Supporting the observance of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and for other purposes.

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

Madam Speaker, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer. It's the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States; clearly a major player in our cancer burden here in this country. Every 3\1/2\ minutes someone is diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Every 9

minutes someone dies from colorectal cancer.

This is a disease that affects men and women equally. This year, almost 150,000 new cases will be diagnosed, and almost 50,000 deaths will be caused by colorectal cancer. The real tragedy is that many of these cancer cases and deaths do not have to happen. The vast majority of colorectal cancer deaths can be prevented through proper screening and early detection. This resolution recognizes March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

My good friend from Maryland talked about disparities; indeed, disparities do occur. And one of the things we can do to diminish those disparities is to talk. We can talk more about this disease. And the more we encourage our family and friends, our neighbors to get screened, the more lives we can, in fact, save.

But recognizing Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is not enough. We do need to increase Federal funding for early detection and screening. So, along with Congressman Wynn, Representative Granger has introduced a bill that would authorize funding for early detection screenings and make preventive care a priority. Specifically, the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act, H.R. 738, would establish a national screening program for colorectal cancer for individuals over 50 years of age and/or who are at high risk. It would also authorize State funding for these screenings, and it would create a public awareness and education campaign for colorectal cancer.

Despite scientific evidence supporting the benefits of screenings, screenings remain low for this disease in the United States, and every 5 seconds someone who should be screened is not. When colorectal cancer is diagnosed late, the survival rate for cancer is only 10 percent, but if it's diagnosed early, before spread has occurred, the survival rate is in excess of 90 percent. Early detection and screening saves lives.

If everyone over 50 years of age were screened regularly for colon cancer, the death rate for this disease could plummet by 80 percent. In addition to saving lives, early detection and screening clearly would save money.

Treatment costs for colon cancer are extremely high and could be greatly reduced if mass screenings occurred. Colon cancer treatment costs totaled roughly $8.5 billion for new cases in 2007. Let me say that again, almost $8.5 billion for 2007. The costs of two-thirds of these cancer cases are borne by the Medicare program.

The Lewin Group recently conducted a comprehensive study of the potential cost savings to Medicare and found that every 10 years a colon cancer screening program will result in a savings of about 1\1/2\ years worth of Medicare expenditures. If screenings were increased among people 50 years of age and older in the United States, it would save billions of dollars in Medicare expenditures, not to mention the thousands of lives that would be spared.

The Colon Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act ensures that people who are screened will get the full continuum of cancer care, including the appropriate follow-up for abnormal tests, diagnostic and therapeutic services, and treatment for detected cancers.

Observing Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month provides us with the opportunity to discuss the importance of early detection and of screening. It also provides us the opportunity to thank the thousands of volunteers and the national and community organizations for their work in promoting awareness of this disease. Groups like the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the National Colorectal Cancer Society Roundtable, the American Cancer Society, the Colon Cancer Alliance, and C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition, these groups have created the ``Earn a Blue Star Day'' as a way for individuals and corporations to raise awareness of the importance of screening for this cancer.

I encourage my colleagues in the House to ``earn a blue star'' by using this opportunity to promote awareness of colon cancer and to support early detection and screening.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, at this time I will reserve my time.

Madam Speaker, I will yield myself 1 minute for the purpose of closing.

This is an important bill and I do encourage my colleagues to support this bill. Have the test, find the polyp, get the cure. It's really that simple.

One of the problems with serving in Congress is you recognize that we move so slowly on so many things. Madam Speaker, there are going to be new medicines, new tests. We're on the threshold of great things in all areas of medicine. The study of colon cancer is no small part of that.

But the reality is today there is a test, there is a test that can be easily done. A cure is just around the corner for someone who might suffer from this disease.

