Supporting Goals and Ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

SUPPORTING GOALS AND IDEALS OF PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH -- (House of Representatives - November 16, 2004)

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 641) supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, this year, approximately 28,000 people will die from cancer of the pancreas. Most pancreatic cancers arise from the ductal cells of the pancreas. The pancreas, an organ situated deep in the abdominal cavity, serves several critical functions, including the production of enzymes that are delivered to the small intestine to aid in the digestion of food and the control of sugar levels in the body.

Unlike other types of cancer where progress is being made to treat the disease, the medical community continues to be baffled by pancreatic cancer. Close to 99 percent of those diagnosed will die from the disease.

It is imperative that we work together to raise awareness about this fatal disease. Therefore, I join with my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) to voice my strong support for H. Res. 641, a bill supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

The journey to find a cure for pancreatic cancer will certainly be a long and difficult one. However, I am pleased that the Pancreatic Cancer Network, known as PANCAN, has worked diligently since 1999 to focus national attention on the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. This organization believes that with hard work and cooperation from government a cure for pancreatic cancer will be discovered. I share this view.

It is very important that we signal to the American people and to those struggling with this terrible disease that we are indeed serious about finding a cure. Designating November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month will serve to help educate communities across the Nation about pancreatic cancer and the need for research funding, early detection methods, effective treatments and preventive programs.

So, Madam Speaker, again I want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) for his tireless effort on this important issue and urge that we all join with him in supporting H. Res. 641.

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

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