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Bilirakis Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Measure |
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WASHINGTON (10 Oct.) -- In
observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, U.S. Rep. Gus M.
Bilirakis (R-Fla.), a member of the Congressional Cancer Caucus, today
signed on as an original co-sponsor of a resolution (H. Res. 320) that
would bring greater attention to this deadly disease.
H. Res.
320 supports the observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
salutes the more than 2.4 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.
and the efforts of victims, volunteers and professionals who combat the
disease each day. Despite being a leading cause of death among women,
particularly between the ages of 45 and 54, detection in the early
stages has yielded a more than 98 percent overall survival rate.
"Over
the years, an effort to raise awareness and education of breast cancer
has grown into a national movement of pink, which has come to signify
the color of its supporters," said Bilirakis who shaved his head in
August to raise awareness for the work of the American Cancer Society's
Southeast Hillsborough Unit and to demonstrate support for those
battling cancer. "The success of this movement is without question, and
all of those who work to bring this issue to the forefront of the
American public should be applauded for their hard work."
Earlier
this week, Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis (R-VA) died after a nearly two
year battle with breast cancer. Bilirakis spoke about Davis's passing
and used the opportunity to encourage more awareness
"I am
saddened by the loss of my colleague Jo Ann Davis, who succumbed to
breast cancer this past week," said Bilirakis. "Her courage and
leadership in raising awareness of this disease, as well as her
two-year battle against this disease until her death, is a reminder of
the struggle millions of women and men face each year. It is incumbent
upon Congress to demonstrate their commitment to breast cancer
awareness and education by passing this resolution."
In addition
to being an original co-sponsor of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month
resolution, Bilirakis has supported other efforts to combat the
disease, including his vote in support of the National Breast and
Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act, H.R. 1132,
which provides grant money to reduce the mortality rate from breast and
cervical cancer.
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