[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12385]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRATULATING CLARISSA MARTINS

 Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate one of 
Nevada's own, Clarissa Martins. Clarissa is a student at the University 
of Nevada, Reno, who was recently awarded the 2012 Thomas J. Bardos 
Award for her participation in cancer and nutrition research. Presented 
by the American Association of Cancer Research, this prestigious award 
recognizes and encourages young science students to pursue the field of 
cancer research. I am proud to honor Clarissa for her commitment to the 
scientific community in addressing a deadly disease that affects 
thousands of Nevadans each year.
  For UNR senior, Clarissa, the devastating impact of cancer hit home 
when her mother lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in 2009. 
Inspired by her mother, Clarissa began researching the intricacies of 
this fatal disease. She is currently working on a UNR research project 
to determine rates of breast and lung cancer.
  As someone whose family has been touched by cancer, I am humbled by 
Clarissa's efforts to study the second most common cause of death in 
America. Cancer is one of our most pressing health concerns in this 
country. Over 1.6 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed this year, 
and more than half a million Americans will lose their lives to this 
disease. In order for our country to be better prepared to combat this 
devastating disease, we must continue to research and provide better 
oncology care.
  I am proud that such an ambitious student calls Nevada home, and that 
she has remained committed to fighting this deadly disease. I wish 
Clarissa continued success and the best of luck in her future academic 
endeavors. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating her 
on this great accomplishment.

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