Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of Mario Canzoneri, who died on Saturday, January 19, 2008, following heart surgery. Mario and his wife Karen have been true and constant supporters of the community of 9/11 victims and their families. They have shared their therapy dogs--the Smile Retrievers-- Jake, Jessie, Mattie, and Macie, with the entire community.

Immediately after the tragic attacks, Mario brought his therapy dogs to New York to help the families of the victims. Selflessly, and always at their own expense, Mario and Karen ministered to 9/11 families. They also traveled to Oklahoma City, to the TAPS program in Washington, to the campus of Virginia Tech, and to many other places where people were in pain from brutal losses.

Mario was extremely active in the community, attending every forum sponsored by Voices of September 11th and has accompanied the Pentagon families during their remembrance walks. I have heard many stories of young children cuddling up to the dogs and finding a way to deal with their grief on the anniversary of the attacks.

Mario proved that each of us holds the power to change the lives of many for the better. Although Mario's own life was cut short, his was a life lived to the fullest--a life that impacted others in a way few of us ever achieve. With purpose and resolve, Mario Canzoneri used his time on God's earth wisely and for the betterment of those around him.

In closing, Madam Speaker, I would like to extend my personal condolences to the Canzoneri family. Mario was a great man with a kind heart, and we are all in his debt.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule.

You know, kicking the can may be a fun game when there's nothing to do and there are no consequences at stake. But when it comes to national security and protecting the American people, providing the right tools to those on the front lines in the war against terrorism, kicking the can could be a fatal bargain.

Congress continues to kick the can down the road on a key tool that has kept this country safe since September 11. The other body closed a loophole in FISA that will ensure intelligence services have all the tools necessary to track terrorists overseas, terrorists who want to do us harm. Our Nation has not been attacked since September 11, in large part because of our ability to detect and disrupt terrorist plots before they've had a chance to carry out their evil acts. FISA is essential to those efforts.

Why do some ignore history? Why do some ignore the mindset of the likes of al Qaeda and others? Why do some want to weaken our ability to disrupt a terrorist attack before it occurs? Why do some put our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines in harm's way or at risk?

Last year we modernized the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act only after the National Intelligence Director told Congress that we were ``missing a significant amount of foreign intelligence that we should be protecting to protect our country.'' What about those consequences?

Preventing the destruction of the Brooklyn Bridge is but one example. More tragically is the case of Specialist Alex Jiminez of Queens, New York. Last May, Specialist Jiminez was taken hostage by al Qaeda in Iraq. Information had been secured on one of the possible kidnappers, but intelligence experts were hamstrung by the outdated version of FISA. It prevented them from conducting surveillance on terrorists in a foreign nation without first obtaining a warrant. As the kidnappers acted, lawyers sat around a conference table here in Washington for 10 hours debating and drafting legal briefs to establish probable cause to conduct the surveillance. While the lawyers debated, losing precious time, Specialist Jiminez most likely was killed. They've yet to find the body and that of his colleague.

Let's stop kicking the can down the road. This is not a game we can afford to lose.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to call attention to two provisions in this legislation, one in the manager's amendment and one in the underlying legislation passed in the Education and Labor Committee. The first provision allows colleges and universities to apply for a non- Federal matching grant for fire prevention technologies through an already established program via the Department of Education. These funds will be used to professionally install fire prevention devices in student housing, dormitories, and other buildings on campus. More people are alive today, we know, Mr. Chairman, because of fire detection, and this provision will help prevent fires in college housing and save many lives in the process.

We don't need to be reminded of, for example, Seton Hall University several years ago that had a devastating fire in one of the college buildings that resulted in student deaths. The last thing, I think, a parent wants to discover or hear is that their child was injured or, worse, killed in a fire while away at college.

The other provision was included in the manager's amendment with the help of Chairman Miller and Ranking Member McKeon. The provision will provide colleges and universities with additional funds to acquire security cameras, intrusion detection sensors, and other technologies to protect students, faculty, and campus visitors. Allowing colleges and universities the opportunity to use these funds will provide the higher education community with a safer environment, again, one where parents can go to bed at night not worrying whether or not their children are safe so far away from home.

