Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
Floor Speech
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Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend I had the honor of being back in my home State in Abilene, Kansas to honor our 34th President's 129th birthday, and to rededicate the newly remodeled Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum.
I got to see old friends. I got to play in an old-timers baseball game. I got to hear part of Ike's story through the eyes of his granddaughter, Mary Jean, and his great-grandson, Merrill Atwater.
I have had a special connection to this Presidential museum since I was 9 years old when my dad was honored to be part of the honor guard for Ike's funeral procession.
Though I have been to the Eisenhower Library and Museum numerous times, I was once again enthralled with Ike's story. I was so impressed with the beautiful new layout and the modernization of the museum. This is, indeed, a great place to take children, to help them learn about the story of America.
Ike's story, his words, his Kansas values from over 60 years ago, ring as true today as they did then. Ike, who was born on the wrong side of the track, literally, held hard work and education in the highest regard. He often spoke of his home as the heartland of America. He spoke of the value of being part of a community and a humble lifestyle.
Ike was a visionary in many ways. He is now credited as being one of the top five Presidents in American history, and perhaps one of the greatest commanding generals of all time.
He started the fight for civil rights. He started NASA, the FAA, as well as the Department of Education. And, of course, he was responsible for the Interstate Highway System which we rely upon today. But of all the things which I saw, what struck the loudest chord was Ike's battle to end war, or as he called it ``waging peace.'' In Ike's words, ``I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can . . . `'
Ike was the first one to coin the phrase ``peace through strength.''
Ike went on to say: ``Our economic strength and military strength are our Nation's shields--without which peace could never be preserved, nor freedom defended.''
Dwight D. Eisenhower embodied the American ideal of success through hard work, opportunity, and a purposeful life. I am thrilled this great American and Kansan will soon be honored with a national monument here in Washington, D.C. to celebrate his life and legacy. Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, for over 30 years, I wore a pink tie like the one I have on today to work almost every day. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but what most people don't realize, is that one out of eight women develop breast cancer in their life.
As an obstetrician and gynecologist, I have had to tell hundreds of women that very bad news. That is why I try to remember every October, remember to encourage women to go get their mammogram done. If you are over the age of 35 and it has been over a year since your last mammogram, please call your physician's office, talk to a nurse and ask her: Is it time for you to go get your next mammogram done?
I think it is good for us to talk about risk factors for breast cancer, and, of course, everyone knows that the risk of a family member having breast cancer increases your risk, and that may encourage you to get your mammogram done more often and at a younger age.
If you have more than one first-degree relative with breast cancer, you want to talk to your doctor about some genetic studies to see if, indeed, you are carrying some type of a gene mutation that would increase your risk for breast cancer.
But there are other risk factors as well that people don't often think about. A poor diet that is high in fat increases your risk of breast cancer; obesity increases your risk of breast cancer; lack of exercise increases your risk of breast cancer; smoking increases your risk of breast cancer; and a history of radiation exposure to the chest increases your risk of breast cancer.
So a good diet, regular exercise--30 minutes of walking every day-- will decrease your risk. What people often ask me about, though, are the ways that you can prevent breast cancer and decrease your risk. I have already mentioned a good diet and exercise, but breastfeeding also protects you and decreases your risk for breast cancer, one more reason why women should consider breastfeeding when they have their baby.
But what I want to emphasize today is that most new people diagnosed with breast cancer had no risk factors. Let me say that again: Most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no risk factor at all. That is why it is important to get your mammogram done on a regular basis.
The mammogram can pick up breast cancer 2 or 3 years before you can feel something, making the cancer much more treatable.
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