So I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. I thank my friend from Maryland for bringing it forward, and I'll yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, during the week of February 25-29, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rollcall votes 69-87.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 69, H. Res. 978, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 70, H. Res. 930, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 71, H. Res. 944, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 74, H. Res. 974, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 75, H.R. 3521 the Sires of New Jersey Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 76, H.R. 3521 the Meek of Florida Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 81, H. Res. 1001, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 83, H.R. 5351 on Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 84, H.R. 5351, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 85, S. 2272, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 86, H.R. 4454, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 87, H.R. 4454.

Madam Speaker, during the week of March 3-7, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rollcall votes 88-106.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 88, H.R. 1143, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 89, H.R. 1311, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 90, H.R. 816, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 91, H.R. 4191, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 92, H. Con. Res. 278, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 93, H. Res. 951, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 96, H. Res. 1014, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 97, H.R. 4774, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 98, H. Con. Res. 286, ``nay'' on rolicall vote 100, H.R. 1424 the Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 101, H.R. 1424, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 102, H.R. 5400, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 104, H. Res. 1015, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 105, H.R. 2857 the Flake of Arizona Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 106, H.R. 2857 the Inslee of Washington Amendment.

Madam Speaker, during the week of March 10-14, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rollcall votes 108-145.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 108, H. Res. 537, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 109, H.R. 3196, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 110, H.R. 4166, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 115, H. Res. 924, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 116, Motion, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 117, H.R. 2082, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 118, H. Res. 948, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 119, H. Res. 493, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 122, H. Res. 1031, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 130, H. Res. 1036, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 131, H.R. 5563, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 132, H. Con. Res. 316, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 133, H. Res. 936, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 134, S. 2733, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 137, H. Con. Res. 312 Kilpatrick of Michigan Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 138, H. Con. Res. 312 Lee of California Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 140, H. Con. Res. 312 Ryan of Wisconsin Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 141, H. Con. Res. 312, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 142, H. Res. 991, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 143, H. Res. 1041 On Ordering the Previous Question, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 144, H. Res. 1041 On Agreeing to the Resolution, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 145, H.R. 3773.

Madam Speaker, during the week of March 31-April 4, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rolicall votes 147-160.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 147, H.R. 3352, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 148, H.R. 2675, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 149, H. Con. Res. 302, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 150, H. Con. Res. 310, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 151, H. Res. 1005, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 152, H. Res. 1021, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 154, H. Res. 1065 On Ordering the Previous Question, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 155, H. Res. 1065 On Agreeing to the Resolution, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 156, H.R. 5501 Carson of Indiana Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 157, H.R. 5501 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 158, H.R. 5501 On Passage, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 159, H.R. 4847 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 160, H.R. 4847 On Passage.

Madam Speaker, during the week of April 7-11, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rollcall votes 161-182.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 161, H.J. Res. 70, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 162, H.R. 2464, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 163, S. 793, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 164, H. Res. 1084 On Ordering the Previous Question, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 165, H. Res.

1084 On Agreeing to the Resolution, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 166, H. Res. 1077, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 167, H.R. 2016 the Grijalva of Arizona Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 168, H.R. 2016 the Bishop of Utah Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 169, H.R. 2016 the Bishop of Utah Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 170, H.R. 2016 the Bishop of Utah Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 171, H.R. 2016 the Altmire of Pennsylvania Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 172, H.R. 2016 the Pearce of New Mexico Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 173, H.R. 2016 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 174, H.R. 2016 On Passage, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 175, H.R. 2419, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 176, H.R. 5489, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 177, H.R. 5472, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 179, H. Res. 1083, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 180, H. Res. 1038, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 181, H. Res. 1092, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 182, H.R. 2537 the Flake of Arizona Amendment.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 302) supporting the observance of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

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

I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 302. This bill does three things: First, it calls for the designation of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Second, it recognizes national and community organizations for their work in promoting the importance of prevention and early detection through regular colorectal screenings. Third, it urges organizations and health practitioners to ``earn a Blue Star'' by using this opportunity to increase awareness about colorectal cancer. And I will talk more about the blue star in just a minute.

But first let me note that colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer and the second most deadly. Approximately 148,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, and 49,000 will die from the disease.