As we all have colleges and universities, chances are, throughout the country in our districts, whether St. John's University in Staten Island or Wagner College, we all know that this funding and these provisions will go a long way to help their campuses become more secure and more safe.

Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the Catholic Schools not only in my home Congressional District of Staten Island and Brooklyn, but also the entire Nation as we honor Catholic Schools Week from January 27-February 2, 2008, which is sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

America's Catholic schools educate nearly 2.5 million students a year, providing the Nation's young men and women with a broad academic background emphasizing the lifelong development of moral, intellectual physical and social values.

Catholic school initiatives that reach out to disadvantaged young people have touched a diverse group of students who sometimes find themselves trapped in underachieving schools. It is not surprising to me that more than 25 percent of Catholic school students are from minority groups and nearly 14 percent are non-Catholics. Parents recognize the importance of a quality education and are willing to sacrifice to ensure their children have every opportunity to succeed in the world.

Catholic Schools Week pays tribute to the dedication, character, compassion, and values that embody Catholic education in this country. I believe it is important to recognize the outstanding contributions Catholic Schools make in our country today. Their commitment to the educational standards and values ensure our children will have the right moral framework to help lead our great Nation in the future.

As a product of Catholic education, I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution.

I would like to recognize all Catholic Schools in the 13th Congressional District of New York: Academy of St. Dorothy, Blessed Sacrament, Holy Rosary, Immaculate Conception, Notre Dame Academy, Monsignor Farrell High School, Moore Catholic School, Mother Francciska, Notre Dame Academy Elementary, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Our Lady Help of Christians, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Benedicta, Our Lady Queen of Peace, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Sacred Heart, St. Adalbert, St. Ann, St. Charles, St. Christopher, St. Clare, St. John Villa Academy, St. Joseph, St. Joseph by the Sea High School, St. Joseph Hill Academy, St. Joseph-St. Thomas, St. Margaret Mary, St. Mary, St. Patrick, St. Paul, St. Peter's Boys, St. Peter's Girls, St. Peter's Elementary, St. Rita, St. Roch, St. Sylvester, Seton Foundation For Learning, St. Teresa, Most Precious Blood, Fontbonne Hall Academy, Our Lady of Angels, Our Lady of Grace, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Anselm, St. Bernadette, St. Ephrem, St. Finbar, St. Frances Cabrini, St. Patrick School, Sts. Simon & Jude, Visitation Academy, Xavarian High School, Xavarian Genesis Program.

Madam Speaker, as a founding member of the Congressional Men's Health Caucus I am very pleased to report a groundswell of activity occurring as I speak today across the country related to men's health education, outreach, awareness, and screening. This focus and attention is long overdue. New data provide alarming statistics about a gradual decline in men's health. In fact, men are living on average about 5 years less than their female counterparts, men are leading in 9 out of 10 top causes of death, 1 in 2 men in their lifetime will be diagnosed with cancer compared to 1 in 3 women, and as women enter retirement (65-69 years of age) approximately 15 percent are widows due to the premature death/disability of men.

I am proud to work with the Men's Health Network, MHN, to raise awareness of men's health; they, for over 15 years, have taken the lead nationally in setting best practices, creating grassroots networks and activism, and providing health services to men and their families where they live, work, play, and pray.

Under their leadership we are seeing symposia, screening events, and campaigns launched all across the country aimed at reversing the negative trends in men's health. In November and December of 2007 alone, they have led community/neighborhood development efforts resulting in a Massachusetts Symposium on Men's Health, Louisiana Symposium on Men's Health, Florida Smoking Policy Symposium, ``Healthy Sunday'' church screening at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Baton Rouge, LA, and will launch a Women Against Prostate Cancer organization in conjunction with the Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center. Each of these programs and initiatives makes it a priority to empower men, women, and their families to live healthier lifestyles. These efforts are engineered to reach underserved populations who don't have access to health services or health education materials.

Women Against Prostate Cancer is a new organization, founded by Men's Health Network in conjunction with the Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center, that is developing a grassroots network of women volunteers who have been adversely affected by prostate cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates 219,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, resulting in more than 27,000 deaths this year. Meanwhile, the state symposia create opportunities for networking for men's health and community outreach organizations throughout the State(s), as well as encourage preventative health measures and physician and patient dialogue.

