* Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While I'm sure I am not the only member to come before you and recognize the importance of breast cancer research, I feel it is necessary for me to discuss the benefits that come from continued funding for a disease that affects 300,000 women every year.
* Aside from recognizing the important work done by the many Breast Cancer Organizations around the country, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the Breast Cancer Survivorship Center that is part of the University of Kansas Cancer Center. While the KU Cancer Center does important research into early detection and treatment of breast cancer, the Survivorship Center is an important facility for women who have been diagnosed and have gone through or are currently being treated for breast cancer. Specifically, this facility helps women cope with various treatments, assists them with complications, helps them to manage side effects. I applaud the KU Cancer Center for the tremendous progress they have made and the thousands of lives they have saved.
* One of the most reassuring aspects of discussing breast cancer is when we can talk about survivors. The continued decrease in the mortality rate of women diagnosed with breast cancer is due in large part to remaining focused on the need to find a cure. The progress that has been made in finding a cure for breast cancer has been made possible through very generous donations by the American public, but also through funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH).
* As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am pleased that Appropriations Committee Chairman HAL ROGERS and Subcommittee Chairman DENNIS REHBERG recognized the value of the work being performed by the NIH. I am particularly pleased that the House version of the FY 2012 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill provides robust funding for NIH, and its efforts to fight cancer. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee as the House and Senate negotiate the FY 2012 Appropriations bills.
http://thomas.loc.gov/
