Recognizing the importance of sun safety, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 169) recognizing the importance of sun safety, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 169.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, today the House is considering H. Res. 169, a resolution that I have introduced with the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Eshoo), our colleague, to encourage sun safety. I want to thank the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Bono), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene Green), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Boucher), and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey), who also have cosponsored this resolution.

H. Res. 169 is a straightforward resolution which encourages all Americans to protect themselves and their children from the dangers of excessive sun exposure. Most of us, especially those of us from the Sunshine State, enjoy the outdoors, though too few of us protect ourselves and our children from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays when engaged in outdoor activities.

Skin cancer, Madam Speaker, is the fastest-growing cancer in our country today. One in five Americans will get some form of skin cancer during their lifetimes. More than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, accounting for nearly half of all new cancer cases and exceeding the combined number of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers that will be diagnosed in the coming year.

Many people are surprised to learn that most of us receive nearly 80 percent of our lifetime sun exposure by age 18, exposure which sets the stage for cancer later in life; and I would like to repeat that, Madam Speaker. Many people are surprised to learn that most of us receive nearly 80 percent of our lifetime sun exposure by age 18, exposure which sets the stage for cancer later in life. Therefore, it is critically important that we teach our children that sunburns are more than just the painful remnants of staying in the sun too long. They are potential killers that can cut short promising lives.

The good news is that skin cancer is highly preventable by practicing good sun safety. Good sun safety means using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing and limiting sun exposure, especially during the hottest times when the sun's rays are at their most dangerous. Failing to do so, as we have

heard, can have serious and deadly consequences, especially for children.

I hope and believe that passage of this resolution will raise awareness about sun safety, encourage people to protect themselves and their children from excessive sun exposure, help reduce health care costs and save lives.

I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton), the Committee on Energy and Commerce chairman, and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal), the Subcommittee on Health chairman, for moving this resolution expeditiously through our committee and to the House floor. I certainly want to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), ranking member of the full committee, and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), the Subcommittee on Health's ranking member, for their support of this measure. I encourage all of our colleagues to join us in approving this simple but important resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, kill, or however else we may want to look at it.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) supporting this legislation. We worked together for a number of years when I chaired that particular subcommittee; and there were times when we disagreed, but I enjoyed working with the gentleman. I appreciate the gentleman always being helpful and courteous and open-minded most of the time, not always open-minded, but most of the time. I appreciate the gentleman supporting this legislation.

Madam Speaker, we have a lot of legislation on this floor, I suppose some Members would say much more impacting than this legislation is. Certainly a lot more high profile, if you will, and that sort of thing. But, honestly, as the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) agreed with me, what this can do to our children and grandchildren. My daughter-in-law has four sons, and she takes my four grandchildren to the beach a lot. They like the beach, and I caution them and remind her about the fact that 80 percent of these skin cancers are really developed before one reaches age 18 and the potential hazards of sun exposure.

It is critical that the American people will be listening to us through this legislation, if you will, on the significance of being just as careful as we possibly can be regarding this disease. I have had two or three skin cancers, if you will, taken off my face over the years. I suppose many of us have. It is critical that we remember that and we educate the American people on this particular issue.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) who is usually much more verbose in subcommittee than here today. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support for H. Res. 169, which recognizes the importance of sun safety and encourages all of us to protect ourselves and our children from the dangers of excessive sun exposure.

As kids growing up in Hawaii, many of our best memories are tied to our world-renowned oceans and beaches and other outdoor environments: from catching waves to having pot-luck dinners or enjoying concerts or hiking. Given what we now know about the dangers of overexposure to ultraviolet radiation and its link to skin cancer, I believe that it is imperative that we stress sun safety as we continue to enjoy these outdoor activities with our families and friends.

I have included an op-ed from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, written by my wife, Audrey, also a Hawaii native, which details the importance of early detection of preventable skin cancers--specifically skin cancers. Her thoughts say what we all need to know.

Mahalo (thank you) for this opportunity to express support for H. Res. 169.

[From the Honolulu Star Bulletin, May 23, 2005]

Protect Your Skin Early and Often With Sunscreen

(By Audrey Case)

Hawaii is a special place, where we spend time with family

and friends or just by ourselves enjoying wonderful outdoor

activities so much a part of our islands and culture.

My earliest childhood memories are of Sundays after my dad,

an Episcopal minister, and my mom were pau with their duties

and would take all five of us kids to the beach for a swim

and a picnic dinner. We'd all come home sunburned and happily

tired. And my teen years with my friends were beach years as

well.

We know so much more now about the sun's power than we did

even a decade ago. We know, for example, that the sunburns of

our childhood can lead to the skin cancer of

our adulthood. We also know that all ethnicities can be

affected by skin cancer, not just fair-skinned people like my

husband Ed! Our family has seen some brushes with skin cancer

and gets checked by a doctor regularly, including Ed and me.

May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month.

As a member of Congressional Families Action for Cancer

Awareness, I have joined with the spouses of other members of

the U.S. House of Representatives to spread the message of

early detection of preventable cancers--specifically skin

cancers.

Today, skin cancer is the most common and fastest-growing

form of cancer in the United States, affecting more than 1

million people each year. One person dies every hour from

melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease. The American

Cancer Society estimates that in Hawaii there will be 150 new

cases of melanoma of the skin this year. And, the fact is,

many of these cancers could be prevented.

Of course, we know now that we should protect our skin by

using sunscreen--SPF 15 or higher--and wearing protective

clothing. Don't forget your hat, lip protection and

sunglasses! And, we need to protect our skin in all weather--

not just the summer.

