S5882 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 1, 2012 

tort reform. That is the same thing 

that was passed by the House of Representatives and that would save $74 

billion over 10 years. 

All told, all the savings generated 

would be $2.6 trillion—not $1.2 trillion—$2.6 trillion over 10 years. So do 

not let anyone tell you, we cannot get 

there from here. Clearly, we can get 

there from here. 

We use the remaining amount to beef 

up the military to get back to our 4- 

percent level. I believe if we were to 

talk to the average American, they 

would say: Yes, let’s go ahead and do 

this. Why aren’t we doing it now? 

Let me mention one other thing before I conclude; that is, we have something called the WARN Act. What that 

does is require the employers—who 

know because of sequestration there 

are going to be layoffs—to give pink 

slips at least 60 days prior to the time 

that will happen. Under sequestration, 

if they do not adopt my act, if they do 

that, then those pink slips would have 

to be out there by the 2nd of November. 

The President does not want that to 

happen. He does not want the Obama 

sequestration to be pointed out and 

identified as to what is causing them 

to lose their jobs, so he is trying to get 

companies not to comply with the 

WARN Act. 

Clearly, the WARN Act says ‘‘an employer shall not order a plant closing 

or mass layoff until the end of a 60-day 

period after the employer serves written notice of such an order.’’ 

The WARN Act states—this is very 

significant because if there are companies out there that are listening to the 

President when he is asking them not 

to issue the pink slips, this is what 

would happen to them—it states that 

‘‘any employer who orders a plant closing or mass layoff in violation of Section 3 . . . shall be liable to each aggrieved employee who suffers an employment loss as a result of such closing or layoff.’’ 

In other words, if they do not do it, 

then that opens the doors for all the 

trial lawyers to come in. Just imagine 

the cases. At Lockheed Martin, they 

say they are going to have to let go of 

some 120,000 people. If they had a class 

action suit, each one who was let go 

would receive something like $1,000. 

That would be $120 million that company would have to pay. I cannot imagine the board of directors of any company anywhere in America not complying with this legal act called the 

WARN Act. 

By Mrs. BOXER (for herself, Mrs. 

HUTCHISON, Mr. CASEY, Ms. 

SNOWE, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mrs. 

GILLIBRAND, and Mr. BROWN of 

Massachusetts): 

S. 3477. A bill to ensure that the 

United States promotes women’s meaningful inclusion and participation in 

mediation and negotiation processes 

undertaken in order to prevent, mitigate, or resolve violent conflict and 

implements the United States National 

Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security; to the Committee on Foreign 

Relations. 

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise 

today to introduce the Women, Peace, 

and Security Act of 2012 with Senators 

HUTCHISON, CASEY, SNOWE, SHAHEEN, 

GILLIBRAND and SCOTT BROWN. A companion bill was also introduced in the 

House of Representatives today by 

Representatives CARNAHAN, BERMAN

and SCHAKOWSKY. 

This important legislation will help 

codify the United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, which was released by the Obama 

administration in December, 2011, to 

help further ongoing U.S. initiatives 

regarding women, peace, and security 

and the objectives of United Nations 

Security Council Resolution 1325, 

UNSCR 1325. 

UNSCR 1325 calls on all countries to 

establish national action plans aimed 

at promoting the inclusion of women in 

conflict resolution efforts and peacebuilding institutions, such as police 

services. 

This is essential because women and 

girls are disproportionately impacted 

by violence and armed conflict. But at 

the same time, we know that women 

are critical to helping prevent violence 

before it occurs and resolving crises 

once they begin. Furthermore, evidence shows that integrating women 

into peace-building processes helps promote democracy and ensure the likelihood of a peace process succeeding. 

With the National Action Plan on 

Women, Peace, and Security, the U.S. 

joins the more than 37 other countries 

who have released similar National Action Plans recognizing women’s contributions to peace building and committing to support women’s inclusion 

in all aspects of peace processes. 

As Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International 

Operations and Organizations, Human 

Rights, Democracy, and Global Women’s Issues, I am proud of the Obama 

Administration for undertaking this 

important initiative, and remain committed to continuing to promote the 

full inclusion of women in all aspects 

of peace-building efforts. 

I look forward to working with my 

colleagues to pass this important 

legislation. 

f 

SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS 

SENATE RESOLUTION 535—RECOGNIZING THE GOALS AND IDEALS 

OF THE MOVEMENT IS LIFE CAUCUS 

Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and Mr. 