Every 3 minutes a loved one is diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Every 9 minutes a loved one dies from the disease. Every 5 seconds a loved one who should be screened for colorectal cancer is not.

Colorectal cancer is a silent killer which often causes no symptoms until it reaches the latest stages. Colorectal screenings save lives by catching the disease in its earlier stages. If detected at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is 90 percent. If it is not detected until the later stage, the 5-year survival rate plummets to just 10 percent.

This tragedy disproportionately affects minorities, particularly African Americans, who are less likely to have access to health insurance or see a doctor on a regular basis. As a result, African Americans are diagnosed later and are 40 percent more likely to die from the disease. In 2007, 1,600 cases of colorectal cancer occurred among African Americans.

Hoping to repeat the success of the red ribbon in symbolizing AIDS and the pink ribbon in symbolizing breast cancer, the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable has selected a blue star to symbolize the fight against colorectal cancer. The star serves a dual purpose; it recognizes the eternal memory of those people whose lives have already been lost to the disease, and it is a shining hope for a future free of colon cancer.

This resolution recognizes the important work that national and community organizations have already done in promoting awareness about colorectal cancer, including the creation of Earn a Blue Star day.

Additionally, the resolution encourages organizations and health care practitioners to earn a blue star by supporting early identification and removal of precancerous polyps.

Recognizing March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month provides us a special opportunity to focus on education about screening and early detection. As we continue to work to find a cure for colorectal cancer, it is vital that we work together to increase awareness about screening in order to prevent the disease from reaching its deadly conclusion.

Before I conclude, I want to thank my colleagues, Representative Kay Granger and Representative Patrick Kennedy, for their leadership on this issue. Although Representative Granger could not be here today, I know that she cares very deeply about this issue and has worked hard to bring this resolution to the floor.

I now want to urge my colleagues to join me in support of the adoption of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

Madam Speaker, at this time I recognize the distinguished gentlelady from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) for 2 minutes.

The gentlelady is granted an additional 30 seconds.

Madam Speaker, I'd just like to take a moment to thank Dr. Burgess for his support of this legislation. He expounded on it quite well, and we appreciate his support. Also Ms. Granger, who I indicated could not be here.

I particularly want to thank my colleagues on the Democratic side of the aisle, Ms. Schakowsky, who obviously has a tremendous personal story to tell in support of this legislation, and also Mr. Kennedy, with whom I've worked with, and has had a tremendous passion in support of this measure.

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

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Maryland for his ambitious efforts on behalf of this issue. He has been tireless on behalf of spreading the word on the issue of prevention of colorectal cancer. I can recall for many years being invited to participate in events where he has been out there talking about prevention and prevention, prevention, prevention. I salute him for his efforts and thank him for his service to our country on behalf of this very important issue.

He said it as clear as anyone could say it, and that is that the most common reason people give for why they have not had a colorectal cancer screening is that it wasn't recommended to them. And the most common reason that people die of colorectal cancer is because they haven't been screened. So, what is the answer? The answer is we have to get people to recommend that they get a screening for colorectal cancer. If they get the recommendation that they get screened, then they have a 90 percent chance of survival. It's that simple.

Why are people dying of an illness that is so preventable? Because they're not being told, first, that the statistics are what they are, that this is preventable; and two, that the professions out there need to get about doing what they need to do to make those recommendations that people get the screening. If you're 50 and older, you need to get the screening. If you have it in your family, you need to get the screening. And these are the simple messages that we need to get out to the general public. And Al Wynn has been the leader in this Congress in making sure those messages get out to the public. And I want to thank Kay Granger for her efforts as well in sponsoring this bill.

But the fact of the matter is that we cannot sit idly by and think that this is something that simply is a matter of saving dollars. I want to thank my friend, Mr. Burgess, for pointing out that we save lots of money if we screen early. He pointed out accurately that the Lewin Group said that we spent nearly $8.5 billion just this last year treating colorectal cancer. Two-thirds of that will be paid by the Federal Government; two-thirds will be paid by our taxpayers. And imagine if we had screening, we could avoid that cost. If we had screening, the cost of a screening could avoid all the heavy expenses of that treatment. But imagine all the lives that it will save? Imagine all the fathers and mothers and sons and daughters and brothers and sisters who would be spared the awful trauma of having to be treated with cancer.

