Michael Burgess

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 292) to maximize discovery, and accelerate development and availability, of promising childhood cancer treatments, and for other purposes.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials into the Record on the bill.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today, we are here to debate the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research Act, also known as the Childhood Cancer STAR Act. Each of us knows someone who has suffered from cancer, whether it is a family member, friend, patient, or loved one. It is especially heart- wrenching to watch children go through a cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment. The bill we are considering today is for our children, the future of our Nation. I would like to acknowledge and thank my fellow Texan, Congressman Michael McCaul, for leading our work to deliver hope to America's youngest cancer patients. Congress has done remarkable work to pass legislation such as the 21st Century Cures Act, which provided Americans with great hope that increased investment in biomedical research would lead to treatment and even cures for our most devastating diseases. The 21st Century Cures Act authorized over $4.5 billion in new funding for the National Institutes of Health, including nearly $2 billion for the Cancer Moonshot. The Childhood Cancer STAR Act builds upon the mission of 21st Century Cures but focuses on empowering the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to increase the amount of research and surveillance for cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults. Groundbreaking discoveries rely on robust and reliable investment in research, and this requires robust and reliable dollars for research. This bill authorizes $30 million a year through fiscal year 2023 for the National Childhood Cancer Registry, which will provide grant funding for the purpose of collecting information to better understand the epidemiology of cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults. The bill also authorizes the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health to make awards that will support childhood cancer biorepositories, giving physicians and researchers tools to better understand these diseases. Mr. Speaker, it is vital that physicians and their teams can provide comprehensive and coordinated care for pediatric cancer patients. The bill allows the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to establish pilot programs to develop, study, or evaluate model systems to improve the quality and the efficiency of care for childhood cancer survivors. It also provides for greater efficiency and coordination of care for those survivors as they transition into adulthood and for the Secretary to work with experts to identify best practices. Similarly, this bill gives the National Institutes of Health Director the authority to make grants to programs that conduct or support research relating to pediatric cancer survivors. As I have said, this legislation is for our children. It is for the families that are building our Nation's future. If we can ensure that these young patients receive treatment and cures for childhood cancer, they may grow up to become biomedical researchers who will find the next generation of cures; they may write the next great American classic; they may become prima ballerinas, Olympic athletes, or all of the above. This legislation is for kids like Sadie. Sadie was diagnosed with ALL, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, on February 25, 2015. She was just 7 years old at the time. This young north Texan fought through infections, blood transfusions, and rare side effects. She missed out on second grade and she missed out on third grade as she underwent weekly chemotherapy sessions. Today, it is my great joy to share that Sadie beat the odds and Sadie survived leukemia. She received her last chemotherapy treatment May 26, 2017. Now, at 10 years old, Sadie is able to live the life of a normal kid. I would like to thank Sadie and her family for their willingness to share their story and for their advocacy in support of this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I met Sadie in my office last spring, and I was inspired by her story. She started a nonprofit, the Sadie Keller Foundation, to raise money to help other kids who are facing cancer. Her mission is pretty simple. It is to put a smile on the faces of children fighting cancer all over the country and to remind them to keep fighting. So, today, I urge Members of Congress to support this important bipartisan legislation. In sending this bill to the President's desk, we will help Sadie achieve her mission of putting a smile on the faces of children fighting cancer. We will provide families across this country with hope for a better tomorrow. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden), the chairman of the full committee.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Lance), vice chairman of one of our subcommittees.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, fellow Texan, and the principal author of the bill that we have before us today.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe).

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to express my strong support for S. 292, the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research Act of 2018, Childhood Cancer STAR Act. And, once again, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), for spearheading this effort. I urge all my colleagues to support the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden), the chairman of the full committee.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 905, I call up the bill (S. 204) to authorize the use of unapproved medical products by patients diagnosed with a terminal illness in accordance with State law, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material into the Record on the bill.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton), the vice chairman of the full committee and chairman emeritus of the Energy and Commerce Committee. (Mr. BARTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), a valuable member of the Health Subcommittee.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs).

