Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of H.R. 884, the PACTS Act, I am pleased we are moving quickly and considering this legislation, which implements a key 9/11 Commission recommendation that ``the United States should engage other nations in developing a comprehensive coalition strategy against Islamist terrorism.''

The bill enables the Department of Homeland Security to join forces with our closest international allies to develop homeland security technologies and share scientific information to help prevent terrorist attacks.

As co-chairman of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission Caucus, I know how important it is to implement the core recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and to hold the administration and relevant Federal agencies accountable to implement them.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the support of this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my fellow Members of Congress in recognizing Dorothy Ann Willis Richards' really extraordinary contribution to Texas and to American public life.

A steadfast political activist who first entered the political arena as a student at the University of Texas, Ann Richards rose through the political ranks first as a volunteer in State and local political campaigns and ultimately to a national figure.

A feminist icon, Ann Richards first came to national attention to many as the Texas State treasurer, when she delivered the keynote address at the 1988 National Democratic Convention. Serving as the Governor of Texas from 1991 to 1995, Governor Richards was widely acknowledged as an inspirational national leader, civil rights advocate, and role model. Her political philosophy was one of government openness and was noted for her unprecedented appointments of women and minorities to important positions.

Throughout her life, Governor Richards had a particular interest in social interests such as advancing women's rights and equality for all groups and individuals. She believed, if given a chance, all women could perform as well or better than men, and I would emphasize she probably thought better than men. She once offered a memorable salute to the achievements of women by reminding her audience, and I love this quote, ``Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels.''

Always willing to use her upbringing as an example for others, she once said that, ``Where I grew up, there wasn't much tolerance for self-importance, people who put on airs,'' and she lived by that philosophy.

During her tenure as Governor, she not only expanded the State's economic base through a program for economic revitalization, but created one of the most inclusive and representative governments in the history of Texas.

Soon after becoming Governor, she sought government efficiency by authorizing comprehensive audits of every State agency, that ultimately saved the taxpayers of Texas reportedly $6 billion.

As a result of her interest in law enforcement and her own personal battles with alcoholism, Governor Richards reformed the Texas prison system by establishing a substance abuse program for inmates, decreasing the number of violent offenders released, and increasing prison space.

Governor Richards was always tireless in her efforts on behalf of children and education. While Governor, she instituted the Texas lottery as a means of supplementing school funding.

After leaving office, in her final year of life, the Austin Independent School District announced, ``The Ann Richards School For Young Women Leaders.'' Opening in the fall of 2007, this institution will serve as a college preparatory school for girls in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum will focus on math, science, and technology. This initiative is one of many lasting tributes to Governor Richards' all-encompassing devotion to the citizens of Texas.

Sadly, Ann Richards passed away from cancer on September 16, 2006. She was 73 years old, leaving behind a legacy of political achievement and a record of championing equality and justice.

I ask all Members to join by supporting this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess).

Mr. Speaker, I would ask unanimous consent to transfer 10 minutes over to my colleague, if there is need to use that time.

Mr. Speaker, all Members on this side of the aisle have a tremendous appreciation for this great lady, and we are happy to honor her and are grateful the House is, in fact, honoring her.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. And I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for conducting this debate.

This debate has been constructive. I appreciate the thoughtful comments made on both sides. Speaking for the second time, I realize it may be tempting for some to support this resolution to somehow express our strong dissatisfaction with how the administration has conducted the war and to separate ourselves from an unpopular President.

I do not believe, however, support of what is truly a ``stay the course,'' ``status quo resolution'' will be a constructive outcome of the debate. It sends the wrong message to our troops, to the Iraqis, to our allies throughout the world, and, in particular, to our enemies.

Is it the American way to attack another country, disassemble its entire security forces--military, border patrol and police--and then leave before this broken country is capable to rebuild its security forces and stand on its own? The shame of this possibility haunts me.

And how can this resolution possibly help our troops on the battlefield who are there already who still have to carry out their mission?

We, the Congress, are in effect telling our troops, we support you, but we do not want you to have the reinforcements you need to carry out your mission, and we do not trust the judgment of your new commanding officer, General David Petraeus. How destructive is that?

Our troops deserve to know we have a plan to win. If we do not have a plan to win, we have a plan to leave. The resolution before the House neither helps us succeed nor gives us guidance on how to leave.