CHAMBLISS) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor, and Pensions: 

S. RES. 535 

Whereas arthritis is the number one cause 

of disability in the United States, according 

to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, affecting 50,000,000 Americans, and 

among the leading reasons for doctors’ visits 

and missed work; 

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention finds that in 2003 arthritis 

cost the United States economy 

$128,000,000,000 annually in medical costs and 

lost wages; 

Whereas 27,000,000 Americans suffer from 

osteoarthritis (the most common form of arthritis) and almost 80 percent have some degree of movement limitation; 

Whereas the onset of chronic joint pain 

and osteoarthritis can lead to disability and 

a loss of personal independence; 

Whereas, women along with African Americans and Latinos, the two largest racial and 

ethnic minority groups in the United States, 

face more severe osteoarthritis and disability, yet receive less than optimal access 

to diagnostic, medical, and surgical intervention than do other groups; 

Whereas women and minorities experiencing chronic diseases (such as diabetes, 

obesity, and heart disease (all medical conditions positively impacted by physical activity)) struggle disproportionately with 

undiagnosed and diagnosed osteoarthritis; 

Whereas there is a lack of awareness about 

the connection between musculoskeletal 

health disparities, increasing physical inactivity levels and disparities in diabetes, obesity, and heart disease among women, African-Americans and Latinos, which have a 

significant impact on increasing health care 

costs and workforce productivity; 

Whereas the first Movement is Life National Summit in September 2010 facilitated 

a national dialogue among stakeholders engaged in the continuum of care of women, 

African Americans, and Latinos, about musculoskeletal health disparities; 

Whereas the National Movement is Life 

Work Group Caucus has been established and 

the third annual meeting will be held this 

September 16-18, 2012 in Washington, D.C.; 

Whereas the National Movement is Life 

Work Group Caucus will facilitate the development of action plans to help reduce musculoskeletal health disparities; and 

Whereas the National Movement is Life 

Work Group Caucus seeks to promote early 

intervention, slow musculoskeletal disease 

progression, reduce disability, and encourage 

physical activity and daily movement in 

order to improve the health of those currently disadvantaged as well as the overall 

health of the nation: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate— 

(1) recognizes the musculoskeletal health 

disparities present among women, African 

Americans, and Latinos; 

(2) acknowledges the dangers posed to 

these populations, from rising inactivity levels and the impact on increased risk of 

chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, 

and heart disease; 

(3) seeks to raise public awareness in these 

communities about osteoarthritis and the 

importance of early intervention; 

(4) encourages physical activity and daily 

movement, in order to limit the exasperation of related chronic diseases and loss of 

independence; and 

(5) commends the Movement is Life National Caucus for its efforts in creating a 

dialogue which draws attention to these 

health disparities which continue to impact 

our national economy and many lives around 

the country. 


pwalker on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with SENATE
August 1, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5883 

SENATE RESOLUTION 536—DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, AS 

‘‘NATIONAL FETAL ALCOHOL 

SPECTRUM DISORDERS AWARENESS DAY’’ 

Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. 

JOHNSON of South Dakota, and Mr. 

BEGICH) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 

agreed to: 

S. RES. 536 

Whereas the term ‘‘fetal alcohol spectrum 

disorders’’ includes a broader range of conditions than the term ‘‘fetal alcohol syndrome’’ and has replaced the term ‘‘fetal alcohol syndrome’’ as the umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur 

in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during her pregnancy; 

Whereas fetal alcohol spectrum disorders 

are the leading cause of cognitive disability 

in Western civilization, including the United 

States, and are 100 percent preventable; 

Whereas fetal alcohol spectrum disorders 

are a major cause of numerous social disorders, including learning disabilities, school 

failure, juvenile delinquency, homelessness, 

unemployment, mental illness, and crime; 

Whereas the incidence rate of fetal alcohol 

syndrome is estimated at 1 out of every 500 

live births and the incidence rate of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is estimated at 1 

out of every 100 live births; 

Whereas, in February 1999, a small group of 

parents with children who suffer from fetal 

alcohol spectrum disorders united to promote awareness of the devastating consequences of alcohol consumption during 

pregnancy by establishing International 

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day; 

Whereas September 9, 1999, became the 

first International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 

Awareness Day; 

Whereas Bonnie Buxton of Toronto, Canada, the co-founder of the first International 

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day, 

asked ‘‘What if . . . a world full of FAS/E 

[Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effect] parents all 

got together on the ninth hour of the ninth 

day of the ninth month of the year and asked 

the world to remember that, during the 9 

months of pregnancy, a woman should not 

consume alcohol . . . would the rest of the 

world listen?’’; and 

Whereas, on the ninth day of the ninth 

month of each year since 1999, communities 

around the world have observed International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness 

Day: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate— 

(1) designates September 9, 2012, as ‘‘National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders 

Awareness Day’’; and 

(2) calls on the people of the United States 

to observe National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum 

Disorders Awareness Day with— 

(A) appropriate ceremonies— 

(i) to promote awareness of the effects of 

prenatal exposure to alcohol; 

(ii) to increase compassion for individuals 

affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol; 

(iii) to minimize the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol; and 

(iv) to ensure healthier communities 

across the United States; and 

(B) a moment of reflection during the 

ninth hour of September 9, 2012, to remember 

that a woman should not consume alcohol 

during the 9 months of her pregnancy. 

SENATE RESOLUTION 537—SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND 

IDEALS OF NATIONAL OVARIAN 

CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 

Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Ms. 

SNOWE, Mr. BENNET, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, 

Mrs. BOXER, Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. CARDIN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. 

KERRY, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. MERKLEY, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. 

MORAN, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. TESTER, Mr. 

UDALL of Colorado, Mr. WEBB, Mr. 

