Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum). Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, asbestos is a deadly poison. It can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma. Once detected, these patients survive only, on average, 8 to 14 months. It was true for Congressman Bruce Vento, who proudly served the families of Minnesota's Fourth District for more than 23 years in this House. Bruce was a friend, and he died from mesothelioma 8\1/2\ months after he was diagnosed. Congress has a responsibility to find real solutions to support mesothelioma victims and their families, but H.R. 985 would not support the families. In fact, it exposes families at a time of great vulnerableness. It exposes them by putting their identity, their name, their address, and the last four digits of their Social Security number on a public website--a public website--when this information has already been given in a confidential manner. It is especially outrageous to me that once again this legislation is on the floor and it fails to protect children who are victims of asbestos exposure from having their information shared publicly. Parents should have the peace of mind knowing that their child's privacy is secure and not on the internet where who knows who would be out possibly preying on them. I ask my colleagues to stand with me, stand with the mesothelioma victims, stand with their families, stand with their children, and oppose this bill, as they have asked me to do.”