Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.

Madam Speaker, due to illness, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

November 29, 2010

Rollcall vote 581, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass--H.R. 5877, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 655 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, as the ``Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, United States Marine Corps Post Office Building''--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 582, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 771, Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day--I would have voted ``aye.''

November 30, 2010

Rollcall vote 583, On Agreeing to the Resolution--H. Res. 1736, Providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 4783) to accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Chile, and to extend the period from which such contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti may be accelerated--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 584, On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments--H.R. 4783, To accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Chile, and to extend the period from which such contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti may be accelerated--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 585, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended--H. Res. 1585, Honoring and recognizing the exemplary service and sacrifice of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the 349th Air Mobility Wing, the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, and the 615th Contingency Response Wing civilians and families serving at Travis Air Force Base, California--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 586, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 1740, Recognizing and honoring the National Guard on the occasion of its 374th anniversary--I would have voted ``aye.''

December 1, 2010

Rollcall vote 587, On Ordering the Previous Question--H. Res. 1742, Providing for consideration of S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 588, On Agreeing to the Resolution--H. Res. 1742, Providing for consideration of S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 589, On Agreeing to the Resolution--H. Res. 1741, Providing for consideration of H.J. Res. 101, Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011, and for other purposes--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 590, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Con. Res. 323, Supporting the goal of ensuring that all Holocaust survivors in the United States are able to live with dignity, comfort, and security in their remaining years--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 591, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 1735, Condemning North Korea in the strongest terms for its unprovoked military attack against South Korea on November 23, 2010--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 592, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended--H. Res. 1430, Honoring and saluting golf legend Juan Antonio ``Chi Chi'' Rodriguez for his commitment to Latino youth programs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute--I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I introduced House Resolution 771 on September 24, 2009 to recognize the 3,000 Americans diagnosed with Mesothelioma each year and raise awareness about this rare form of cancer. After more than a year of work, a coalition of support came together to mark September 26, 2010 as the first ever ``National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.'' I have to thank 58 of my colleagues--both Democrats and Republicans--who co-sponsored this resolution and all the advocates for their work.

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-linked cancer most often found in a person's chest, lungs, or

abdomen. More than a million Americans are exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos while on the job, including military personnel, firefighters, and construction workers. In fact, workers in our own Capitol complex are suffering from asbestos exposure. Many of these individuals are unaware of the risk at the time of exposure.

Despite decades of warnings about the dangers of asbestos, too many Americans are still unaware of the devastating nature of this disease. Although over 50 countries have banned asbestos, the United States has not. It is found in millions of products sold in this country, including brake pads, roofing materials, and gaskets.

The fight against Mesothelioma is a personal issue for me. In 2000, my friend and predecessor Congressman Bruce Vento was diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma. The news was devastating for his family, friends, and all of us in Minnesota that knew him. Bruce represented Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District from 1977-2000. During his service in Congress, he was tireless advocate on behalf of his constituents and a national champion for environmental protection and the rights of the homeless.

Awareness is critical for early diagnosis and treatment. ``National Mesothelioma Awareness Day'' honors those living with Mesothelioma, those that have died from the disease, and their families. House Resolution 771 is an important step toward educating the nation about the causes of this deadly disease and the need for better treatments and additional research.

I strongly urge all of my colleagues to support passage of this bipartisan resolution.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 771) supporting the goals and ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of House Resolution 771, a bill supporting the goals and ideals of National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. This resolution will

raise awareness of this often fatal disease. House Res. 771 was introduced by our colleague, the gentlewoman from Minnesota, Representative Betty McCollum on September 24, 2009. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform which ordered it reported favorably on July 15, 2010. It comes to the floor today with the support of over 50 cosponsors.

Madam Speaker, mesothelioma is a very difficult cancer to detect, diagnose, and treat. Though relatively rare, with about 2,000 new cases diagnosed each year, those diagnosed with mesothelioma have an expected survival time of only 8 to 14 months.

Exposure to asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure in the workplace is reported in 70 to 80 percent of cases. Asbestos was a common building material before 1975 and is still found in over 3,000 products that are on the market today. An exposure for as little as 1 month may lead to a diagnoses of mesothelioma decades later.

Madam Speaker, mesothelioma is a serious and difficult-to-control form of cancer, and there is much work to be done to find new treatment options. Let us now show our support for the awareness of the disease and need for these treatment options through the passage of House Resolution 771. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to join me in support of this measure.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, Monday, November 29, I was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 5877 and H. Res. 771 and wish the record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote. Last night I was conducting a meeting with local businesses in my district and was unable to travel to Washington, DC in time for the votes.

Had I been present on rollcall No. 581 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 5877, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 655 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, as the ``Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, United States Marine Corps Post Office Building'', I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present on rollcall No. 582 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 771, Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day, I would have voted ``aye.''

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

I rise today in support of H. Res. 771, supporting the goals and ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. It is a terrible disease, form of cancer, debilitating ailment that is terminal. Madam Speaker, many all over the world have suffered and died from this disease, including a former Member of this body.

Bruce F. Vento, a Member who I served with for 19 years died of mesothelioma in the year 2000. He represented Minnesota's Fourth District for 12 terms until his death. I still remember the last time I spoke to Mr. Vento. He was in the back rail there close to the Democratic Cloakroom.

So I strongly support and thank the gentleman and gentlelady from Minnesota for offering this and urge all Members to support it.

I yield back the balance of my time.