Actions like these can save lives and, more importantly, American families. I along with my colleagues belonging to the Congressional Men's Health Caucus am proud to support these continued efforts while continually stressing the need to establish an Office of Men's Health within the Department of Health and Human Services.

I thank the gentleman for yielding. It is great, because in other countries, sometimes opposition candidates get put under house arrest. Here in this great institution we have the debate in plain view. And as has been mentioned repeatedly, there is just a clear distinction on how to solve this problem.

Personally, I think I speak for many, the AMT is a problem, and it is a problem for 52,000 people living in Staten Island and Brooklyn, many of whom, by the way, are small business owners, are those firemen and police officers and teachers who are working sometimes two, three and four jobs to put food on the table. We should abolish it. Abolish it once and for all, as has been suggested.

Put simply, this is a wolf in sheep's clothing. We know what it will do. This is the first installment on what will be the largest tax increase in American history. My concern is more than just being an American citizen here. My equal concern is what will it do to New York's economy.

People talk about how we are going to pay for firefighters and police officers. We know that this bill will punish investment, punish capital, kill jobs that in large part go to fund the salaries of those firefighters and police officers and teachers who do a great job every day. It is a clear distinction, a clear disagreement on where we are going. Kill this bill.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 986, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

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

Mr. Speaker, let me at the outset thank my colleague from New York (Mr. Meeks) without whom this legislation would not be possible. As he has mentioned, while we are on opposite sides of the aisle, we share the common goal of ensuring that the U.S. remain the envy of the world when it comes not just to capital markets but also the place where people can come, investors can come, entrepreneurs can exist and find capital and make this country even better and stronger.

Of course, we share the common purpose of representing the greatest city in the world, New York, which has always been and shall continue to be the financial capital of the world. I would also like to thank the chairman of the committee, Mr. Frank, and especially the ranking member, Mr. Bachus, for bringing this bill to the floor, again, without whom this would not be possible.

Over the past year or more there has been a new and rightly placed focus on the competitiveness of the United States capital markets. As emerging international markets continue to grow, the natural and historical attraction to the U.S. capital markets has given way to the considerations of a broader scale. In short, the U.S. is no longer the only game in town.

Over the past several years, as my good friend Mr. Meeks has indicated, several reports have been published that argue the regulatory and legal environment in the U.S. serve as negative considerations when market participants choose where to raise capital or headquarter a global business. With new markets popping up across the globe, investors and businesses now have more options, and increasingly we are seeing them choose alternatives to the U.S., such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and London.

We have seen an increasing number of U.S. companies, in particular small companies, raise capital on foreign exchanges, in particular, London's Alternative Investment Market, or, as known commonly, AIM. Clearly, the United States remains the global financial leader. Overall, I believe we can be optimistic about the future growth and success of the American capital markets. However, in a constantly evolving and ever-innovative global marketplace, we cannot take our leadership for granted, nor ignore indicators that the U.S. competitive edge is diminishing. As lawmakers, we have a critical responsibility to ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of the financial markets.

Strong capital markets are not a success realized by Wall Street and investment bankers exclusively. Strong markets mean jobs, economic growth and retirement security for people across the United States. We cannot control the evolution of overseas markets or their ability to compete in a global marketplace, nor should we want to. What we can control, however, is our ability to respond and to adapt to changing circumstances with innovation and flexibility that will allow our markets and market-makers to maintain their competitive edge.

This bill, the Small Cap Competitive Listing Act, is an important and reasonable step toward achieving that goal. In order to compete in an increasingly global and highly competitive marketplace, exchanges both domestic and international have developed additional listing tiers, with lower listing standards to expand opportunities for

smaller companies. Particularly for small cap companies, an opportunity to list on a developmental tier is an important component to their ability to raise the capital necessary to grow their business and to continue to innovate.

Mr. Speaker, in 1996, Congress passed the National Securities Market Improvement Act in an effort to streamline the regulatory process and eliminate duplication. Common sense. This act included an important provision that granted preemption from State security regulation to the national exchanges: the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and the American Stock Exchange. Because these listings were national in scope on the major U.S. exchanges, Congress deferred regulation to the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, as the markets have evolved, that legislation has created a legislative barrier to the establishment of developmental tiers on national exchanges.

