[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 28, 2014)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E843-E844] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY ______ HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ of pennsylvania in the house of representatives Wednesday, May 28, 2014 Ms. SCHWARTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the work of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on the occasion of its anniversary this May, marking 50 years of [[Page E844]] progress in cancer treatment and ensuring access to high quality cancer care in the United States. When ASCO was founded in 1964, cancer was largely untreatable and there were only a handful of therapies available, most of which were ineffective and difficult for patients to tolerate. Less than one-half of patients with cancer lived five years after diagnosis. But today, more than two-thirds of patients with cancer are alive five years following their diagnosis, and more than 170 drugs are available for treatment. While ASCO has many achievements to celebrate this year, we cannot afford to rest in the fight against cancer. Workforce shortages, payment cuts and consolidation of oncology practices are causing potential access issues for cancer care. With more than 1.6 million Americans, including nearly 80,000 Pennsylvanians, diagnosed with cancer each year, Congress must ensure that organizations like ASCO have access to the resources they need to continue this groundbreaking research. In Pennsylvania alone, the National Institutes for Health (NIH) funds more than 3,000 projects. We must continue to work together to ensure there is access to high quality cancer care in America. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and all of its contributions to the fight against cancer. ____________________