communicate, and their 
ability to walk or see.
  Unfortunately, with over 126 different kinds of primary brain tumors, 
the development of effective treatments is uncommonly complicated.

                              {time}  1715

  The 5-year survival rate following the diagnosis of a primary 
malignant brain tumor is about 30 percent. However, the average 
survival rate for patients with glioblastomas is less than 5 percent, 
and most survive for only 6 to 12 months. We must continue to work 
towards finding a cure for this terrible disease.
  Strong support for ongoing research is the answer, and increased 
awareness is the first step in getting there. I'm so pleased to be 
making progress on this resolution today. And with the recent Race For 
Hope which was held on Sunday, March 4, here in Washington, DC,

[[Page 9675]]

and raised $1.62 million for brain tumor research, it is certainly 
timely.
  Again, I want to thank Chairman Dingell and his staff for their hard 
work in bringing this resolution to the floor.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I rise today in support of H. Res. 1124, acknowledging the month of 
May as an appropriate month to celebrate National Brain Tumor Awareness 
Month. I'd like to commend the North American Brain Tumor Coalition for 
its work and efforts in establishing Brain Tumor Action Week in the 
beginning of May each year.
  In the United States, Mr. Speaker, more than 190,000 people are 
diagnosed with brain tumors each year. Of those 190,000 Americans 
diagnosed, 40,000 cases are primary tumors, and the remaining 150,000 
cases are secondary tumors, where cancer has spread from another part 
of the body.
  My mother suffered and passed away 11 years ago from a secondary 
brain tumor that began as lung cancer. The pain and the anguish she 
suffered, the convulsions, despite a major surgical procedure and 
anticonvulsant drugs like dilantin, were absolutely heartbreaking.
  Anything and everything we can do to mitigate brain tumors must be 
done. Thus, I'd like to applaud the efforts and advocacy for brain 
tumor awareness by the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation, the American 
Brain Tumor Association, the Brain Tumor Society and the National Brain 
Tumor Foundation, the Brain Tumor Action Network and the many other 
groups valuable contributions to combating these brain tumors.
  I would especially like to thank the author of the resolution, Ms. 
Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, for her leadership in raising brain tumor 
awareness and commending the efforts of those groups who have helped 
educate Americans about the symptoms and the warning signs.
  I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for his 
support. It seems that we have something in common. My daughter-in-law 
passed away from a secondary brain tumor as well, so I appreciate the 
special meaning that this has for you personally, and for your support 
for this legislation.
  Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank the gentlewoman from 
Illinois, Ms. Schakowsky, for her leadership on this issue and for 
bringing this bill to the floor.
  I rise today to support the passage of H. Res. 1124, calling for the 
establishment of a National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.
  Each year, more than 190,000 people in the United States are 
diagnosed with over 120 different types of brain tumors, representing 
the third leading cause of cancer-related death among those aged 20-39. 
However, since brain tumors are not as prevalent as breast, lung and 
other types of cancers, this devastating disease often doesn't get the 
attention and research dollars it deserves.
  That's why I was so impressed when Linda Magiera of Des Plaines, IL, 
came to Congresswoman Schakowsky and me last year to bravely share the 
story of her daughter, Lori Arquilla Anderson's struggle with brain 
cancer. Each day Lori brought her good humor, cheerfulness and love of 
life to her battle with brain cancer, and remained a model for us all 
until the very end.
  Linda's strength and compassion in not only fighting day by day 
alongside her daughter, but also in ultimately turning this tragedy 
into a blessing for others, is an inspiration.
  I was similarly struck by the story of a young man from my 
Congressional District, Reid Colliander, who has worked so hard to turn 
his experience with a brain tumor into an opportunity to raise 
awareness, support research, and help others.
  After being diagnosed and treated for a brain tumor at age 7, Reid 
started Reid's Lemon-AID stand with a group of his friends. Last year, 
they raised $45,000 for the Brain Tumor Research Center at Children's 
Memorial Hospital. This year, they are well on their way to raising 
even more.
  The work Linda Magiera, Reid Colliander and dozens of outstanding 
local and national advocacy groups are doing to raise awareness and 
support research for understanding and treating brain tumors brings 
hope and new energy to the families and individuals affected by this 
disease.
  Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please join me in 
recognizing the individuals leading these effort to eradicate brain 
tumors and resolving to renew our commitment and redouble our efforts 
in the battle with this devastating disease.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1124, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the 
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a 
quorum is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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