Because developmental tiers have less stringent listing standards, securities offered on those exchanges should in fact be subject to State regulatory oversight in addition to the SEC oversight. The legislation provides the national exchanges a legislative pathway that currently exists for regional domestic exchanges and foreign exchanges to offer a marketplace for small cap companies. By allowing the national exchange to establish this new tier, it will grant small cap companies a new alternative to London's AIM market and to other marketplaces that may be less regulated and less transparent.

This legislation represents sound policy. It puts all of our domestic exchanges on equal footing and removes a roadblock to progress. In addition, the bill represents an important approach to addressing American competitiveness. It grants the flexibility to develop new offerings without creating a regulatory race to the bottom. These new tiers would be subject to State security regulations, and any proposed new listing will be subject to oversight and approval from the SEC. Additionally, investor protections are upheld. As public companies, small cap companies seeking to list on a developmental tier will be required to fully comply with U.S. securities laws.

Let me just say in closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Meeks. We here in Congress, regardless of our party affiliation or where we are from, know that this country is the engine of the world, and we want to keep it such. We understand that financial markets, in particular the securities industry, is a vital component of our national economy.

And it is not just about Wall Street. As mentioned, many of us, whether you are from Queens, Brooklyn or Staten Island, many of our constituents benefit from a vibrant financial service industry. Much of that tax revenue disproportionately in New York City goes to fund schools and parks and roads. This is just a small way in which we can maintain that competitive edge, give entrepreneurs and small companies the opportunity to access our capital markets, put us on equal footing to compete with London's AIM and other emerging market exchanges across the world, and understand that the American people, the American businessman and woman, can compete with anyone if given the tools and the barriers are diminished.

Mr. Speaker, I have no speakers. Mr. Meeks, thank you very much. As well, I would like to add my thanks to his staff and that of Mr. Frank, Mr. Bachus, and on my staff, Ryan McKee, and urge my colleagues to adopt the underlying legislation.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the New Utrecht Reformed Church in Brooklyn, New York on its 330th Anniversary.

Dutch settlers formed the town of New Utrecht, one of the original five towns of Brooklyn, in the mid 1600's and eventually, under the authority of the Reformed Church in the Netherlands, established the New Utrecht Cemetery in 1654. These same settlers gathered as a congregation in 1677 under the name of the Reformed Dutch Church of New Utrecht Long Island, which is the fourth oldest congregation in Brooklyn. It was later renamed the New Utrecht Reformed Church, the name it carries to this day.

The history of the church is detailed and storied, including being seized and occupied by the British during the Revolutionary War and used as a hospital. There is even a weathervane that bears the bullet holes sustained during the Battle of Long Island.

The Church also provided care and assistance to the Continental Army and General Woodhull, who eventually died inside the hospital. The Daughters of the American Revolution have since raised a statue of General Woodhull on the grounds of the Church cemetery.

In 1783, when the British evacuated Brooklyn, the New Utrecht Reform Church was privileged to be the first location to have the Betsy Ross flag flown over its grounds. To this day, the same liberty pole flies an American flag nearly 224 years after the British evacuation.

Not only did the New Utrecht Reform Church play a vital role in the Revolutionary War but also played an important role in the Civil War by sponsoring Company H of the 14th New York Regiment of the Union Army. To this day, the lives of these brave Union soldiers are memorialized in the church's sponsorship of the New York State Military Company H Brooklyn 14th Regiment re-enactment troop.

In 1910, the New Utrecht Reformed Church founded the oldest continuous Boy Scout Troop in the nation; Troop 20 and its counterpart, Cub Scout Pack 20. The congregation continues its commitment to provide safe harbor for our community's youth through support of the scouting program and many other community events centered on the enrichment of children's lives.

Throughout its long history, New Utrecht has opened its doors to new immigrants arriving on our shore: the Italian congregation in 1947; the Chinese congregation in the 1980's; the Korean congregation in the early 1980's and the Russian congregation in the 1990s.