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Arizona.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick), another principal author of the bill.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. Mr. Speaker, I want to read from the Statement of Administration Policy that was put out by the Executive Office of the President. The last paragraph: Since the late 1980s, the Food and Drug Administration has facilitated access to investigational drugs, devices, and biological products for the treatment of seriously ill patients. Families in these situations have sometimes found this process challenging, and the Food and Drug Administration is constantly striving to make improvements to its expanded access program. Some patients and their families, however, still have challenges accessing investigational treatments. The administration believes that the treatment decisions for those facing terminal illnesses are best made by the patients with the support and the guidance of their treating physicians. This legislation will advance those principles. Mr. Speaker, that is from the Statement of Administration Policy, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, on January 30 of this year, the President of the United States came to this House and addressed a joint session of the House and Senate in the State of the Union address, and he said, right from that podium, ``People who are terminally ill should not have to go from country to country to seek a cure. I want to give them a chance right here at home. It is time for Congress to give these wonderful Americans the right to try.'' Mr. Speaker, I couldn't say it any better than the President has already put it. The Right to Try Act is before us. It is a good bill. The House needs to support it, and it will go to the President for his signature. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I claim the time in opposition to the motion.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, while the motion to recommit may be well intentioned, it has a practical effect of killing this bill because the Senate has rejected House attempts to refine the Senate bill that was passed by unanimous consent last August. So if you want to provide that right to try for patients, this is the vehicle. Now, interestingly enough, the Food and Drug Administration Administrator, this morning, Dr. Gottlieb, put out a statement. He said that he is: ``. . . ready to implement it in a way that achieves Congress' intent to promote access and protect patients; and build on FDA's longstanding commitment to these important goals.'' Mr. Speaker, I urge people to vote against the motion to recommit and vote for the underlying bill. Let's give patients that expanded access, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Greater Denton Arts Council as it celebrates its 50th Anniversary as the home for Denton's artists and community organizations. The Greater Denton Arts Council traces its roots back to 1967, when the Denton Chamber of Commerce formed a Fine Arts and Cultural Affairs Committee to demonstrate its support of the arts. In 1969, this committee became an independent entity and renamed itself the Greater Denton Arts Council (GDAC), becoming the umbrella organization for area arts, cultural and educational entities. To address the need for a permanent arts facility in Denton, an ad hoc committee began planning in 1973 to reach that goal. A lease was finally negotiated by the GDAC in 1981 to convert several existing industrial buildings located at the southwest corner of East Hickory St. and South Bell Ave. Renovations began in 1984 to convert the warehouse located at the southwest corner of the intersection into what would become the Center for the Visual Arts (CVA). The CVA opened to the public with its first art exhibition in the Meadows Gallery. In 2014, the CVA was subsequently renamed the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center. The GDAC also renovated the Campus Theatre building in the 1990s, converting the 1,200 seat movie house into a 300 seat live theatre and performance venue. In doing so, the GDAC preserved the unique late-deco design features of the structure and established a suitable local venue to support performing organizations. In the decades since its inception, GDAC venues have provided local Denton County audiences with high-quality permanent and temporary exhibitions for local and national artists. Additionally, the GDAC has served as an umbrella organization for collaborative efforts with area universities, the Denton Independent School District and the City of Denton, including programs such as the ``Get Started with the Arts'' program to introduce Denton elementary students to classical music, visual arts, professional theater, ballet and opera. GDAC has been an integral part of the annual Congressional Art Contest since 2003, serving as host of the annual High School Art Contest for the 26th District of Texas. Each year the GDAC has staged the exhibition and hosted the recognition reception for hundreds of North Texas students, their parents, and teachers following this professionally-judged contest. As the GDAC meets for the presentation of the Community Arts Recognition Award (CARA) to this year's recipients, I extend my deepest appreciation on behalf of the constituents of the 26th District of Texas. The commitments of those recognized this year, along with the past and future honorees, are well-deserved for their role in support of educational and cultural mission of GDAC and the artistic and cultural presence that makes Denton, Texas such a unique place to call home.