Political Quotes

“I thank the distinguished Congressman from New Jersey, Congressman Lance, for having this very special Special Order this evening and my friends, Congressmen Brian Higgins, Chuck Fleischmann, and John Carney, for sponsoring this evening's Special Order to recognize the 50th anniversary of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. One would wonder what seven physicians were doing some 50 years ago. And I am glad that they came together to recognize the vibrance and the vitality of their specialty and the importance of gathering together. They had their first real meeting with 51 physicians in November of 1964. And I am glad that they organized because, as we watch the progression of research and care in the treatment of cancer, we owe a great deal to them. Let me tell you why: because when they founded this organization in 1964, cancer was perceived as largely untreatable. In fact, even today, we still have the remnants of that fear when you get that diagnosis. Many people call it the big C. There is trepidation and fear. And I would say to you that when those physicians organized in 1964, they understood the awesome and ominous task that they had. Only a handful of hard-to-tolerate and mostly ineffective therapies were even available.…”