[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 18151-18152]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL MESOTHELIOMA AWARENESS DAY

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 771) supporting the goals and ideals of a National 
Mesothelioma Awareness Day.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 771

       Whereas mesothelioma is a terminal, asbestos-related cancer 
     that affects the linings of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or 
     testicles;
       Whereas workers exposed on a daily basis over a long period 
     of time are most at risk, but even short-term exposures can 
     cause the disease and an exposure to asbestos for as little 
     as one month can result in mesothelioma 20-50 years later;
       Whereas asbestos was used in the construction of virtually 
     all office buildings, public schools, and homes built before 
     1975 and asbestos is still on the United States market in 
     over 3,000 products;
       Whereas there is no known safe level of exposure to 
     asbestos;
       Whereas millions of workers in the United States have been, 
     and continue to be, exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos;
       Whereas the National Institutes of Health reported to 
     Congress in 2006 that mesothelioma is a difficult disease to 
     detect, diagnose, and treat;
       Whereas the National Cancer Institute recognizes a clear 
     need for new agents to improve the outlook for patients with 
     mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases;
       Whereas for decades, the need to develop treatments for 
     mesothelioma was overlooked and today, even the best 
     available treatments usually have only a very limited effect 
     and the expected survival time of those diagnosed with the 
     disease is between 8 and 14 months;
       Whereas mesothelioma has claimed the lives of such heroes 
     and public servants as Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr., and 
     Congressman Bruce F. Vento, and a high percentage of today's 
     mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos while serving 
     in the United States Navy;
       Whereas it is believed that many of the firefighters, 
     police officers, and rescue workers from Ground Zero on 
     September 11, 2001, may be at increased risk of contracting 
     mesothelioma in the future;
       Whereas the establishment of a National Mesothelioma 
     Awareness Day would raise public awareness of the disease and 
     of the need to develop treatments and enhance public 
     awareness for it; and
       Whereas cities and localities across the country are 
     recognizing September 26 as Mesothelioma Awareness Day: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Mesothelioma Awareness 
     Day; and
       (2) urges the President to issue a proclamation calling on 
     the people of the United States, Federal departments and 
     agencies, States, localities, organizations, and media to 
     annually observe a National Mesothelioma Awareness day with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLAY. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 
legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLAY. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 771, a bill supporting the 
goals and ideals of National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. This 
resolution will raise awareness of this often fatal disease. House Res. 
771 was introduced by our colleague, the gentlewoman from Minnesota, 
Representative Betty McCollum on September 24, 2009. It was referred to 
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform which

[[Page 18152]]

ordered it reported favorably on July 15, 2010. It comes to the floor 
today with the support of over 50 cosponsors.
  Madam Speaker, mesothelioma is a very difficult cancer to detect, 
diagnose, and treat. Though relatively rare, with about 2,000 new cases 
diagnosed each year, those diagnosed with mesothelioma have an expected 
survival time of only 8 to 14 months.
  Exposure to asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A 
history of asbestos exposure in the workplace is reported in 70 to 80 
percent of cases. Asbestos was a common building material before 1975 
and is still found in over 3,000 products that are on the market today. 
An exposure for as little as 1 month may lead to a diagnoses of 
mesothelioma decades later.
  Madam Speaker, mesothelioma is a serious and difficult-to-control 
form of cancer, and there is much work to be done to find new treatment 
options. Let us now show our support for the awareness of the disease 
and need for these treatment options through the passage of House 
Resolution 771. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H. Res. 771, supporting the goals and 
ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. It is a terrible 
disease, form of cancer, debilitating ailment that is terminal. Madam 
Speaker, many all over the world have suffered and died from this 
disease, including a former Member of this body.
  Bruce F. Vento, a Member who I served with for 19 years died of 
mesothelioma in the year 2000. He represented Minnesota's Fourth 
District for 12 terms until his death. I still remember the last time I 
spoke to Mr. Vento. He was in the back rail there close to the 
Democratic Cloakroom.
  So I strongly support and thank the gentleman and gentlelady from 
Minnesota for offering this and urge all Members to support it.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I introduced House Resolution 771 on 
September 24, 2009 to recognize the 3,000 Americans diagnosed with 
Mesothelioma each year and raise awareness about this rare form of 
cancer. After more than a year of work, a coalition of support came 
together to mark September 26, 2010 as the first ever ``National 
Mesothelioma Awareness Day.'' I have to thank 58 of my colleagues--both 
Democrats and Republicans--who co-sponsored this resolution and all the 
advocates for their work.
  Mesothelioma is an asbestos-linked cancer most often found in a 
person's chest, lungs, or abdomen. More than a million Americans are 
exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos while on the job, including 
military personnel, firefighters, and construction workers. In fact, 
workers in our own Capitol complex are suffering from asbestos 
exposure. Many of these individuals are unaware of the risk at the time 
of exposure.
  Despite decades of warnings about the dangers of asbestos, too many 
Americans are still unaware of the devastating nature of this disease. 
Although over 50 countries have banned asbestos, the United States has 
not. It is found in millions of products sold in this country, 
including brake pads, roofing materials, and gaskets.
  The fight against Mesothelioma is a personal issue for me. In 2000, 
my friend and predecessor Congressman Bruce Vento was diagnosed with 
Pleural Mesothelioma. The news was devastating for his family, friends, 
and all of us in Minnesota that knew him. Bruce represented Minnesota's 
Fourth Congressional District from 1977-2000. During his service in 
Congress, he was tireless advocate on behalf of his constituents and a 
national champion for environmental protection and the rights of the 
homeless.
  Awareness is critical for early diagnosis and treatment. ``National 
Mesothelioma Awareness Day'' honors those living with Mesothelioma, 
those that have died from the disease, and their families. House 
Resolution 771 is an important step toward educating the nation about 
the causes of this deadly disease and the need for better treatments 
and additional research.
  I strongly urge all of my colleagues to support passage of this 
bipartisan resolution.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to join me in 
support of this measure.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 771.
  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. CLAY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  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.

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