[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 24348-24349]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Paulsen) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I just want to rise in support tonight and 
commend my colleagues from Florida and North Carolina for their support 
in this effort and bringing attention to this very important issue.
  As I listened to the personal stories tonight, I couldn't help but 
think about how this has touched so many different people in so many 
different ways. As the father of four daughters myself, I certainly 
have the perspective of wanting to focus early prevention and attention 
on this issue.
  I have staff members who have family members who have been afflicted 
by this terrible disease. I think it is very important to recognize 
that as we look at October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the 
efforts that are going on here this evening, the more that we can do as 
a Congress bipartisanly and across the aisle, especially to drive 
attention and focus on a disease that is afflicting so many people and 
is something that is very preventable, as was mentioned. This is the 
disease that is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the 
United States after skin cancer, and the second most common cause of 
cancer death, after lung cancer, among U.S. women.
  Twenty-five years ago was the first observance of National Breast 
Cancer Awareness. We have come a long way since then, but we have a 
long, long way to go. We must continue to do more to raise awareness of 
this very serious issue.
  That is the reason that I am a cosponsor of the gentlelady's 
legislation from Florida. It does focus the education on the prevention 
measures which are so critical. I mention that, having four young 
daughters myself. That is a bill that has 370 cosponsors. There aren't 
that many pieces of legislation that garner that type of support. It 
really is a testimony of not only the issue, but the leadership of the 
gentlelady from Florida. It is an honor to be part of this effort 
tonight and to drive focus and attention on this.
  This bill really does focus important attention to early detection, 
which is the key to preventing and curbing this horrible disease. 
Studies have shown that early detection of breast cancer can and does 
save lives.

[[Page 24349]]

  Mammograms performed every 1 or 2 years for women aged 40 years or 
older can reduce mortality by approximately 20 to 25 percent over 10 
years. So it works.
  I was proud last night to highlight an example of two young 
entrepreneurs, enterprising constituents in my district, that began 
their own efforts to drive attention on this deadly disease. They 
started their own lawn care business, but on the side they decided to 
dedicate a portion of their profits toward breast cancer research.
  So these two young 15-year-olds have begun one of the most inspiring 
and philanthropic organizations throughout Minnesota, and now they are 
trying to drive more attention to this around the country and 
throughout Minnesota to raise money to focus attention on breast cancer 
research. It goes all the way down to the younger and youth that are 
trying to bring attention to this issue.
  I hope this month serves as a reminder of early detection and 
screening and working towards a cure for breast cancer.
  I thank the gentlelady for giving me some time this evening and for 
her leadership.

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