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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Renée Gaines
Friday, August 3, 2001
(626) 332-2255
NEWS FROM CONGRESS -- TWO
HOUSES UNITED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER
Broad Bi-Partisan Support to
Extend the Life of First Fundraising Postage Stamp in US History
- Congressman David Dreier, Congresswomen Sue Kelly and Juanita Millender-McDonald
introduce legislation joined by Congressman Dan Burton and 122 additional
co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. Legislation in the Senate
also has strong momentum. -
COVINA, CA United States Congressman
David Dreier (R-28-CA), Congresswoman Sue Kelly (R-19-NY) and
Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-37-CA) along with over 1/4 of
the US House of Representatives have come together in a strong show of
bi-partisan support to save a first of its kind postage stamp designed to
save lives that is slated to be discontinued by the US Postal Service in
July 2002. The historic Breast Cancer Research Stamp spearheaded by
the Covina based WIN Against Breast Cancer organization has raised over
$21.5 million to date to fund breast cancer research at the National
Institutes of Health and Department of Defense breast cancer research
programs. The awareness raised as a result of this country¹s first
fundraising stamp continues to be priceless.
U.S. Representatives David Dreier, Sue Kelly and
Juanita Millender-McDonald last night delivered a powerful dose of hope to
save the special stamp when they introduced legislation to extend the life
of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp for an additional 6 years. Joining
Representatives Kelly, Dreier and Millender-McDonald, was Congressman Dan
Burton (R-6-IN), Chairman of the Committee on Government Reform and
Oversight, a long-time champion of this special stamp and the cause that it
represents.
An unprecedented 122 additional US Representatives
came on as original co-sponsors of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp Act of
2001 in a major move to save the stamp designed to save lives which is
slated to be taken off the market next year despite continued strong sales
and millions of dollars raised for research.
"The breast cancer research stamp is a great
way for consumers to donate funds to fight a terrible disease that touches
the lives of so many Americans", said Congressman David Dreier.
" I am very proud to represent WIN Against Breast Cancer, an
organization that has helped to lead the way."
"This stamp represents one of the easiest
methods to raise funds to battle breast cancer. By purchasing this
stamp, Americans have already shown their commitment to combating this
affliction more than 300 million times, raising over $21 million", said
Congresswoman Sue Kelly. "To allow production of the stamp to
lapse at a time when sales remain strong would be a mistake. Through this
legislation, we can continue the fight against breast cancer."
As the third anniversary for the stamp was marked
this past week, the news had looked grim for the historic Breast Cancer
Research Stamp¹s survival until Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congressman
David Dreier stepped in to spearhead legislation in the Senate and House to
keep the stamp going. The Breast Cancer Research Stamp Act of 2001 had
nearly 80 Senators on board as co-sponsors within hours of the bill¹s
introduction last week by Senators Feinstein and Kay Bailey Hutchison
(R-TX).
"Virtually everywhere I travel, people tell me they buy these beautiful
stamps in the hopes of helping to find a cure for breast cancer,"
Senator Feinstein said. "As we celebrate the third anniversary of its
introduction, this stamp has raised $21.5 million dollars for research as
over 300 million stamps have been purchased -- that's more than one for
every American."
"The millions in additional funds raised by the
breast cancer research stamp have been instrumental in the battle against
this terrible disease," Senator Hutchison said. "Each time
this stamp is used, we send a clear message that by working together we can
make a difference in the war against breast cancer."
With visionary leadership, Feinstein and Dreier
worked together with Representatvies Sue Kelly and Juanita Millender-McDonald
to bring identical legislation to the House of Representatives. The
Breast Cancer Research Stamp Act of 2001 now has strong momentum in both
houses of Congress over 3/4 of the Senate and over 1/4 of the House of
Representatives before the ink was dry in the Congressional Record following
each bill¹s introduction.
"One stamp at a time and pennies at a time, the
American people have come together to raise millions of dollars, awareness
and hope to the all too many still searching for a cure to this rampant
disease that has become a blight on our nation," said Betsy Mullen of
WIN Against Breast Cancer, a leading proponent of the Breast Cancer Research
Stamp. "The public support for this stamp has been unparalleled.
We urge swift passage through Congress and undiminished support from
individuals and corporations throughout our country to ensure the stamp¹s
survival and continued success. The United States Congress and the
American people now represent the lifeline for this landmark stamp,"
said Mullen. "We encourage the public to continue to buy the
stamp and to call their members of Congress to voice their strong support
for the Breast Cancer Research Stamp Act of 2001 S.1256 and HR.
2725 ," said Mullen.
The United States Postal Service announced in June
of this year that it plans to pull the Breast Cancer Research Stamp off the
market next year in July 2002 in spite of continued strong pubic support,
continued strong sales and the stamp¹s ability to generate public awareness
and vital funds for research. The net proceeds from sales of the
Breast Cancer Research Stamp benefit breast cancer research at the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DoD) Breast Cancer
Research Programs. Breast Cancer Research Stamps can be purchased by
calling 1-800-STAMP 24 and on-line at: http://shop.usps.com
(Product search keywords: Breast Cancer Research Stamp)
Women¹s Information Network Against Breast Cancer is a national non-profit
organization committed to increasing public awareness about breast cancer
and ensuring that individuals from all cultural and socioeconomic
backgrounds have rapid access to quality breast cancer care,
state-of-the-art education, support and information about this disease.
For more information about WIN ABC, its programs and services, please
visit WIN¹s web site at www.winabc.org.
To learn more about the National Institutes of
Health Breast Cancer Research Program and the National Cancer Institute¹s
(NCI) breast cancer research grants derived from the stamp, visit: http://newscenter.cancer.gov/pressreleases/stampawards.html
To learn more about the Breast Cancer Research Stamp
and the involvement of the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research
Program, visit: http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/factsheets/bcstampfactsheet.htm
The continuation of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp
is supported by numerous individuals representing diverse organizations,
including The National Association for Women's Health; The March of Dimes
Birth Defects Foundation; The American Association of Retired Persons; The
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; The YWCA of the USA; The Brain
Injury Association; The Center on Disability and Health; The Pancreatic
Cancer Action Network, Inc.; The American Lung Association of California;
The American Association of Health Plans and The Women¹s Information
Network (WIN) Against Breast Cancer.
Last Updated: 06/01/2004
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