Madam Speaker, New Utrecht Reformed Church has been a mainstay in the Brooklyn community for 330 years and has impacted the lives of countless individuals. On this 330th anniversary, I would like to honor the church for its contributions to the people of Brooklyn and to the United States with the hope of another 330 years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Congressman Kuhl be removed as a cosponsor to H.R. 3898.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 20, the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act, and join my colleagues in commending Mr. Rush for bringing the bill to the floor.

As has been mentioned, the bill highlights the need to increase awareness of postpartum depression and expand the knowledge of its terrible side effects.

It's important to note that as many as 80 percent of women experience some mood disturbances after pregnancy, and for most women the symptoms are mild and go away on their own; but 10 to 20 percent of women develop a more disabling form of mood disorder called postpartum depression.

This legislation encourages the continuation of research being done by Federal agencies as to the cause of postpartum depression and how it can be better treated. And with my colleagues, I stand in support of the legislation and hope my colleagues will join me.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank Congressman Engel and Congressman Terry for their efforts in the establishment of the ALS Registry Act. As we know, we have an annual event here in Congress when we get visits from members of the ALS organization, the association, and their advocates, but more importantly the citizens of this country who have been afflicted with Lou Gehrig's disease. It is gut-wrenching to watch knowing full well what a debilitating disease it is, and it knows no boundaries. As has been mentioned by my colleagues, perhaps 30,000 Americans, perhaps 1,000 in New York State alone, are suffering with ALS. I know a gentleman on Staten Island who helped to have built one of the largest banks in Staten Island, if not the largest, retiring, thinking he was going to enjoy his golden years, and soon after that became diagnosed with ALS. To watch the horrific progression over the last couple of years is, as I mentioned, gut-wrenching not

just to his friends but, I am sure, his family.

That is why I think it is important that Congress finally step up and act, and as a cosponsor of the legislation today, I am pleased to see it brought to the House floor today.

I would like to thank the tireless efforts of the ALS Association and advocates in educating and advocating for a cure, which is what we all want. Unfortunately, we know little about ALS, a disease that is diagnosed for 5,600 Americans each year. Without a cure and without treatments to slow the progression of the disease, as has been mentioned by Ms. Baldwin, the average life expectancy of a person is only 2 to 5 years. It is a death sentence once diagnosed. The rapid progression, lack of understanding about its cause, and debilitating nature of the disease make it particularly hard on those afflicted with ALS, as well as their family and friends.

We need to give scientists the tools they need to find the treatment and cure for ALS. The registry does just that. It creates a single, national patient registry to collect and store information on the prevalence of incidences of ALS in the U.S. We know of several research studies ongoing at the NIH and other private facilities, investigating possible risk factors that may be associated with ALS. Researchers are working to better determine what genetics and/or environmental factors are contributing to developing ALS.

While there has been incredible and groundbreaking advances in science that give hope to people with Lou Gehrig's disease and their families, this legislation will provide an important new link that will allow scientists to take emerging new discoveries ever closer to a cure. And I pray that one day we will have that cure so no families or individuals will be afflicted by this terrible disease.

Madam Speaker, I stand in support, urge adoption and reserve the balance of my time.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am told that my colleague has no further speakers, so I would close. And as I mentioned, I have been here now 10 years. I can recall a gentleman by the name of Gary Anderson coming up after being diagnosed, a friend from Staten Island, and passing after suffering for too long from ALS. It is a terrible indictment, Lou Gehrig's disease, that it is, and one day, as we say, perhaps this registry will get to a point where no longer will our fellow citizens have to suffer. So, for people like Gary Anderson, to this day, a gentleman I mentioned before, Harry Doherty, who is currently suffering as we speak, I would urge the adoption of this.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today as well in support of H.R. 1727, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, introduced by Representatives Baldwin, Bono, and Bilirakis. My colleague from Wisconsin stated very eloquently the statistics and the justification for this act, and it is long overdo. As was mentioned, the legislation would authorize the Director of the National Institutes of Health to coordinate paralysis research through the NIH Institutes and Centers.