It is so counterproductive for 535 Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to micro-manage the war.

It is the responsibility of the administration to conduct the war effort. It is Congress' responsibility to conduct tough oversight, holding the administration accountable for the implementation of the war.

Having chaired 14 hearings on the operations in Iraq and been to Iraq 15 times to conduct on-the-ground oversight, I will continue to ask the administration the difficult questions and provide my observations and recommendations.

Regretfully, too few Members of Congress have fully considered the consequence of leaving Iraq prematurely. The Iraq Study Group warned, ``If the situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate, the consequence could be severe for Iraq, the United States, the region and the world.''

The ultimate goal for me is to bring our troops home without leaving Iraq in chaos. This is achievable if Republicans and Democrats, the White House and Congress, agree on a bipartisan solution as outlined by this Study Group.

Officially endorsing the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group and acting on them is the best way to make this happen.

The only way I think we should leave Iraq is the same way we got into Iraq, together.

Madam Speaker, it is good we are having this debate. As a 20-year veteran of this place, I am, frankly, impressed with the heartfelt and articulate statements from both sides of the aisle. On matters of war and peace, it is imperative we do what is right for our country, as we see it, and then live personally with the consequences.

Critics of the war in Iraq wanted new leadership at the Department of Defense, new military leadership on the ground, and a new plan to stabilize Iraq and bring our troops home.

We have a new Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, new Commanding General of Multinational Forces, David Petraeus, who everyone acknowledged is as perfect a person for this job as we could find, and a new strategy to clean up, hold and rebuild the neighborhoods with a short-term buildup of our forces.

The Democratic majority in the House has introduced a resolution condemning this strategy, expressing disapproval, without offering any alternatives. Ironically, they offer a stay the course resolution.

The majority is clear on what it is against, but does not say what it is for, leaving us with what exists right now, the status quo.

The resolution sends the wrong message to the President, to our troops, and to our enemies. It will not get my vote.

We need a resolution to help resolve this conflict, not a symbolic resolution that gives no guidance on how we can help stabilize Iraq and bring our troops home.

Working with Congressman Frank Wolf and others, we helped create the Iraq Study Group, bipartisan experts led by Jim Baker and Lee Hamilton who offered fresh eyes on Iraq and offered specific recommendations.

The Iraq Study Group made three recommendations, transfer responsibility for police patrolling the streets from American troops to Iraqi security forces; two, encourage Sunnis and Shias to resolve their differences or face the consequences, American troops leaving; and, three, conduct a robust diplomatic effort with all of Iraq's neighbors to engage them in the country's future.

The White House has implemented the first and second of those recommendations but, regretfully, not the third.

The Study Group provided a road map resoundingly endorsed by members from both political parties. It is a missed opportunity that the resolution we are debating this week does not incorporate these three recommendations.

I know there are many Americans who are concerned about a short-term increase in troops to secure and regain control of Baghdad. I understand their concern. Two years ago I believed this strategy had a better than even chance to work. Today it is less likely to succeed, but it is still the best opportunity we have.

But this strategy will only work if Iraqi troops do their part; Sunni and Shia politicians resolve their differences, meeting benchmarks against firm timelines like they did in 2005; and the U.S. and Iraq engage in a diplomatic surge with all of Iraq's neighbors, including Syria and Iran.

We also need to be prepared with plan B if this plan fails. It seems to me plan B involves taking our troops out of harm's way, removing them from the urban areas, and placing them along the borders so Iraq's neighbors, Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, and Turkey, are not tempted to enter Iraq.

And if plan B fails, we will have no choice but to leave, having been defeated, having lost to the Islamist terrorists who have made it very clear this is just the beginning.

In essence, our troops deserve to know we have a plan to win. If we do not have a plan to win, we need a plan to leave. The resolution before the House neither helps us succeed nor gives us guidance on when and how to leave. It is counterproductive.

It is so counterproductive, for 535 Members of the House of Representatives and Senate to micromanage the war. It is the responsibility of the administration to conduct the war effort. It is Congress's responsibility to conduct tough oversight, hold the administration accountable for the implementation of the war.

Having chaired 14 hearings on the operations in Iraq and been to Iraq 15 times to conduct on-the-ground oversight, I will continue to ask the administration the tough questions and to provide, to the best of my ability, my observations and recommendations.

