KatieB Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 LANDMARK CANCER BILLS PASS IN TEXAS LEGISLATURE Voters to Decide if Texas becomes Worldwide Cancer Research Leader AUSTIN, Texas - May 24, 2007 - The House concurred today with the Senate-passed version of HJR 90, which assures a public vote on November 6 and offers Texans an opportunity to approve $3 billion in general obligation bonds that would provide $300 million a year for cancer research in Texas. The companion legislation, HB 14, also passed the House and Senate and awaits Gov. Rick Perry's signature. Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor and founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF), testified at the Capitol Friday evening in support of the bill. "This is one of the proudest days of my life as a Texan," Armstrong said. "This legislation is a bold commitment to invest in cancer prevention and research over the next ten years. I am confident that the people of Texas will overwhelmingly choose to make Texas a worldwide leader in cancer prevention and research." If voters concur in November, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas would fund research to prevent, detect and treat cancer. The legislation will also expand important cancer prevention, early detection and control programs funded by the Texas Cancer Council. "This significant legislative success is the result of a united force to make cancer a priority in the state of Texas and, ultimately, nationally," said Doug Ulman, president of the LAF. "We celebrate this victory with the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Kill Cancer and the Texas Medical Association, and we are proud to be part of the coalition that supported this critical initiative." Ulman continued: "When the scientific research, public health, non-profit and public sector communities collaborate, we can better ensure that the research priorities in the state are integrated with the overarching strategy to improve the health of all Texans." More than 560,000 Americans - including 35,000 Texans - lose their lives to cancer each year. This year alone, 85,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in Texas alone. Cancer costs Texans approximately $30 billion a year in direct and indirect costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Wow! Amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieB Posted May 25, 2007 Author Share Posted May 25, 2007 I know..this is my favorite quote... When the scientific research, public health, non-profit and public sector communities collaborate, we can better ensure that the research priorities in the state are integrated with the overarching strategy to improve the health of all Texans (Americans)." The reason I love my association with the LAF is that they advocate ALL organizations to work together...wow what a concept eh?...I've gotten accustomed to "other" groups trying to compete and reinvent the wheel, so to speak. Now...we need to get the Cancer Screening, Treatment and Survivorship Act of 2007 passed in the House and Senate. * write to your representatives and implore them to co-sponsor this bill!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wondermom Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 That is fantastic! Hopefully other states will follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieB Posted June 14, 2007 Author Share Posted June 14, 2007 Texas Governor signed this bill today!! LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION APPLAUDS TEXAS GOVERNOR FOR SIGNING CANCER RESEARCH BILL Voters to Decide if Texas becomes Worldwide Cancer Research Leader AUSTIN, Texas - June 13, 2007 - The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) applauds Texas Governor Rick Perry for signing HB 14, which establishes the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Last month, the Texas legislature passed the companion legislation, HJR 90, which assures a public vote on November 6 and offers Texans an opportunity to approve $3 billion in general obligation bonds that would provide $300 million a year for cancer research in Texas. Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor and founder and chairman of the LAF, testified at the Texas Capitol in support of the bill, which was sponsored by Senators Jane Nelson and Kirk Watson and Representatives Jim Keffer and Patrick Rose. "This legislation is a bold commitment to invest in cancer prevention and research over the next ten years," Armstrong said. "I am confident that the people of Texas will overwhelmingly choose to make Texas a worldwide leader in cancer prevention and research." If voters concur in November, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas would fund research to prevent, detect and treat cancer. The legislation will also expand important cancer prevention, early detection and control programs funded by the Texas Cancer Council. In support of this critical initiative, the LAF was part of a coalition that also included Kill Cancer, the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Texas Medical Association. "This significant legislative success is the result of a united force to make cancer a state priority and, ultimately, a national priority," Armstrong said. "Once passed, this bill will be the single largest state investment dedicated solely to cancer research and prevention programs." Cancer costs Texans approximately $30 billion a year in direct and indirect costs. This year alone, more than 85,000 Texans will be diagnosed with cancer, and nearly 35,000 Texans will lose their lives to the disease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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