WHITEHOUSE, and Ms. MURKOWSKI) submitted the following resolution; which 

was considered and agreed to: 

S. RES. 537 

Whereas ovarian cancer is the deadliest of 

all gynecologic cancers; 

Whereas ovarian cancer is the 5th leading 

cause of cancer deaths among women in the 

United States; 

Whereas approximately 22,000 women will 

be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year, 

and 15,500 will die from the disease; 

Whereas these deaths are those of our 

mothers, sisters, daughters, family members, 

and community leaders; 

Whereas the mortality rate for ovarian 

cancer has not significantly decreased since 

the ‘‘War on Cancer’’ was declared, more 

than 40 years ago; 

Whereas all women are at risk for ovarian 

cancer, and 90 percent of women diagnosed 

with ovarian cancer do not have a family 

history that puts them at higher risk; 

Whereas some women, such as those with a 

family history of breast or ovarian cancer, 

are at higher risk for developing the disease; 

Whereas the Pap test is sensitive and specific to the early detection of cervical cancer, but not to ovarian cancer; 

Whereas, as of the date of agreement to 

this resolution, there is no reliable early detection test for ovarian cancer; 

Whereas many people are unaware that the 

symptoms of ovarian cancer often include 

bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty 

eating or feeling full quickly, urinary symptoms, and several other symptoms that are 

easily confused with other diseases; 

Whereas, in June 2007, the first national 

consensus statement on ovarian cancer 

symptoms was developed to provide consistency in describing symptoms to make it 

easier for women to learn and remember the 

symptoms; 

Whereas there are known methods to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, including 

prophylactic surgery, oral contraceptives, 

and breast-feeding; 

Whereas, due to the lack of a reliable early 

detection test, 75 percent of cases of ovarian 

cancer are detected at an advanced stage, 

making the overall 5-year survival rate only 

45 percent; 

Whereas there are factors that are known 

to reduce the risk for ovarian cancer and 

that play an important role in the prevention of the disease; 

Whereas awareness of the symptoms of 

ovarian cancer by women and health care 

providers can lead to a quicker diagnosis; 

Whereas, each year during the month of 

September, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and its partner members hold a number of events to increase public awareness of 

ovarian cancer; and 

Whereas September 2012 should be designated as ‘‘National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month’’ to increase the awareness of the 

public regarding the cancer: 

Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate supports the 

goals and ideals of National Ovarian Cancer 

Awareness Month. 

f 

SENATE RESOLUTION 538—DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2012 AS 

‘‘NATIONAL PROSTATE CANCER 

AWARENESS MONTH’’ 

Mr. SESSIONS (for himself, Mr. 

CARDIN, Mr. KERRY, Mr. LUGAR, Mr. 

SHELBY, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. TESTER, 

Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. WYDEN, Mrs. 

HUTCHISON, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. CRAPO, 

Mr. CHAMBLISS, Mr. COCHRAN, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. WICKER, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. 

MORAN, Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts, 

Mr. AKAKA, Mr. KIRK, Ms. MURKOWSKI, 

and Mrs. FEINSTEIN) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: 

S. RES. 538 

Whereas countless families in the United 

States live with prostate cancer; 

Whereas 1 in 6 males in the United States 

will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime; 

Whereas prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer and the 

second most common cause of cancer-related 

deaths among males in the United States; 

Whereas, in 2012, the American Cancer Society estimates that 241,740 males will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 28,170 

males will die from the disease; 

Whereas 30 percent of newly diagnosed 

prostate cancer cases occur in males under 

the age of 65; 

Whereas, approximately every 14 seconds, a 

male in the United States turns 50 years old 

and increases his odds of developing cancer, 

including prostate cancer; 

Whereas African-American males suffer 

from a prostate cancer death rate that is 

more than twice the death rate of White 

males from prostate cancer; 

Whereas obesity is a significant predictor 

of the severity of prostate cancer; 

Whereas the probability that obesity will 

lead to death and high cholesterol levels is 

strongly associated with advanced prostate 

cancer; 

Whereas males in the United States with 1 

family member diagnosed with prostate cancer have a 33 percent chance of being diagnosed with the disease, males with 2 family 

members diagnosed have an 83 percent 

chance, and males with 3 family members diagnosed have a 97 percent chance; 

Whereas screening by a digital rectal examination and a prostate-specific antigen 

blood test can detect the disease at the early 

stages, increasing the chances of survival for 

more than 5 years to nearly 100 percent; 

Whereas only 27.8 percent of males survive 

more than 5 years if diagnosed with prostate 

cancer after the cancer has metastasized; 

Whereas there are no noticeable symptoms 

of prostate cancer while the cancer is in the 

early stages, making screening critical; 

Whereas ongoing research promises further 

improvements in prostate cancer prevention, 

early detection, and treatment; and 

Whereas educating people in the United 

States, including health care providers, 

about prostate cancer and early detection 

strategies is crucial to saving the lives of 

males and preserving and protecting families: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate— 

(1) designates September 2012 as ‘‘National 

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month’’; 

(2) declares that steps should be taken— 

(A) to raise awareness about the importance of screening methods for, and treatment of, prostate cancer; 


pwalker on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with SENATE