Regretfully, too few Members of Congress have fully considered the consequence of leaving Iraq prematurely. The Iraq Study Group warned, ``If the situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate, the consequence could be severe for Iraq, the United States, the region, and the world.'' This is what members of the Iraq Study Group said on a bipartisan basis, Republicans and Democrats united.

The ultimate goal for me is to bring our troops home without leaving Iraq in chaos. This is still achievable if Republicans and Democrats, the White House and Congress, agree on a bipartisan solution and then carry it out with steely resolve. Officially endorsing the recommendations of that Iraq Study Group and acting on them is the best way to make this happen.

The only way we should leave Iraq is the same way we went in: together.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to emphasize the fact that, until now, this debate has been, I think, very up-front and I hope we can keep it at that level. I would also say, I wonder if it is the position of the Democratic Party that Iran is not funding and supplying the insurgents in Iraq, because I think that was determined far before President Bush's administration made any comments about it.

With that, I would yield 7 minutes to my distinguished colleague and friend on the Homeland Security Committee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent).

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

Before yielding to the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Deal, I would just like to comment on my colleague from Wisconsin and say to have lost 18 of his constituents is heart wrenching, and I know that his statement is heartfelt.

But, in fact, we are involved in the Arab League. We have involved five of the states surrounding, and every one of the ambassadors from this Arab League said, we didn't want you to go in, but you cannot leave.

I would just say to the gentleman as well that we asked, critics asked you and others for a new team and a new plan. You have a new team, and you do have a new plan. The new plan is not the surge in troops. The new plan is coming into the neighborhoods in Baghdad with Iraqis, embedded American troops, cleaning them up, and holding them.

A brief comment.

Reclaiming my time, what we do have is a new plan, and it is not the surge, it is cleaning up the neighborhoods and holding them with Iraqi troops embedded with American troops.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal).

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

Sergeant Henry Ybarra was, I am told, a regular guy. On a typical weekend, he could be found relaxing at home with his family, grilling outside with friends or watching his favorite NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys. At other times of the year he would tune into auto racing to watch his favorite NASCAR driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Sergeant Ybarra was a proud family man with everyday American values. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. His military career took him to Virginia, Kansas, Texas, and on to Germany. It was in Germany, while assigned to Troop D, 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry that he fought in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

His plans for the future were focused on his family and raising his three children; but as was pointed out, it all ended abruptly on September 11, 2003 in Balad, Iraq, when he was changing a tire on a heavy expanded mobility tactical truck when a tire suddenly exploded and killed him.

As his father back home in the U.S. was attending a memorial honoring those who died on September 11, 2001, he regretfully received word that his own son, who had given so much of himself to his country, had been killed.

Sergeant Ybarra was known by his friends, comrades and family for having a joyful spirit and a constant smile. He liked to kid to make others laugh. A proud father, son, husband and soldier maintained a positive attitude and never said, I am told, a harmful word towards others.

He served his country with distinction. Among his awards and decorations were: the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, three Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, three Overseas Service Ribbons and the Basic Marks qualification badge.

Mr. Speaker, this was a man who was happy to serve his country, and we are grateful he did. Let us honor his ultimate sacrifice by renaming this post office for him.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

From all we know about Sergeant Lea Robert Mills, he was a dedicated and honorable Marine who hoped to make a difference in people's lives. Inspired to volunteer for the military after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Sergeant Mills gave his life fighting for those values we hold dearest.

Sergeant Mills of Masaryktown, Florida, joined the Marines after his graduation from Hernando High School in 2002. He wanted to serve on the front lines in the war on terror, and he wanted to make a difference. Always one to do his best, Sergeant Mills advanced quickly in rank and received many honors, becoming a leader to his beloved Marine comrades.

On April 28, 2006, at age 21, he was killed by a terrorist IED explosion while on patrol in Iraq, leaving behind his young wife, Keesha, and a very loving family. Sergeant Mills was proud to serve his Nation and strongly believed that he was doing the right thing for his country.

