Washington, D.C - Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) today voted in favor of House Concurrent Resolution 210, which expresses Congress’s support for eliminating suffering and death due to cancer by 2015.  Smith is a co-sponsor of the resolution.  The legislation passed in the House of Representatives tonight by a vote of 403 - 0.

“As a member of the House Cancer Caucus, I was glad to see my colleagues support the goal of ending suffering and death due to cancer by 2015,” Smith said.  “I will keep working with my colleagues in Congress to help provide the needed funds and make that goal a reality.”

Cancer now kills more Americans under the age of 85 than any other disease, including heart disease.  More than one million people are diagnosed with cancer each year.

Congress has yet to pass the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007 that would fund continued cancer research through the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute.  The House of Representatives is not expected to do so before adjourning until November so that Members may return to their districts.

Smith is pleased he will have a chance to meet tomorrow with Washington State residents, including constituents from the 9th Congressional District, as part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s Celebration on the Hill 2006.  These Celebration Ambassadors will call on Members of Congress to make a “Congressional Cancer Promise.”  The Promise outlines steps Congress can take to help end cancer suffering and related deaths.

Visiting Celebration Ambassadors from Washington State include:

• Tina Bodine (Lacey)
• Kristi Coppin-Arnold (Sumner)
• Kimberly Crawford (Federal Way)
• William Hagedorn (Puyallup)
• Cindi Mueller (Milton)
• Linda Russell (Puyallup)

“I commend my constituents for their dedication to ending a disease that affects so many families,” Smith said.  “I look forward to continuing to fight alongside them to end suffering and death from cancer by 2015.”

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