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Deborah Leliaert, Vice President for University Relations and Planning, as she retires from her position at the University of North Texas. Ms. Leliaert joined UNT in 1992 as director of news while attending UNT's Toulouse Graduate School. In 1996, she advanced to associate vice president for marketing and communication and UNT System associate vice chancellor for communications and marketing. She held this title until 2001 when the UNT System Board of Regents approved the creation of associate vice president for university relations. Ms. Leliaert was promoted into this new role to oversee the university's communications and marketing as well as visitor and public relations. She continued in this capacity as associate vice chancellor for communications and marketing for the UNT System. In a career spanning more than a quarter century of UNT's history, Ms. Leliaert witnessed a tremendous period of growth, challenge, and celebration, serving six presidents and three chancellors as the institution's chief internal and external spokesperson through much of this time. This window of UNT's history included its acceptance as a full member of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities; countless new programs and building projects; new campuses; recognition of UNT as an emerging research institution and the development of ground-breaking relationships for the University through research efforts and public partnerships such as exists with UNT's current relationship with the Dallas Cowboys. Managing much of the marketing and communications involved in supporting UNT's brand management and institutional reputation, Ms. Leliaert also supported UNT's ambitious student recruitment and retention objectives for a campus that has grown by almost 20 percent in only the second half of her tenure with UNT. Her efforts to bolster UNT in the media intersected with the rapid rise of social media and modern transformation of the media landscape. Ms. Leliaert's talents, particularly her eloquence and skill to respond in times of crisis, will be sorely missed by the UNT community. As a proud UNT alumnus, I thank her for her contributions as a long- serving member of UNT's staff, and I wish her much happiness as she commences her retirement after a significant and successful career.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Denton County, Texas and members of the Denton County Chambers of Commerce leadership delegation who have traveled here to Washington, D.C. These local officials and business leaders understand that policy made in Washington impacts our local communities at home. During this productive visit, the group is meeting with members of leadership here in Congress, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, as well as Senator Ted Cruz and Representatives from Texas and across the country. Additionally, these leaders are meeting with members of the U.S. Chamber of Congress and other national business leaders. They also have had the opportunity to visit the White House and the Federal Bureau of Investigations Headquarters. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following names of the Denton County delegation: Rachel Bagley, Barry Bonds, Kevin Bryant, Fred Busche, Kevin Cruser, Andrew Eads, Lori Fickling, Barbara Fleming, Monica Glenn, Ken Heerman, Gary Henderson, Donna Hernandez, Kelly Heslep. Cindi Howard, Dan Irvin, Roy Jackson, Dan Jaworski, Brandon Jones, James Kunke, Sunny Lindsey, Mike Lombardo, Jana Onstead, Nate Prevost, Ryan Schroer, Lori Walker, Neal Walker, Charlotte Wilcox.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the gentleman for calling this Special Order hour to honor the life and legacy of his constituent, Barbara Pierce Bush, whom we lost last week. I am certainly proud to stand with my colleague from Texas to honor the life and the legacy of our former First Lady Barbara Bush. From Rye, New York, to west Texas, to the West Wing, Mrs. Bush served her family and her country with integrity, strength, and grace. She, indeed, was a member of the Greatest Generation and spent her life in service to others. It is incredible to reflect. She was only the second woman in our Nation's history to be both the wife and the mother of a United States President. Mrs. Bush joined Abigail Adams in an exclusive club of those who have advised our Nation's Chief Executives long before they reached the Oval Office. In her capacity as First Lady, Mrs. Bush used her influence to enact positive change. Although her name was never on a ballot, the American people chose Mrs. Bush as a leader and as a role model. Just yesterday, the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee marked up more than 50 bills that offer solutions to what is currently a significant crisis in our country dealing with deaths caused by opioids, a devastating epidemic that has touched literally every neighborhood in our Nation. Combating this crisis requires not only legislation, but compassion and understanding. But years ago, in her work to help the most vulnerable, Mrs. Bush epitomized such compassion. I actually mentioned this at the start of yesterday's markup in committee. A significant part of Mrs. Bush's legacy will always be her simple embrace of a child with HIV/AIDS at a clinic at a time when the illness was not well understood and, I dare say, the illness was feared by most people in the country. This simple act, this simple embrace, to reach out and pick up a child at an HIV/ AIDS clinic, helped to destigmatize HIV/AIDS in American culture. It was a seemingly small, but a powerful, gesture in 1989. Then Mrs. Bush paved the way for acceptance of patients with HIV/ AIDS, their families, and they were moved out of the shadows and could begin to look at treatment options. The world is vastly different today for the patient with HIV/AIDS because of that simple act of compassion evidenced by Mrs. Bush. As Congress now considers how best to end the opioid crisis and other human dignity issues before us, I hope we can remember and follow Mrs. Bush's unwavering dedication to always do what is right. I am certainly proud to join my fellow Texan from Houston honoring his constituent tonight and expressing our condolences to former President George H.W. Bush and the rest of the Bush family and celebrating the wonderful life of former First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush.