Political Quotes

“I rise tonight to discuss important legislation which I filed this week which really makes a difference in the lives of women across the country. I speak of the Laurie Beechman Memorial Act. Together with legislation I have worked on with the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Mrs. Patsy Mink), our legislation is a brave, new, ambitious attempt to eradicate ovarian cancer in our lifetime. Together with the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Mrs. Mink) and others, we have introduced legislation to increase by $90 million per year money for a cure for ovarian cancer. Up until this point, Mr. Speaker, ovarian cancer is not detected in any early stages, and of course, therefore, it makes it more difficult for us to keep the patient alive and to have a cure. The Laurie Beechman Memorial Act will have two facets, in addition to the research. It will have an Information and Education Act, which will increase funding for educational and outreach programs, including those which provide information to both the person with the illness as well as their family, and will provide $10 million annually from 1999 through 2003 for the purpose of this outreach program. Mr. Speaker, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among U.S. women. It is treatable when detected early, but the vast majority of cases, as I said, are not diagnosed until it is too late. Raising public awareness of ovarian cancer by educating doctors and women about the disease can save lives and will save lives.”