Sheila Jackson Lee: “I appreciate it. Let me just say, breast cancer accounts for one in four cancer diagnoses among women. The American…”

“I appreciate it. Let me just say, breast cancer accounts for one in four cancer diagnoses among women. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2011, more than 26,000 African American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and another 6,000 will die. This impacts all women, of all backgrounds, and my interest is to make sure that every subset has a seat at the table, Chairman Young, so that no matter what ethnic background you come from, you will not, in essence, suffer the opportunity for full research. My amendment was $500,000. It is in tribute to the honor and the leadership and the life of Yolanda Williams. I would like to ask my colleagues here on the Appropriations Committee to allow me to engage with you and to possibly modify, as we go forward, language to just say that this money will be available for difficult strains of cancer so that her life will be honored and that we would be able to move forward. In conclusion, I would indicate that I had the privilege and honor of paying tribute to Ms. Williams at her home-going service. I want to offer to her family again, her husband, her children, her mother and all her family members, my deepest sympathy for this valiant American woman. With that, I know that we will work together. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment #67 to H.R.…”