[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 49 (Monday, December 10, 2001)]
[Pages 1759-1760]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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

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his new position not only expertise 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.