Supporting the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 211, commemorating World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2007.

The search for a cure for diabetes is a cause close to my heart. Both my parents were afflicted with the disease, which now strikes 246 million people worldwide. Without early screening, prevention and awareness, this number is expected to rise to 380 million by 2025. In the United States, diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death. Across the world, diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death, with 80 percent of diabetes cases now being found in the developing world. The case for diabetes awareness is so compelling that President Bush recently declared November 2007 to be National Diabetes Month. I would like to add his recent remarks on the subject to the Record.

It is clear that action must be taken to slow the pace of what can only be described as an epidemic of diabetes. This year, the theme of the World Diabetes Day Campaign focuses on raising awareness of diabetes in children and adolescents. More than 200 children get diabetes every day, making it one of those most chronic diseases of childhood. Additionally, this demographic faces unique challenges when diagnosed with diabetes, as the disease can interfere with the normal developmental tasks of childhood and adolescence, which include succeeding in school and transitioning to adulthood. Through raising awareness, the World Diabetes Day Campaign focuses on improving early screening to catch early incidences of diabetes in children and promoting healthy lifestyles to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

I am proud to lend my support to H. Con. Res. 211. Together we can limit the incidence of this debilitating disease by spreading the message of awareness, treatment and prevention. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

National Diabetes Month, 2007--A Proclamation by the President of the

United States of America

Diabetes is a debilitating disease that affects millions of

Americans of all ages and all walks of life. National

Diabetes Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about

risk factors, prevention, and treatment of this serious

disease.

Diabetes is a chronic illness that leaves the body unable

to produce or properly use insulin to maintain healthy blood

glucose levels. The two most common forms of the disease that

affect our citizens are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1

diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes, is usually

diagnosed in children and young adults who are unable to

produce insulin and require daily medication. Type 2

diabetes, the most common form of the disease, is often

attributed to lifestyle risk factors and can be controlled by

a modified diet, regular physical activity, and medication.

Americans can take steps to control the disease and lower the

risk of complications such as heart disease, stroke, and

kidney disease by maintaining healthy eating and exercise

habits, and consulting with a doctor about diabetes testing.

My Administration is committed to providing better care for

people living with diabetes and furthering efforts to find a

cure. We have supported research initiatives and education

programs that encourage healthy living, and we have also

modified Medicare coverage to include diabetes screenings.

This year, the National Institutes of Health estimates that

more than $1 billion will be spent on diabetes research. By

working together, we can help identify problems early, manage

them before they grow worse, and help ensure more Americans

live longer, healthier lives.

Throughout National Diabetes Month, we recognize the

medical professionals, scientists, researchers, and all those

whose efforts have made a positive difference in the fight

against diabetes. By raising public awareness, we can help

combat the effects of diabetes in our society and bring hope

to children and families living with this disease.

Now, therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United

States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by

the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby

proclaim November 2007 as National Diabetes Month. I call

upon all Americans to learn more about the risk factors and

symptoms associated with diabetes and to observe this month

with appropriate programs and activities.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this

thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two

thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States

of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to offer House Concurrent Resolution 211, pronouncing that Congress supports the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day.

Let me thank Representative Manzullo, who was a prime cosponsor of this legislation, and other Members, for cosponsoring this bipartisan resolution.

This global health awareness campaign established in 1991 by the World Health Organization and International Diabetes Federation is celebrated annually on November 14. This marks the birthday of Dr. Frederick Grant Banting, a Canadian medical scientist, Nobel laureate, and co-discoverer of insulin. And now, it is an official United Nations recognized day.

World Diabetes Day aims to coordinate diabetes advocacy worldwide. In almost every country of the world, the incidence of diabetes is on the rise. Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of global death by disease. In the United States, it is the sixth leading cause of death including accidents, but of deaths by disease it climbs to number five.

The economic burden on both developed and developing countries due to a dramatic increase in the prevalence of diabetes was analyzed in a new report from the Economist Intelligence Unit. Diabetes currently affects 246 million people worldwide and is expected to affect 380 million people by 2025. In 2007, the five countries with the largest number of people with diabetes are India, China, the United States, Russia, and Germany. Worse, each year 3.8 million deaths are attributed to diabetes. An even greater number die from complications, renal failure, vascular loss. Soberly, every 10 seconds, two people develop diabetes and a person dies from diabetes-related causes.

On December 20, 2006, the General Assembly of the United Nations passed landmark Resolution 61-225, recognizing diabetes as a chronic, debilitating, and costly disease. This is the first year, therefore, that the World Diabetes Day has risen to such prominence, and it is fitting that here in the United States Congress we support it this day.

Mr. Speaker, World Diabetes Day has annually focused on a particular aspect or complication of diabetes, the heart, the eyes, the kidneys, and feet. I am especially pleased that this year the World Diabetes Day's theme focuses on raising awareness of diabetes in children and adolescents who face unique challenges when diagnosed with diabetes. The campaign aimed to firmly establish the message that no child should die from diabetes.

As a senior member of the Committee on Education and Labor and Foreign Affairs, as a delegate to the United Nations since 2003 and 2005, I see this year's theme as a perfect synergy of a global health and childhood issue, with importance to the United Nations.

So as we speak here, November 1 in Bermuda, 246 people dressed in U.N. blue t-shirts to represent the 246 million people in the world with diabetes. They stood up. Tomorrow in Lagos, Nigeria, there will be a walk starting at Maryland and ending at Lagos State University, where there will be young people asking folks to have their blood sugar level checked. In Australia, from November 11 to November 20, there are children-centered activities from a Switch-Off Turn On to Play Pledge that will once again highlight this.