Perhaps our greatest opportunity for changing skin cancer

statistics rests with our children. Although most skin

cancers are diagnosed when people are older than 50, the

damage that causes skin cancer is done at an early age. Just

one blistering sunburn can double a child's lifetime risk of

developing skin cancer. If you are a parent, grandparent,

aunt, uncle, caregiver or friend, make sure the kids in your

life are protected.

Help your teenagers understand the dangers of tanning beds,

which are at least as dangerous as the sun, and some studies

suggest they are more damaging. There are safer

alternatives--such as sunless tanning products and bronzers--

if your teen insists on being tanned for prom night.

Encourage your children's schools, health teachers and

school nurses to allow students to apply sunscreen before

recess. Encourage sports programs and coaches to have kids

apply sunscreen before practice and games.

Examine your skin and your loved ones' skin monthly. Look

for: brown or black irregularly pigmented spots with uneven

margins; a slow-growing, raised, translucent, pearly nodule

that may crust, ulcerate or bleed; a change in sensation,

itchiness, tenderness or pain from a mole; a small, smooth,

shiny, pale or waxy lump on the skin; and any new mole.

And remember the ABCD rule: Asymmetry, Border irregularly,

Color that is not uniform and Diameter greater than 6

millimeters--about the size of a pencil eraser.

If you discover a suspicious growth while conducting your

monthly self-examination, have it checked by your doctor.

Because your risk of developing skin cancer increases as you

age, annual clinical exams are even more important after you

reach age 50.

So by all means enjoy the sun and outdoors, but have a

healthy regard for the sun's strength and protect yourself

and those you love. Sun safety should not be neglected by

anyone. If we all take responsibility for ourselves and our

children, we can change skin cancer from being the fastest-

growing cancer to one that is rare in future generations.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), my friend from the Sunshine State, and encourage people to travel to my State more often perhaps.

As we head into summer months, it is crucial that Americans be aware of the risks involved in seemingly everyday activities: a day at the beach, a jog in the park, an afternoon out working in the yard.

Overexposure to the sun's dangerous ultraviolet rays is a major risk and, largely because of increasing ozone depletion brought on in part by global warming, a bigger threat than ever to the public health. Every year in the United States there are nearly 60,000 new cases of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. Nearly 8,000 die every year from this disease.

When it comes to risk factors for skin cancer, and I quote from the American Cancer Society's list, ``unprotected and/or excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation'' is at the top of that list. The sun's UV rays have been officially classified as a carcinogen by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Yet a national survey released yesterday shows that the number of people using sunscreen declined by over 10 percent last year even as skin cancer diagnoses continue to rise. In light of these troubling statistics, I am happy to support this resolution introduced by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Eshoo). The resolution supports outreach and education efforts like National Sun Safety Week and the groups like the Sun Safety Alliance which work to keep the public informed of the risks of UV exposure.

Sun Safety Alliance teams up health care professionals, educators, and corporate partners to focus on conveying this risk. When it comes to something as basic as being out in the sun, effective public awareness strategies are critical. One of the alliance's priorities is outreach to the youngest Americans. Children are at the highest risk of overexposure to UV rays. Most people receive some 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure before their 18th birthday. It is essential that we shape and reinforce the right habits early.

Madam Speaker, this resolution is an important step toward stopping an entirely preventable killer. Thousands of lives can be saved with the right understanding of what that prevention entails. I am pleased to support my colleagues and this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) for the good years when we were colleagues on the Subcommittee on Health when he was the chairman and I was the ranking member and the good work we were able to do on most days.

This resolution, as the gentleman points out, is not as important as some things. I would like to go a little further and talk about what all of this means in terms of global warming and some issues like that. I understand today is not the day to do that on this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of H. Res. 196, which encourages the importance of sun safety and supports the designation of June 5th to June 11th as Sun Safety Week.

Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in the U.S. and 90 percent of all skin cancers can be attributed to the sun. This year it's estimated that there will be 1.3 million skin cancer cases in the U.S., exceeding the number of breast, lung, prostate and colon cancers combined.

More alarming is that 50 percent of lifetime exposure to UV light occurs during childhood and adolescence, and it can take less than 1O minutes for a child's skin to burn. Failing to take appropriate steps such as using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure can have serious and deadly consequences, especially for children. Practicing sun safe behaviors during childhood is the first step in reducing the chances of getting skin cancer later in life.

A new survey released on Monday by the nonprofit Sun Safety Alliance shows a 12-point decline in the percentage of Americans who report using sunscreen when outdoors, from 72 percent to 60 percent.

H. Res. 169 recognizes that skin cancer is highly preventable and urges parents to practice good sun safety for their children, which will dramatically reduce its risk.

I urge the entire House to vote yes on this important Resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 169, ``Recognizing the importance of sun safety.'' As incidences of skin cancer continue to rise, now affecting one out of every five people in the United States, sun safety is increasingly important to keeping Americans healthy.

I would like to applaud the Sun Safety Alliance for its efforts to enhance national awareness of the importance of sun safety and the need for early childhood protection. I support the efforts by the Sun Safety Alliance to motivate the public to take necessary and appropriate actions to protect themselves and members of their family, especially young children from the dangers of developing skin cancer from over exposure to the sun's UV radiation.

I hope that the designation of the week of June 5-11, 2005, to National Sun Safety Week will remind Americans of the dangers of over exposure to the sun and to encourage safe sun practice. Skin cancer can be a preventable disease if sun safety precautions are followed.