With gratitude for his bravery and sacrifice to his country, I ask all members to join me in supporting H.R. 514, which will rename the aviation post office in Brooksville, Florida, in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation was, I think, submitted by Ginny Brown- Waite, who is in transit. I hope that if we get to the next bill and I still control time, I could yield her time to speak on this issue, if it is all right with my colleagues.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, February 1 marks the beginning of Black History Month. It is the time when we take time to honor the commitments and struggles of African Americans and try to understand their struggles. It is only fitting that during this month we honor a man whose perseverance and dedication to his community and fellow African Americans broke through and broke down historic barriers.

On August 3, 1863, Scipio Africanus Jones was born in Smith Township, Arkansas. His mother had been a slave. Scipio Jones attended black schools in the area and then moved to Little Rock to attend preparatory courses at Philander Smith College. From there he earned his Bachelor's Degree from North Little Rock's Bethel University, now known as Shorter College.

But his interest in education did not stop there. He recognized the continuing struggle African Americans face in achieving equal rights, and knew he could contribute through Arkansas' legal system.

Mr. Jones offered to work unpaid as a janitor at the offices of the local U.S. district judge. There he began to read law books and became an apprentice in law under Circuit Judge Robert Lea. He was accepted into the American Bar Association in 1889. From there, he was admitted to practice in the circuit court of Pulaski County in Little Rock.

In 1900, he was admitted to the State Supreme Court, then the United States District Court, the United States Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals.

He was a strong member of his community and joined several local fraternal organizations. He even turned down offers to serve as the ambassador to the Republic of Haiti, as well as the Recorder of Deeds in the District of Columbia so he could support the Little Rock area.

He was treasurer of the National Negro Bar Association, the National Attorney General of the Mosaic Templars of America, a member of the International Order of Twelve, and a member of the Knights and Daughters of Tabor.

Through his work in these fraternal organizations, he became known as the ``Gibraltar of Negro fraternal beneficiary societies.''

Mr. Jones is famous for his defense in the trial of the Elaine Twelve. In 1919 a group of black sharecroppers met in Elaine, Arkansas, to discuss creating their own unit and whether to bring a class action lawsuit against their landlords for not paying them appropriate shares for their homegrown crops.

When a local sheriff and railroad detective, both white, showed up to the meeting, a fight arose. It quickly spread through the town and lasted for 3 days. It grew so intense that 600 Federal troops came to the area to quiet the fighting.

In the end, 99 black men were arrested. Twelve of the men received a trial that lasted only 20 minutes and sentenced them to death. With Scipio's efforts he pushed their case to the Supreme Court of the United States, which successfully gave all 12 men a new trial.

Beyond his legal work, Mr. Jones was a passionate businessman. He was the founder and owner of People's Ice and Fuel Company. He also founded Arkansas's Negro Business League.

Judge Scipio Jones fought hard his whole life for the rights of his fellow African Americans. He knew a better way of life could be had for his community members. He was a prominent leader, lawyer, educator, businessman, and politician. It is so appropriate that we honor a man of such determination, pride and integrity during Black History Month with the naming of this post office.

Frankly, I am in awe of this gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 5.

Providing our veterans with the resources necessary to make their transition to civilian life as effortless and successful as possible is a goal all members of Congress share. This resolution reiterates the need for employers to hire veterans.

We must make a commitment as a Nation to ensure the men and women who put on a uniform to protect and defend our Nation have the ability to find employment within the government or private sector upon their return.

While the previous Congress enacted several pieces of legislation to improve Veterans' benefits, there is still more to be done. This resolution takes another step toward focusing our country on the need to increase veteran's employment.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, on January 29, 2007, I was returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and, therefore, missed three recorded votes.

I take my voting responsibility very seriously and would like the Congressional Record to reflect that, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on recorded vote number 58, ``yea'' on recorded vote 59 and ``yea'' on recorded vote 60.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 51 to honor the contributions of Catholic Schools to our nation's educational system. Too many children in our country are not getting the education they need and deserve. Catholic schools provide many students with a wonderful education and, in many cases, a quality alternative to overburdened public schools.

I am grateful for the work of the 39 Catholic schools that are run by the Diocese of Bridgeport which is based in Connecticut's Fourth Congressional District, and serves 10,988 students from diverse backgrounds. These schools offer elementary and secondary education, as well as after-school programs. They present students with an alternative to public schools, and provide a strong sense of faith and discipline.

I commend the teachers, administrators, students and parents for their role in Catholic education, and the key role they play in creating a brighter, better educated nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6, the CLEAN Energy Act. Protecting our environment and promoting energy independence are two of the most important jobs I have as a Member of Congress.

I have long advocated repealing some of the tax breaks we give oil companies as ``incentives'' because our current market place provides adequate incentive as is to find additional sources of oil.

I also support using the $14 billion this bill will save in royalty relief to fund a renewable energy and efficient energy trust fund.

The bottom line is we are not resolving our energy needs because we are not conserving. We'll just continue to consume more and waste more, consume more and waste more, and act like it doesn't matter. This legislation is a first step to begin to address our energy needs.

This bill is similar to a provision in my energy legislation, the Energy for Our Future Act, which also repeals extraneous oil and gas company tax breaks. This is just one of the three principal goals the Energy For Our Future Act has for our national energy policy. I also hope Congress works to improve the fuel efficiency of passenger vehicles, provide incentives for the purchase of energy-efficient appliances and promote the growth of renewable energy, all three of which I deal with in my legislation.

In the past we have taken steps to increase our supply with no focus on our need to conserve. I am pleased to see legislation that finally recognizes that we are on a demand course that is simply unsustainable if we do not take control of our over-consumption.

Mr. Speaker, I am opposed to H.R. 4. Despite the rhetoric we're hearing on this issue, the fact is seniors are already realizing significant savings from negotiated prices. With plenty of competition between Medicare prescription drug plans driving prices lower, the free market is working. Why fix something when it's working?

Seniors should understand the government isn't in charge of negotiating prices because the government doesn't administer the benefit. Private plans do. The negotiation takes place through private carriers who provide this service already for prescription drug beneficiaries like the United Automobile Workers of America.

Most prescription drug plans use pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, to negotiate drug prices for them. These PBMs already negotiate drug prices for private insurers, and now, with the added market power of Medicare beneficiaries, PBMs are getting lower prices not only for Medicare beneficiaries, but for everyone on whose behalf they are negotiating.

I noted with interest the Congressional Budget Office report on this legislation, which stated that the federal government lacks the leverage to achieve savings over what private plans are already negotiating. Furthermore, the CBO report notes because Medicare prescription drug plans bear substantial financial risk, they already have strong incentives to negotiate deep discounts on prescription drugs.

I think it is unfortunate on an issue of this importance, we haven't had a single committee hearing or considered a single amendment to this legislation, despite significant evidence the legislation will not do what its proponents claim it will.

I share the bill's proponents support for lowering drug prices, but H.R. 4 is the wrong solution.

Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from Colorado and the gentleman from Delaware deserve our thanks for sponsoring the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act and working with so many families on a bipartisan basis who have been impacted by diseases that may find cures as a result of this vital research. Their work and dedication on this legislation has been tremendous and praiseworthy. I also thank them for giving me the opportunity to cast one of the most important votes I will ever make in Congress.

Almost everyone has lost some family members and friends prematurely. Embryonic stem cell research has the potential to cure disease and save lives, and it is only 8 years old. These are stem cells that come from the inner cells of discarded embryos that were never in a mother's womb, are being destroyed as we speak. Thus, this is not a matter of pro-life versus pro-choice, but rather a matter of humanity and the potential of life versus disease and the certainty of death.

I am grateful the new Democratic leadership is making this legislation a priority in this Congress, just as I was grateful the Republican leadership gave us an opportunity for clean up-or-down vote on legislation in the last Congress.

I pray we pass the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 and that the President reconsiders his position and signs this bill into law. Sometimes ideology can box you in and cause you to make wrong and harmful decisions. I think it is time we recognize the dark ages are over. Galileo and Copernicus have been proven right. The world is in fact round. The Earth does revolve around the sun.

I believe God gave us the intellect to differentiate between imprisoning dogma and sound ethical science, which is what we must do here today. I want history to look back at this Congress and say in the face of the age-old tension between religion and science, the Members here allowed critical scientific research to advance while respecting important ethical questions that surround it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2, the Fair Minimum Wage Act.

The time is past due for a raise in the Federal minimum wage, which was last increased in 1996. Today, workers making the least should be heartened that this legislation will raise their wages by $2.10 an hour over two years to $7.25.

