[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8257]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL CANCER RESEARCH MONTH

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the HELP 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 172 and 
the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The bill clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 172) recognizing the importance of 
     cancer research and the contributions made by scientists and 
     clinicians across the United States who are dedicated to 
     finding a cure for cancer, and designating May 2011, as 
     ``National Cancer Research Month.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator 
Cardin be added as a cosponsor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that 
the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or 
debate, and any statements related to the resolution be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 172) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 172

       Whereas in 2011, cancer remains one of the most pressing 
     public health concerns in the United States, with 1,500,000 
     Americans expected to be diagnosed with cancer and more than 
     500,000 expected to die from the disease;
       Whereas the term ``cancer'' refers to more than 200 
     diseases that collectively represent the leading cause of 
     death for Americans under age 85, and the second leading 
     cause of death for Americans overall;
       Whereas the national investment in cancer research has 
     yielded substantial returns in research advances and lives 
     saved, with a scholarly estimate that every 1 percent decline 
     in cancer mortality saves the United States economy 
     $500,000,000,000;
       Whereas advancements in the understanding of the causes, 
     mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer 
     have led to cures for many types of cancers and have 
     converted other types of cancers into manageable chronic 
     conditions;
       Whereas the 5-year survival rate for all cancers has 
     improved during the 30 years prior to the date of approval of 
     this resolution to more than 65 percent, and as of 2011, 
     there are more than 12,000,000 cancer survivors living in the 
     United States;
       Whereas partnerships with research scientists and the 
     general public, survivors and patient advocates, 
     philanthropic organizations, industry, and Federal, State, 
     and local governments have led to advanced breakthroughs, 
     early detection tools that have increased survival rates, and 
     a better quality of life for cancer survivors; and
       Whereas advances in cancer research have had significant 
     implications for the treatment of other costly diseases such 
     as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, HIV/AIDS, 
     and macular degeneration: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the importance of cancer research and the 
     invaluable contributions of the researchers in the United 
     States and worldwide and who are dedicated to reversing the 
     cancer epidemic;
       (2) designates May 2011 as ``National Cancer Research 
     Month''; and
       (3) supports efforts to make cancer research a national and 
     international priority so that one day the more than 200 
     diseases known as cancer are eliminated.

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