[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12536-12537]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN

                                 ______
                                 

                NATIONAL REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP MONTH

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           TEAM USA AND THE 2012 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration en bloc of the following 
resolutions which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 529, S. Res. 
530, and S. Res. 531.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolutions en bloc.
  Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed 
to, the preambles be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon 
the table en bloc with no intervening action or debate, and that any 
statements related to the resolutions be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolutions were agreed to.
  The preambles were agreed to.
  The resolutions, with their preambles, read as follows:

                              S. Res. 529

       Whereas the incidence of prostate cancer in African-
     American men is more than one and a half times higher than in 
     any other racial or ethnic group in the United States;
       Whereas African-American men have the highest mortality 
     rate of any ethnic and racial group in the United States, 
     dying at a rate that is approximately two and a half times 
     higher than other ethnic and racial groups;
       Whereas that rate of mortality represents the largest 
     disparity of mortality rates in any of the major cancers;
       Whereas prostate cancer can be cured with early detection 
     and the proper treatment, regardless of the ethnic or racial 
     group of the cancer patient;
       Whereas African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed 
     at an earlier age and at a later stage of cancer progression 
     than all other ethnic and racial groups, leading to lower 
     cure rates and lower chances of survival;
       Whereas, for patients diagnosed early, studies show a 5-
     year survival rate of nearly 100 percent, but the survival 
     rate drops significantly to 28 percent for patients diagnosed 
     in late stages; and
       Whereas recent genomics research has increased the ability 
     to identify men at high risk for aggressive prostate cancer: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes that prostate cancer has created a health 
     crisis for African-American men;
       (2) recognizes the importance of health coverage and access 
     to care, as well as promoting informed decisionmaking between 
     men and their doctors, taking into consideration the known 
     risks and potential benefits of screening and treatment 
     options for prostate cancer;
       (3) urges Federal agencies to support--
       (A) research to address and attempt to end the health 
     crisis created by prostate cancer;
       (B) efforts relating to education, awareness, and early 
     detection at the grassroots level to end that health crisis; 
     and
       (C) the Office of Minority Health of the Department of 
     Health and Human Services in focusing on improving health and 
     healthcare outcomes for African Americans at an elevated risk 
     of prostate cancer; and
       (4) urges investment by Federal agencies in research 
     focusing on the improvement of early detection and treatment 
     of prostate cancer, such as the use of--
       (A) biomarkers to accurately distinguish indolent forms of 
     prostate cancer from lethal forms; and
       (B) advanced imaging tools to ensure the best level of 
     individualized patient care.

                              S. Res. 530

       Whereas 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of the enactment of 
     the Act of August 16, 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (commonly 
     known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act''), which 
     established the national registered apprenticeship system;
       Whereas the State of Wisconsin created the first State 
     registered apprenticeship system in 1911;
       Whereas the Act of August 16, 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) 
     (commonly known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act'') 
     established a comprehensive system of partnerships among 
     employers, labor organizations, educational institutions, and 
     Federal and State governments, which has shaped skill 
     training for succeeding generations of United States workers;
       Whereas for 75 years, the national registered 
     apprenticeship system has provided state of the art training 
     using an model known as ``earn while you learn'' that offers 
     a pathway to the middle class and a sustainable career for 
     millions of workers in the United States;
       Whereas the national registered apprenticeship system has 
     grown to include approximately 24,000 programs across the 
     United States, providing education and training for 
     apprentices in emerging and high-growth sectors, such as 
     information technology and health care, as well as in 
     traditional industries;
       Whereas the national registered apprenticeship system 
     leverages approximately $1,000,000,000 in private investment, 
     reflecting the strong commitment of the sponsors of the 
     system, which include industry associations, individual 
     employers, and labor-management partnerships;
       Whereas the national registered apprenticeship system is an 
     important post-secondary pathway for United States workers, 
     offering a combination of academic and technical instruction 
     with paid, on-the-job training, resulting in a nationally and 
     industry-recognized occupational credential that ensures 
     higher earnings for apprentices and a highly skilled 
     workforce for United States businesses;
       Whereas the national registered apprenticeship system has 
     continually modernized and developed innovative training 
     approaches to meet the workforce needs of industry and 
     address the evolving challenges of staying competitive in the 
     global economy;
       Whereas the national registered apprenticeship system of 
     the 21st century, as envisioned by the Advisory Committee on 
     Apprenticeship of the Secretary of Labor and administered as 
     a partnership between the Federal Government and State 
     apprenticeship programs, is positioned to produce the highly 
     skilled workers the United States economy needs now and in 
     the future; and
       Whereas the celebration of National Registered 
     Apprenticeship Month--
       (1) honors the industries that use the registered 
     apprenticeship model;
       (2) encourages other industries that could benefit from the 
     registered apprenticeship model to train United States 
     workers using the model; and
       (3) recognizes the role the national registered 
     apprenticeship system has played in preparing United States 
     workers for jobs with family-sustaining wages: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates August 2012, as ``National Registered 
     Apprenticeship Month'';
       (2) celebrates the 101st anniversary of the enactment of 
     the first State registered apprenticeship law; and
       (3) celebrates the 75th anniversary of the enactment of the 
     Act of August 16, 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (commonly known 
     as the ``National Apprenticeship Act'').

[[Page 12537]]



                              S. Res. 531

       Whereas, for over 100 years, the Olympic Movement has built 
     a more peaceful and better world by educating young people 
     through amateur athletics, bringing together athletes from 
     many countries in friendly competition, and forging new 
     relationships bound by friendship, solidarity, and fair play;
       Whereas the 2012 Olympic Games will take place in London, 
     England from July 27, 2012 to August 12, 2012, and the 2012 
     Paralympic Games will take place from August 29, 2012 to 
     September 9, 2012;
       Whereas, at the 2012 Olympic Games, over 200 nations will 
     compete in over 300 events, and Team USA will compete in 246 
     events;
       Whereas, at the 2012 Olympic Games, over 200 nations will 
     compete in 39 disciplines, and Team USA will compete in 38 of 
     those disciplines;
       Whereas 529 Olympians and over 245 Paralympians will 
     compete on behalf of Team USA in London, England;
       Whereas Team USA has won 934 gold medals, 730 silver 
     medals, and 643 bronze medals, totaling 2,307 medals over the 
     past 25 Olympic Games;
       Whereas the people of the United States stand united in 
     respect and admiration for the members of the United States 
     Olympic and Paralympic teams, and the athletic 
     accomplishments, sportsmanship, and dedication to excellence 
     of the teams;
       Whereas the many accomplishments of the United States 
     Olympic and Paralympic teams would not have been possible 
     without the hard work and dedication of many others, 
     including the United States Olympic Committee and the many 
     administrators, coaches, and family members who provided 
     critical support to the athletes;
       Whereas the Nation takes great pride in the qualities of 
     commitment to excellence, grace under pressure, and good will 
     toward other competitors exhibited by the athletes of Team 
     USA; and
       Whereas the Olympic Movement celebrates competition, fair 
     play, and the pursuit of dreams: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) applauds all of the athletes and coaches of Team USA 
     and their families who support them;
       (2) supports the athletes of Team USA in their endeavors at 
     the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games held in London, 
     England;
       (3) thanks all of the members of the United States Olympics 
     Committee for their unwavering support of the athletes of 
     Team USA; and
       (4) supports the goals and ideals of the Olympic Games.

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