Some argue that raising the minimum wage increases unemployment and prices. This is true only if the minimum wage is set too high or phased in too quickly. If done properly, there should be little to no impact on employment or prices.

Several economic analyses point to an important dynamic that I believe is at work: When the minimum wage is increased, people have more of an incentive to work, and less of an incentive to collect welfare or remain idle.

It is clear to me that increasing the minimum wage is a vital step toward ensuring work is more attractive than welfare.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the support of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American women and more than 40,000 women will die from breast cancer this year alone. Three of four women diagnosed with breast cancer have no known risk--no family history.

While the diagnosis rate of this cancer continues to increase, I am thankful the breast cancer death rate is steadily decreasing, which is in large part due to advancing medical treatments and an increase in early detection. By continuing to support breast cancer research and early diagnosis, we can help bring an end to this disease that takes a new life once every fourteen minutes.

In recognition of last year's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Karen Stevenson, a resident of New Canaan, Connecticut, gave an address at the launch of the ``Paint the Town Pink'' program at New Canaan Town Hall. I submit the text of Ms. Stevenson's remarks to be entered into the Record.

Good morning. Active and healthy--definitely much more fit

than I am now--with no history of the disease in the family,

I was completely blindsided by a breast cancer diagnosis 5

years ago based on an unusual mammogram result. I had a

mastectomy and reconstructive surgery followed by 5 months of

chemotherapy. My daughters were 7 and 10 at the time.

With the warm generosity of family, friends and colleagues

who supplied moral support, hugs, and many a meal to help

maintain normalcy in the girls' routine at home, we navigated

through that difficult period and came out the other side.

The kids were troopers. To this day they still find such

humor in telling the story of Mom having melted her wig on

Thanksgiving Day with a sudden blast of heat from the oven

while basting.

My situation is not unique, but rather, representative of

what so many women in our community have faced.

I shared the first few weeks of chemo with a group of

spectacular women and we quickly banded together to help

carry one another through the various rounds of surgeries,

chemo, radiation, genetic testing, additional surgeries, and

follow-on treatments in all the years since.

Licia, a young professional diagnosed only 4 months after

being married,

Kerry, an exceptionally talented marketing director, artist

and mom, diagnosed only 1 week before giving birth to her

second child,

Debbie, a teacher and beautiful mother of three young

school children,

Julia, a NYC actress and mother of two teenagers,

Chris, an attorney and mother of two pre-school daughters.

Of note, while we were a randomly assembled group of six,

four of us were under 35 years old and all of us were under

age 43.

Breast cancer is everywhere and I'm sure you can each add

several names of patients and loved ones to the growing list.

While the topic doesn't typically surface in casual

conversation it always amazes me how often we discover this

common sisterhood.

While the diagnosis itself is daunting, we are the

fortunate beneficiaries of the drug trials and experiences of

the many who have gone before us over the past 20 years, and

as a result, there are many more treatment options available,

as well as access to solid information about their efficacy

and managing side effects. In my case and for many others,

early detection and the rapidly evolving treatment have

ensured we can continue to attend the soccer games and school

plays, host family holidays and be here to enjoy our

families.

The harsh reality is that even the treatments available

today are not successful for all of us and the implication of

later diagnosis is significantly added risk. It is

just heartbreaking to watch so many vibrant women in our

community struggle and suffer for years, exhausting

treatment options that will hold back their cancer and

pain while trying to continue care for their families.

We are so fortunate to live in an area with such excellent

access to quality care locally--for regular check-ups, for

mobile mammograms, and should it be necessary, for both

proven and innovative cancer treatments. But we must take

advantage of that access!

Ask yourself tonight as you are tucking your children into

bed . . . or talking to your college student via phone this

weekend . . . or watching your grandson's football game . . .

Are you willing to put this in jeopardy unnecessarily when it

takes only an hour of your time to make and keep a screening

appointment? As you walk past the waves of pink on Elm and

Main Streets, won't you take a pledge today to ensure all the

important women in your life make this a priority?

On behalf of all of those who have been touched personally

by Breast Cancer--and I'm sure there are many here today--we

offer our profound thanks to the merchants of New Canaan and

to Janet Blaylock and the team of volunteers she has

mobilized. Your efforts to Paint the Town Pink for a weeks in

October as a collective call to action will most certainly be

a positive turning point in the lives of many families in our

community.