June 22, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1159 OPPOSITION TO GENE PATENTING mines hereditary risk factors around breast present, I would have voted for amendments and ovarian cancer—charges between $3,000 to the FY 2012 Agriculture, Rural Develop- HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER and $4,000 for a single test. Other laboratories ment, and Food and Drug Administration Ap- OF NEW YORK have offered to perform the test for several propriations Act that encourage local and re- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES hundred dollars, but are not able to do so be- gional food systems and fund programs that cause of the patent on those particular genetic support the work of minority and socially dis- Wednesday, June 22, 2011 sequences. And the information provided by advantaged farmers. I also would have sup- Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today this test is critical for medical decision-making: ported amendments that protect taxpayer in opposition to gene patenting. The sequenc- Up to 85 percent of those individuals who pos- funds by implementing modest restrictions on ing of the human genome was the most mo- sess these genetic sequences will be diag- excessive farm subsidy payments. mentous medical achievement in this century, nosed with breast cancer at some point in I would have voted against amendments with unparalleled implications for patients and their life. By granting a monopoly, we risk that seek to delay the Commodity Futures our economy. And we cannot squander that placing these genetic tests out of reach for pa- Trading Commission’s efforts to enforce com- success by patenting genes. tients. monsense rules on risky derivative swaps and The Human Genome Project has helped our Furthermore, gene patents stop innovation other financial transactions, prevent the De- economy to grow by $796 billion. Today, in their tracks. They prevent anyone outside of partment of Agriculture from implementing 310,000 American jobs are linked to the se- the patent holder from studying the gene se- their climate change adaption policy, or pro- quencing of the Human Genome. Further- quence under patent. As Dr. Stieglitz of Co- pose deeper cuts to the FDA that would more, personalized medicine has transformed lumbia, a Nobel Prize winning economist, hinder the agency’s ability to protect our na- the way doctors care for patients. According to wrote, ‘‘Our genetic makeup is far too com- tion’s food supply from food-borne illnesses. the American Medical Association, more than plicated for a single entity to hold the keys to Finally, I would have opposed passage of 1,200 genetic tests can be used today to help any given gene and to be able to choose the overall FY 2012 Agriculture, Rural Devel- diagnose and treat over 1,000 different dis- when, if ever, to share.’’ We threaten scientific opment, and Food and Drug Administration eases. Personalized medicine helps to provide advancement, if we do not allow scientists to Appropriations Act because of the bill’s drastic safer, more cost-effective medicine. untangle the manifold implications of specific and indefensible cuts to the Women, Infants, Yet, to fully realize the potential of personal- gene sequences. We can not reap the full and Children, WIC, program, which provides ized medicine, we must ensure that our laws benefits of personalized medicine if research- vital aid for our nation’s most vulnerable preg- and policies keep pace with our science. ers must go to hundreds of different patent nant women, infants and children. In the last Today as we consider the patent bill, I would holders to analyze one patient’s genome. year, WIC provided nutritious food, counseling like to clarify the intersection between genes The battle to keep policy and science on healthy eating, and health care referrals to and patents. marching hand in hand has been a long one, thousands of women and children in my state. Many of us carry within us genes that pre- and I worked for dozens of years to ensure Additionally, the underlying bill undermines dispose us to illnesses or influence the effec- that the nation’s laws support genetics policy. commonsense financial rules, choosing to pro- tiveness of medications. These genes are nat- In 1995, I introduced legislation, entitled the tect Wall Street speculators that are driving up ural products—not inventions. And as natural Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act gas prices over the American taxpayer. Like- products, they should not be patented. It’s this (GINA), in order to prevent genetic discrimina- wise, I cannot support the deep cuts in FDA simple: just as a kidney cannot be patented, tion. For personalized medicine to flourish, pa- funding included in the bill that will severely genetic sequences should not be patented. tients needed to be able to get genetic tests undermine food safety efforts and increase the Unfortunately, 20 percent of our genes have without the fear that it would endanger their risk of food-borne illnesses. already been claimed as intellectual property. employment or their health insurance. Thirteen For several decades, the U.S. government years after I first introduced GINA, it was f issued patents on genes. Thankfully the De- passed into law. GINA is one of the nation’s partment of Justice recognized this clear over- RECOGNIZING PRINCIPAL RICHARD great civil rights laws, which has helped open JONES’ DECADES OF SERVICE TO reach on the part of the United States Patent the door to personalized medicine. and Trademark Office—and moved to correct OUR COMMUNITY AS A LEADER By passing GINA in 2008, the U.S. Con- IN EDUCATION this mistake. gress showed itself to be at the forefront of On October 29, 2010, the United States De- genetics policy. I expect no less of our govern- partment of Justice filed an amicus brief in ment when it comes to gene patenting. Today, HON. GARY C. PETERS which they explained: ‘‘the unique chain of the Patent Office has the opportunity to insti- OF MICHIGAN chemical base pairs that induces a human cell tute evidence-based policy and end the pat- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to express a BRCA protein is not a ‘human- enting of genes, and it must do so. Wednesday, June 22, 2011 made invention.’ Nor is the fact that particular natural mutations in that unique chain increase f Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker I rise today to a woman’s chance of contracting breast or AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOP- recognize Mr. Richard Jones, the distin- ovarian cancer. Indeed, the relationship be- MENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMIN- guished principal of North Farmington High tween a naturally occurring nucleotide se- ISTRATION, AND RELATED School, on the occasion of his retirement after quence and the molecule it expresses in a AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS nearly 25 years of service to the families and human cell—that is, the relationship between ACT, 2012 students of Farmington Hills, Michigan through genotype and phenotype—is simply a law of his work as an educator, administrator and nature. The chemical structure of native SPEECH OF community leader. human genes is a product of nature, and it is Mr. Richard Jones started his career in edu- no less a product of nature when that struc- HON. NIKI TSONGAS cation nearly four decades ago and has been ture is ‘isolated’ from its natural environment OF MASSACHUSETTS part of the Farmington Hills school district fam- than are cotton fibers that have been sepa- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ily for the last quarter of a century. He thrived rated from cotton seeds or coal that has been Tuesday, June 14, 2011 as an English teacher and also a football and extracted from the earth.’’ tennis coach, creating a comfortable learning The House in Committee of the Whole The United States Department of Justice House on the State of the Union had under environment where students were able to suc- has come to the inevitable conclusion that consideration the bill (H.R. 2112) making ap- ceed and flourish. After many years in the genes are natural products, and not fit for pat- propriations for Agriculture, Rural Develop- classroom and on the field, he was made prin- enting. And last year, a federal court in New ment, Food and Drug Administration, and cipal of the high school in 1998. York came to the same conclusion. Related Agencies programs for the fiscal As principal, Mr. Jones treated every stu- Not only is the issuance of patents on year ending September 30, 2012, and for other dent, parent and teacher with dignity and re- genes wrong, contrary to common sense, and purposes: spect. He is someone the students trusted and in violation of Congressional intent, but it also Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Chair, I missed the teachers looked to for advice. His main damages human health. Gene patents have votes on the day of June 16, 2011, because goal was always to have a school unified by cut off access to important tests. For example, I traveled back to my district to attend the fu- a message of tolerance and acceptance. Dur- the company that owns sole rights to the neral service for a Marine killed in combat, ing his time as principal he implemented many BRCA1 and BRCA2 sequences—which deter- Corporal William Woitowicz. Had I been innovative school-wide programs on issues

VerDate Mar 15 2010 06:18 Jun 23, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22JN8.017 E22JNPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with REMARKS E1160 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 22, 2011 ranging from civil rights to energy conserva- Real Men Charities, Inc. for the 22nd consecu- accepted after a 203 year ratification period. tion. One of his hallmark initiatives was to tive year. Real Men Cook is the largest na- When Congress passed the ERA in 1972, it build a student body that turned ‘‘awareness tional service day event on Father’s Day in the provided that the measure had to be ratified into activism.’’ In 2009, he dedicated the United States, demonstrating that real men by the necessary number of states (38) within school-year to learning about genocide, which are nurturing: providing sustenance, care, 7 years. This was later extended to the still enabled powerful levels of student activism to love, and work to build healthy families and tight deadline of 10 years, but unfortunately aid the cause in Darfur. Teaming up with Dan- communities. the ERA was just three states shy of full ratifi- bury High School in Connecticut, the student It all began when Kofi Moyo and Yvette cation when the deadline passed in 1982. We body was able to raise $100,000 to help build Moyo were joined by 10 women and 100 men believe Congress should give the states an- schools in Sudan. in 1989 to create a commonsense way to in- other chance. I was proud to welcome Principal Jones to crease male involvement, and to celebrate In the past several decades, women have Washington when he was formally recognized and demonstrate the rewards of family and made extraordinary strides toward achieving as Michigan’s Principal of the Year in 2009, an community service. equality—but this progress is not irreversible. award that was well deserved for an educator Real Men Cook family celebrations are the Without the ERA, women have often been de- that has poured so much of his time, energy nation’s longest-running urban Father’s Day nied the ability to seek justice when they have and heart into his students, teachers and the family event, featuring male volunteers from experienced discrimination. The Supreme community as a whole. Principal Jones’ dedi- neighborhoods in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Court decision in the Virginia Military Institute cation to the school has earned him numerous Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, New Orle- case (Virginia v. United States) helped clarify other awards for his diligence and interactive ans, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, that gender ‘‘classifications may not be used teaching methods. He has also earned teach- DC, raising funds, and devoting time and re- . . . to create or perpetuate the legal, social, er of the year honors four times, the ‘‘Great sources to cook and serve samples of their fa- and economic inferiority of women.’’ However, Seal of Michigan’’ award and the Chair Award vorite dishes to help nonprofit organizations. laws can still perpetuate gender classifications from the Farmington Multicultural Multiracial Real Men Cook has transformed Father’s that keep women from achieving their full po- Council. He has been recognized countless Day globally into an exciting and highly antici- tential. Passage of the ERA is the Constitu- times for his unwavering focus on the edu- pated day, growing the tradition of individual tional affirmation of the Supreme Court deci- cation and moral growth of his students. In and group service and family celebrations sion. 2009, Principal Jones was also presented with around food. Real Men Cook turns the spot- Our democracy rests on the principle of ‘‘lib- the ‘‘Anne Frank Outstanding Educator light on the bonus fathers and father-figures erty and justice for all.’’ We need the ERA to Award,’’ for his initiatives to educate his stu- who step in when biological fathers are not in- ensure that this concept applies equal to dents on standing up for what is right. volved in the lives of children, and encourages women. I am pleased to introduce this bill with Mr. Speaker, as a parent of public school the celebration of those men. 158 bipartisan original cosponsors and urge students, I am proud to know such an out- Real Men Cook generates national media my colleagues to support it. standing and dedicated educator and it is my attention each Father’s Day, recognizing fa- f privilege to honor his work to improve the thers and father-figures beyond grandfathers REMEMBERING LEROY NESBIT, JR. quality of education in Michigan. I know that I and uncles to coaches, ministers, teachers, stand with many in saying Rick is a great neighbors and any man who has donated time HON. DALE E. KILDEE and talent to help children and Real Men Cook leader, teacher and friend. I ask my col- OF MICHIGAN leagues to join me today as I honor Mr. Rich- events have been responsible for raising more IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ard Jones for his lifetime commitment to edu- than $1 million for the Boys & Girls Clubs, Wednesday, June 22, 2011 cating and nurturing the development of thou- Community Mental Health Council, the South sands of students, on the occasion of his re- Side YMCA, foundations, museums and family Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great tirement from North Farmington High School. service organizations. In addition, Real Men sadness that I rise today to pay tribute to a f Cook, through Real Men Charities, presents a dear friend, Leroy Nesbit, Jr. Leroy passed Health & Wellness Pavilion in several cities on away on Monday, June 20th. CONGRATULATING CHRISTIAN Father’s Day, providing free health screenings, When I was a teacher at Flint Central High SVETICS FOR OBTAINING THE nutritional education, and fresh fruits and School, Leroy was a student there. My wife, RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT vegetables. Gayle, had Leroy as a student in her French This year, Real Men Cook is co-sponsored class. Even in those early days, we could see HON. SANDY ADAMS by Verizon, K&G Fashion Superstore, Illinois his potential for leadership and vision, and OF FLORIDA Lottery, Moo & Oink, Provident Hospital of Leroy lived up to his full potential. He went on IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Cook County, the Urban Health Initiative of the to earn his Associates Degree in Business University of Chicago Medical Centers, Blue from Baker Business University, a Bachelor of Wednesday, June 22, 2011 Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois, and the Illinois Science Degree in Business Administration Mrs. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to Department of Children and Family Services. from Ferris State College, and a Masters De- congratulate Christian Svetics for achieving I take special pride and satisfaction from my gree in Administration from Central Michigan the rank of Eagle Scout. own longtime participation in Real Men Cook University. He started working for AC Spark Throughout the history of the Boy Scouts of and I would encourage all Americans to follow Plug as an auditor and worked his way up to America, the rank of Eagle Scout has only this family tradition of volunteerism, family and a position on General Motors Government Re- been attained through dedication to concepts community contribution on this Father’s Day lations Staff. such as honor, duty, country and charity. By and Father’s Days to come. As an active volunteer in the credit union applying these concepts to daily life, Christian f movement, Leroy served on the Dort Federal has proven his true and complete under- Credit Union Board of Directors since 1975. standing of their meanings, and thereby de- EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT He held several leadership positions at Dort serves this honor. Federal Credit Union and he was active with I offer my congratulations on a job well done HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY credit unions on a national level. He served as and best wishes for the future. OF NEW YORK the National President of the Council of GM f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Credit Unions, Chief Coordinator of the Com- bined Council of Automotive Credit Unions, he REAL MEN COOK Wednesday, June 22, 2011 was active with the Michigan Credit Union Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, nearly 40 League and the African-American Credit Union HON. DANNY K. DAVIS years have passed since the Congress Coalition. OF ILLINOIS passed the Equal Rights Amendment (also Leroy served as Chairman of the Flint Area IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES known as the Women’s Equality Amendment). Convention and Visitors Bureau, past This historic Constitutional Amendment was Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Wednesday, June 22, 2011 intended to ensure equality for women and Chairman of the Northern Province Senior Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Sunday, men in all areas of society. Kappa Affairs Committee and Northern Prov- Father’s Day, June 19, 2011, Real Men Cook The 27th amendment to the Constitution, ince Achievement Committee. He was a mem- was once again presented by the nonprofit, which concerns Congressional pay raises, was ber of the Michigan Travel Commission, a

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