Tammy Baldwin

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 970, the Dextromethorphan Distribution Act of 2007. Dextromethorphan, commonly known as DXM or DEX, is an active ingredient in many over-the-counter cough and cold medications. When used as directed, DEX has proven to be an effective cough suppressant; but sadly, an alarming number of teenagers and young adults are abusing prescription and over-the-counter medications by taking much larger than recommended doses to get high. H.R. 970 attempts to curb the misuse and abuse of DEX by restricting the sale, purchase, trade, and distribution of DEX to registered producers of drugs and devices. The legislation is aimed at preventing would-be drug dealers from purchasing DEX wholesale and selling it over the Internet and on the streets. Similar legislation passed the House during the 109th Congress but was not enacted into law. Today, we renew our commitment to America's young people by passing this legislation. We are also reminding parents and guardians to remain vigilant in the often difficult task of talking with our young people about drug misuse and abuse. Even if your child does not abuse products containing DEX or any other over-the-counter medications, odds suggest that they know somebody who does. I want to acknowledge and commend our colleagues, particularly Congressman Fred Upton and Congressman Rick Larsen, for their committed work on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 970. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my colleague from New York, Congressman Bishop.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I am now proud to yield 5 minutes to my colleague, the author of this resolution, the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. McCarthy).

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 524) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to Diamond-Blackfan Anemia, as amended.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, in closing, I think my colleagues have most eloquently made the case for support of this resolution. IPF is a debilitating disease and increased awareness will certainly move us closer to finding the answers to the many unanswered questions surrounding IPF. Again, I commend my colleague Mr. Deal for his authorship and urge passage of this resolution. Madam Speaker, I yield back the remainder of my time.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I am delighted to yield 5 minutes to my friend and colleague from Washington State (Mr. Baird).

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 182, recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, treatment and eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, IPF, supporting the goals and ideals of National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Week, and for other purposes. IPF is a debilitating and generally fatal disease which afflicts more than 128,000 Americans, with more than 48,000 new cases diagnosed each year. IPF is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and is a disease marked by progressive scarring of the lungs, causing an irreversible loss of the lung tissue's ability to transport oxygen. The legislation before us today recognizes the need to pursue research into the causes of IPF. H. Con. Res. 182 expresses support for the work of advocates and organizations in educating, supporting and providing hope for individuals who suffer from the disease and supports the designation of National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week. This is an important piece of legislation, and I would like to commend my colleague and friend Mr. Deal for all of his hard work on this issue. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution now under consideration.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 182) recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, and an eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, supporting the goals and ideals of National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week, and for other purposes.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. As our Nation's researchers continue to move us closer to a cure for cancer, it is important for us to recognize the work that these researchers do. Each piece of research, each project is a vital part of the solution that we will achieve when a cure is discovered. I thank my colleague, Mr. Matheson, for his work on this issue and urge passage of the resolution.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time to close.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 448, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Cancer Research Month. Preventing and ultimately finding a cure for cancer is a major public health challenge. The resolution before us calls for the establishment of a National Cancer Research Month, a time to bring public awareness of the nearly 200 forms of cancer and bring hope and a cure that cancer research provides. Providing a National Cancer Research Month will remind us that basic, clinical, epidemiological, and behavioral research are integral to identifying causes and developing strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cures for cancer. This resolution also highlights the contributions of the American Association for Cancer Research, an organization that has been on the forefront of cancer research for more than 100 years. The American Association for Cancer Research was founded in 1907 by a group of 11 physicians and scientists interested in cancer research. As the oldest and largest scientific organization in the world focused on every aspect of high quality, innovative cancer research, the American Association for Cancer Research has established a reputation for scientific breadth and excellence as premier researchers in the field. Today, the American Association for Cancer Research accelerates progress towards the prevention and cure of cancer by promoting research, education, communication, and advocacy and fostering the exchange of knowledge and new ideas among scientists dedicated to cancer research, providing training opportunities for the next generation of cancer researchers and increasing public understanding of cancer. On this, their centennial year of service, we commend the work of the American Association for Cancer Research and applaud their effort to make cancer research a national and international priority. We owe a debt of gratitude to organizations like the American Association for Cancer Research for their contributions in advancing the public awareness of cancer and for excellence among its membership in the field of cancer research. I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson), for his work in raising this important issue, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 448) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Cancer Research Month, and for other purposes.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I too want to add my words of congratulations to the bill's authors, the gentlewoman from South Dakota and the gentleman from Louisiana. I know from my own personal experience you are never fully prepared for having to make some of these choices on behalf of loved ones, and it can happen at any time. We are going to be very well-served by the passage of this bill to increase awareness among people of all age groups about the decisions and options they have. We have to understand that long-term care is part of the continuum of health care in this country. More education is needed. I recommend its passage. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the bill's author, the gentlewoman from South Dakota (Ms. Herseth Sandlin).

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 133, supporting the goals and ideals of a Long-Term Care Awareness Week. Long-term care is an often overlooked part of the continuum of care for many Americans, and many of us find ourselves ill informed and ill prepared to make choices for our own long-term care needs and those of our loved ones. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, long- term care represents a variety of services that include medical and nonmedical care for people who have a chronic illness or disability. Most long-term care is to assist people with the activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, and using the bathroom. It is important to remember that you may need long-term care at any age. The need for support and health services for persons who have diminished capacity for self-care is projected to strain both public and private resources. Madam Speaker, H. Con. Res. 133 calls for public education about the need for long-term care so that people of all ages throughout our Nation are better prepared to meet their own long-term care needs. Planning for long-term care requires us to think about possible future health care needs. Making the right decision about long-term care requires us to look at all of the options before us and to make informed decisions. I want to recognize and thank my colleague from South Dakota (Ms. Herseth Sandlin) for introducing this resolution and carrying it to the floor. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of it. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and exclude extraneous material on the concurrent resolution under consideration.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 133) supporting the goals and ideals of a Long-Term Care Awareness Week.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, in closing, as we remember Christopher Reeve just after the third anniversary of his passing, we honor him by having the House consider today and pass one of the truly first comprehensive bills focused on paralysis research and care for those who are paralyzed. I urge Members to strongly support this bill.

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.