Congress Salutes ASCO’s 50th Anniversary on House Floor

On May 8, 2014, the House of Representatives held a Special Order in honor of ASCO as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Representatives Leonard Lance (R-NJ), Brian Higgins (D-NY), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) spoke during the Special Order, which took place on the House Floor following the close of the legislative session. House Members applauded oncologists for their commitment to cancer patients and several spoke to the impact of ASCO’s work on driving progress and innovation in cancer care over the last 50 years.

“When ASCO was founded cancer was widely regarded as an untreatable disease with fewer than one half of patients alive five years after diagnosis,” said Rep. Lance. “Because of the work of passionate advocates and tireless champions, and of the expertise of talented medical professionals, including those at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, today the survival rate is higher than two thirds.” Speakers also addressed key challenges in oncology today including prevention and federal funding for research and encouraged fellow members to support actions that would spur progress in cancer care and drive future advancements. Watch the Special Order CSPAN clip at www.asco.org/advocacy/house-special-order-honors-asco’s-mid-century-anniversary. ■