This is the right thing to do. It's not only the right thing to do, you know, financially, which should be a no-brainer for us in Congress, we're looking for ways to save money, this is a money saver, but this is the right thing to do for our people in terms of saving them the heartache. So, what do we need to do? We need to cover people.

In my State of Rhode Island, we already mandate, our insurance coverage already requires it. But unfortunately, as the American Cancer Society is trying to do nationally, we have 47 million Americans without health insurance. And until we get more people covered with health insurance, there are going to continue to be people who fall off.

That's why this legislation is so important. It sets up grants to States so that we can target those who don't have health insurance so that they can get the screening. If we know that they have colorectal cancer polyps prescreening, then we know we can get in there and make sure that they get the treatment early so that we're not stuck as a society having to pay down the road for the most costly and expensive kinds of treatment through the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

So, my friends, this is something that we need to do. I salute all of those in the cancer community who have been trying to preach this message. This is a message that needs to be preached. And I think that every month ought to be Cancer Awareness Month. I'm just happy that we now finally are getting about focusing on an illness that has been too quiet, too quiet. When you compare it to breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer screenings are the lowest of all of them, the lowest,

because it has been the most stigmatized of all cancers.

But colorectal cancer can no longer remain that way because too many people are dying as a result.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 302, supporting the observance of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and for other purposes, introduced by my distinguished colleague from Texas, Representative Kay Granger. This important legislation recognizes the devastating effects of Colorectal Cancer, which kills 49,960 Americans each year, and raises awareness regarding the realities and severities of this disease.

Colorectal cancer includes both colon and rectal cancer and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths for both men and women within the United States. This form of cancer does not discriminate between men and women, race and ethnicity; however, the rates of diagnoses are slightly higher among the African America Community. Despite the fact that every 3.5 minutes someone is diagnosed with colorectal cancer, every 5 seconds, someone who should be screened for this cancer is not.

That is why this legislation is so important; we know the devastating effects of this type of cancer, yet we have failed to apply the necessary steps to address the epidemic. The survival rate of those who have colorectal cancer is 90 percent when detected in its early stages, but that rate dramatically drops to only 10 percent when colorectal cancer is detected after it has spread to distant organs. The death rate of colorectal cancer could be reduced by up to 80 percent if the majority of Americans age 50 or older were screened regularly for colorectal cancer. It is not surprising to note that uninsured Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with late stage colon cancer than patients with private insurance, and that as such only 39 percent of colorectal cancer patients have their cancer detected at an early stage. Only 18.8 percent of Americans without health coverage in the United States have currently been properly screened for colorectal cancer.

Regular colorectal cancer screening makes economic sense because it has been ranked as one of the most cost effective screening interventions available, with the potential to save more than 30,000 lives a year. Treatment costs for colorectal cancer are extremely high and are estimated at $8,400,000,000 for 2004; however, the risks associated with non-treatment are even higher.

The necessity of raising awareness about colorectal cancer cannot be overemphasized, and I applaud this legislation for supporting the observance of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The potential deadly effects of colorectal cancer should encourage Americans from all walks of life to be tested and treated by their doctors. Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. As such, colorectal cancer causes 655,000 deaths worldwide per year. Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month must also raise public awareness for the need of colorectal cancer testing for those Americans who are traditionally unable to afford such screening and seek ways to alleviate this disparity. It is imperative that Congress find a way to ensure every American at risk is tested and treated in the early stages to prevent an even higher death rate. Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month should be recognized by all Americans to focus on the special opportunity to offer education on the importance of early detection and screening.

I am proud to cosponsor this important legislation to support the observance of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. I strongly support H. Con. Res. 302 and urge all Members to do the same.