    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [December 6, 2001]
    [Pages 1489-1490]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1489]]

    Remarks Announcing the Appointment of Andrew von Eschenbach as the Director of the National Cancer
    Institute
    December 6, 2001

        Thank you all very much, and welcome to the White House. Today our
    Nation is at a war to defend our way of life. But we've been engaged in
    a war to defend our quality of life for many decades. The war on cancer
    has been a top priority of medical and research communities, and it's a
    top priority of this administration.
        As we stand on the brink of amazing breakthroughs in cancer
    research, breakthroughs that will lead to new cancer therapies and
    hopefully to cancer cures, I'm pleased to introduce the man who will
    lead the National Cancer Institute in its war on cancer, Dr. Andrew von
    Eschenbach.
        I want to welcome Andy's family. Thank you all for coming. I want to
    thank my friend Tommy Thompson for doing
    such a fine job as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Another
    member of my Cabinet is here, the Director of Homeland Security,
    Governor Tom Ridge. Thank you for coming, Tom. And
    I've got to recognize my parents' old Congressman, Bill Archer from Houston. Thank you for coming, Bill. Tell them
    hello back home.
        Thirty years ago, this month, President Richard Nixon signed into
    law legislation authorizing the Director of the National Cancer
    Institute to develop an expanded, intensified, and coordinated cancer
    research program. The Cancer Progress Report of 2001 was released
    earlier this week, and it contains good news. We've made substantial
    progress in the war on cancer over the past three decades. Advances in
    science to prevent, detect, and treat cancer have directly contributed
    to an overall reduction in both new cancer cases and cancer death rates.
        The National Cancer Institute has provided the funding and the
    expertise to make money of these advances possible--many of these
    advances possible. The NCI has funded billions of dollars in research,
    exploring hundreds of methods to combat cancer. We know that early
    detection often makes the difference between life and death. So NCI-
    funded scientists are exploring effective methods to detect the first
    signs of cancer. We know that more focused cancer treatments can make
    cancer therapy less painful. So NCI-funded scientists are actively
    investigating drugs that may stop tumor growth by preventing new blood
    vessels from reaching the tumor.
        We still have a long way to go. Despite our victories, each day
    3,400 Americans are diagnosed with some form of cancer, and more than
    1,500 die from the disease. Almost every American family has been
    touched by cancer. But each new discovery brings hope. And the
    Government can bolster that hope by funding vital medical research and
    by attracting talented people to conduct the research.
        Andy von Eschenbach is one of America's finest medical researchers.
    He got his start in the medical field right here in Washington, DC,
    where he attended Georgetown University Medical School. He's been a
    member of the faculty at the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer
    Center in Houston, Texas, since 1977.
        Andy is the director of M.D. Anderson's prostate cancer research
    program. He is a professor of urology, a consulting professor of cancer
    biology, and a surgeon. He understands that basic research is the
    foundation to any success in eliminating cancer and that research
    breakthroughs must be translated into effective treatments for patients.
        Andy also understands personally the importance of our war on
    cancer. He is a two-time cancer survivor, all too familiar with cancer's
    frightening effects. He will bring to his new position not only
    expertise

    [[Page 1490]]

    and talent and dedication but compassion for the millions of cancer
    patients and their families who are struggling with this disease.
        Several principles will guide the National Cancer Institute. The
    Institute will fund and conduct aggressive basic research in order to
    understand the fundamental nature of cancer. NCI researchers and
    clinicians will collaborate with other Federal health agencies to
    translate advances in research into new tools to fight cancer. NCI will
    work cooperatively with other Government agencies and with private
    organizations to expand research opportunities. Researchers and
    practitioners will not only strive to eliminate and cure cancer but to
    help cancer survivors lead richer and fuller lives. And the Institute
    will conduct research to help close the prevention and treatment gap for
    minorities, who are disproportionately affected by cancer.
        Our war against cancer is a war waged on behalf of all Americans of
    every background. We now have technologies and research opportunities
    unthinkable just years ago, which make the defeat of cancer a realistic
    hope. With the right leadership, the dreams of three decades of
    research, and the hopes of every person and every family struggling with
    cancer, we may reach our goal within the new decade. And we've chosen a
    great man to lead the cause.
        Welcome.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:48 p.m. in Presidential Hall in the
    Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The transcript released
    by the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of Dr.
    von Eschenbach.