Research would be focused on basic, translational, and multicenter networks of clinical sites focused on designing clinical rehabilitation protocols for one or more forms of paralysis. Such paralysis research would include paralysis from the central nervous system trauma, disorders, stroke, or any combination of such conditions. Additionally, the legislation would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for activities related to paralysis, including grants to establish paralysis registries and disseminate information to the public.

Madam Speaker, we have seen over the years how the Reeves served as strong advocates for the paralysis community, meeting with a wide variety of colleagues in the House and the Senate over the last several years. Their dignified presence in Washington will be greatly missed. I believe that through legislative initiatives such as this one the work done by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation will continue that work that was left unfinished, and will be done so in a respectful manner.

As the population continues to grow and to age, I think more and more of society will be confronted with the likes of paralysis. It is our job, and I think responsibility, to partner with the private sector to bring awareness, funding, and education to ensure that as few people as possible are brought down by this illness.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure and honor to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), a leader in this cause and a sponsor of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, let me just once again thank Mr. Bilirakis and, of course, his father for spearheading this when he was in the House, and Ms. Baldwin and Mrs. Bono for bringing this to the floor. We know how paralysis, especially sudden paralysis, can damage one's life and that of their family, and it becomes a lifelong commitment. Once again, I think Congress has a real fundamental responsibility to ensure we can bring as much peace and peace of mind to those families. With that, I urge the adoption of this bill.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 133, supporting the goals and ideals of a Long-Term Care Awareness Week. As designated, the first week in November is designed as the opportunity to educate Americans on the likelihood of one needing long-term care. Additionally, greater education is needed as to what types of long-term care programs are available and what the various costs of services are. Families should take this opportunity to discuss the options to help plan and pay for their future.

We know the baby boomer generation is now becoming eligible for Social Security, so it is sort of a wake-up call for what it will be, not just for having some financial independence, but what it would be and what it means to take care of dealing with their health care and the notion of rising health care costs. So the sooner one prepares, the better off they will be when they reach that age.

Madam Speaker, health care costs are increasing, people are living longer, and I think we have a real responsibility here to educate constituents who need to become actively involved in ways in which they can provide for their own future of health care, as well as the care of their family member. I stand in support of this and ask my colleagues to support the resolution as well.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to yield 2 minutes to the lead sponsor and a true champion of this effort in the House, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Boustany).

Madam Speaker, let me commend the gentlelady from South Dakota and the gentleman from Louisiana for bringing this to the floor.

I think what they said is totally accurate in the sense that as our population lives longer and lives more healthy lives, along with that comes an understanding and an obligation to begin preparing for those long-term health care needs as part of their retirement.

As I mentioned before, baby boomers officially begin to receive, for those early retirees, Social Security in just a few months. That population, as we know, is large. I just think the more we can emphasize and educate the people of this country on what their options can and should be as they retire, the better off we will be when that day arrives.

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

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

Madam Speaker, it is a dreaded word in the English language, and it is called ``cancer.'' Not a family in America is left unscathed or untouched by cancer and what it means to the families, and very often the terrible outcomes.

If there is a positive light, we know over the last several decades in particular, many health care professionals, organizations and groups have dedicated not just time and money and research, but their true passion to helping find a cure and treat cancer in many different ways.

I know on Staten Island this week we will have the annual breast cancer walk that will attract thousands of people, many of whom are survivors, and many who will work in remembrance and memorial of loved ones.

That is why I join my colleague, the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin), in support of H. Res. 448, expressing the sense of the House that there should be established a National Cancer Research Month. Perhaps it should be all year. I think it is important to at least acknowledge that National Cancer Research Month be this month.

The purpose of establishing this month is to provide an opportunity to better educate the public in an effort to make cancer research a national priority.

At the NIH, the National Cancer Institute conducts research into cancer in conjunction with numerous other institutes and centers. The NCI alone comprises one-third of the NIH's $30 billion budget. The work being done at the NIH towards cancer research is invaluable. Establishing a Cancer Research Month can help highlight what is being done by the scientific community and how the public can become involved.

While acknowledging and putting aside this month is important, what is even more important is continuing to support the research of those caring, compassionate health care professionals and researchers who will one day find the cure for all cancers, and that should be our wish and national goal and priority.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I join my colleague from Wisconsin in supporting the resolution, and ask Members to support the resolution.

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