John Kerry: “Today, I am joining Congressman Greg Meeks to submit a Senate resolution aimed at raising awareness of the prostate…”

“Today, I am joining Congressman Greg Meeks to submit a Senate resolution aimed at raising awareness of the prostate cancer crisis among African-American men. This Resolution urges Congress to provide the funds necessary to prevent and fight the disease, and to encourage African-American men to get screened. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related death for African-American men. They have the highest incidence and mortality rate due to prostate cancer of any ethnic or racial group. African-American men are dying at a rate of 140 percent--almost 2 rac{1}{2} times--higher than other groups. That is the largest disparity for any major cancer. No person of any race should have to suffer unnecessarily from a disease we have the medical science and moral obligation to prevent, detect, and treat. It should no longer rob sons, daughters, and wives of their fathers, husbands, and loved ones. Just as the doctrine of 'separate but equal,' was wrong in education, it is wrong in health care. We have to reform the system so that the quality of health care for every American never depends on the color of any American's skin. We need to fund more research and greater outreach efforts. For this reason, I urge every member of Congress to support this resolution.”