And so, as I conclude, while commemorating World Diabetes Day, of course I can look no further than my own congressional district of New Jersey to find shining examples of the dedication to diabetes in the area of education in St. Barnabas Hospital and Newark Beth Israel are all leaders, and we hope that everyone will join in this.

I urge my colleagues to vote for passage of House Concurrent Resolution 211, supporting the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day.

Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to bring greater awareness to World Diabetes Day.

As my colleague said, 225,000 people per year die in the United States alone from diabetes. But I believe that, as we recognize this day, we have to recognize that diabetes doesn't just kill; diabetes debilitates. It causes blindness. It takes away all or part of limbs. It slows people down in their day-to-day ability to enjoy life. One of the great inventors of our time invented the insulin pump, which allowed people to not have to periodically stop to take medicine, but it didn't change the debilitating effect that artificially-given insulin causes.

We do not have a cure for diabetes today. We need to continue working toward that, as many of our pharmaceutical companies are. So bringing awareness to this is just a first step in making sure that the United States, Europe, and the other developed nations work hard to find real cures for this dreadful disease.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge passage of H. Con. Res. 211, which supports the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day.

Mr. Speaker, diabetes is among the most lethal diseases known to man. It kills about 225,000 people per year in the United States alone-- fifth among disease-related deaths and roughly equal to the population of New Orleans or Madison, WI.

And it's generally believed to be significantly under-reported on death certificates, especially among the old--who may endure multiple chronic conditions, many caused by diabetes.

Because, as anyone who has diabetes knows all too well, when you have diabetes, you don't just have diabetes. The disease leads to increased risk of a number of seriously, sometimes life-threatening complications.

These include--but certainly aren't limited to--heart disease and stroke, blindness, high blood pressure, kidney disease, nervous-system disease, dental disease, even pregnancy complications.

Strokes and heart disease are two to four times more likely for those with diabetes than those without, and diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness cases in the United States.

Most of these associated health problems can be avoided with good diabetes control, but many people don't realize they have diabetes until it has caused one of these other diseases. Indeed, of the 21 million people in the United States who have diabetes, nearly a third don't yet know it. Those who do spend about one in every 10 dollars we spend on health care in this country.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud efforts such as World Diabetes Day that call attention to the problems this disease causes and the need for further research and outreach.

We need to do what we can to solve this mystery and slow this killer--both to alleviate the pain, suffering and expense of our fellow citizens afflicted by the disease and for our own economic benefit.

Experts say diabetes costs the U.S. economy $132 billion per year. That's what we spend on telecom in a year. It's the total Gross Domestic Product of Singapore and matches, roughly, what the country spends on all research and development in a year.

Mr. Speaker, I know people who suffer from diabetes. So does everyone in this House. Approving a resolution does not do much to alleviate that suffering. But today, it is what we have the opportunity to do. Let us do it.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, today I was pleased to introduce a Senate resolution recognizing November 14 as World Diabetes Day. I am also pleased to be joined by my colleagues, Senators Pete Domenici and Frank Lautenberg. Established in 1991 by the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Federation, this day has been recognized annually as World Diabetes Day.

Through World Diabetes Day, advocates worldwide can coordinate diabetes awareness activities and create a sense of urgency about this devastating disease. In almost every nation, diabetes is on the rise. In the United States, diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death by disease. Globally, diabetes is fourth.

Diabetes currently affects 246 million people worldwide and is projected to affect 380 million by 2025. Last year, the United Nations passed landmark Resolution 61/225 recognizing diabetes as a chronic, debilitating, and costly disease.

Each year, over 3.7 million people die due to diabetes. An even greater number die from cardiovascular disease exacerbated by diabetes- related lipid disorders. Every 10 seconds, two people develop diabetes and one person dies from diabetes-related causes.

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing in Michigan--from 5.3 percent to 7.9 percent over the past 10 years. There are 1.3 million Michiganians who have diabetes or are prediabetic. Michigan has the seventh highest rate of diabetes in the Nation, and diabetes costs our State's economy $6 billion a year in health costs and lost productivity. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in Michigan and the fourth leading cause of death among African-American females in Michigan.

This year, the World Diabetes Day campaign will focus on the message that no child should die of diabetes.'' I take this goal very seriously. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I am committed to ensuring our children have healthy options in their school meals. And I am working with Senator Domenici on reauthorizing the Special Diabetes Program.

We can no longer ignore the growing incidence of diabetes. Instead, let us draw worldwide attention to prevention, access, and treatment.

Finally, I am pleased to have letters of support from diabetes advocacy organizations. I ask unanimous consent that they be printed in the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 211) supporting the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

It is my pleasure to yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne).

(Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in supporting the promotion of awareness about diabetes and all of its complications and commend Mr. Payne for his introduction of this resolution.

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H. Con. Res. 211, a bill that supports the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day.

H. Con. Res. 211, which has 54 cosponsors, was introduced by Rep. Donald Payne on September 17, 2007.

H. Con. Res. 211 was reported from the Oversight Committee on November 8, 2007, by voice vote.

Mr. Speaker, diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Hyperglycemia, which is known as raised blood sugar, over time can lead to serious damage to many parts of the body, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

In 1991, the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Federation established World Diabetes Day. World Diabetes Day is celebrated on November 14th. This day was designated to promote the awareness that every person with diabetes or the risk of acquiring diabetes should receive the best possible education, prevention and care available.

Currently, more than 240 million people in the world are living with diabetes. Some analysts believed this number will grow to 340 million within 20 years.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Payne for seeking to support the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day and urge the swift passage of this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.