[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24736]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 13, 2009

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition 
of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the nationwide effort to fight 
one of the most prevalent cancers in the United States. For 25 years, 
we have used the month of October to highlight the admirable work in 
the campaign against breast cancer while also recognizing that we still 
have a great fight ahead of us. While there are over 2.5 million breast 
cancer survivors in the United States, at least 40,000 more women are 
dying every year. One out of every eight women is afflicted, and my 
home state of Connecticut has the third highest rate of new breast 
cancer cases in the country.
  Recently the fight turned personal for me and my hometown of East 
Hartford. Judy Geier, a local 14-year veteran firefighter, wife of a 
police officer, and mother of five, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 
July and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. She expects surgery and 
radiation treatment in the near future. I am proud of how Judy has 
shown strength and courage in this battle, and how the East Hartford 
Fire Department, led by Fire Chief John Oates, and the entire town have 
rallied around Geier and her family during this trying time.
  This was exemplified with the work of the Department did to bring the 
Pink Heals Tour to East Hartford. Founded by Arizona firefighter, Mr. 
Dave Graybill, the Pink Heals Tour is engaged in a nationwide mission, 
armed with a caravan of pink fire trucks, to raise funds and 
involvement in communities to prevent and treat breast cancer. When the 
East Hartford firefighters learned of the Pink Heals Tour and its 
mission, they worked hard to bring the Tour to East Hartford on behalf 
of Judy. Pink Heals obliged, adding a last-minute stop to their 
nationwide journey.
  On October 1st, surrounded by the East Hartford Fire Department, 
community leaders, and the Geier Family, the Pink Heals Tour awarded 
Judy with a pink fire helmet in support of her admirable fight.
  As a nation we have made significant strides to increase the survival 
rate and improve the lives of millions of women who have battled breast 
cancer. However, there is still a great amount of work to be done to 
raise awareness and improve access to preventive and treatment services 
for every woman. I am confident that with greater funding, increased 
awareness nationwide, and community support as displayed in East 
Hartford, we can come together and win this fight.