Amata urges coalition to get House signatures for FY'07 cancer program before the deadline
February 28, 2006

February 28, 2006

Aumua Amata today reminded her national breast cancer coalition colleagues to encourage their U.S. Representatives to sign the letter in support of a $150 million appropriation for the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program (DODBCRP) for Fiscal Year 2007.

The former White House AAPI commissioner said, "It is critical for all women but especially Polynesian and Pacific Islander women because they are among the highest risk group and are even diagnosed with breast cancer at a rate substantially higher than Asian Americans."

Amata indicated that she believes the compelling health care needs of diverse Pacific Islander and Asian American populations require a comprehensive, coordinated, community based and culturally competent response. "Additional money, therefore, to solve the breast cancer problem through more research will disproportionately help our own women because they are at such a high risk," she stated.

"Last year our national breast cancer coalition secured 227 signatures for Fiscal Year 2006 with their massive organized effort," Aumua explained. "Now, in only a few days, we already have 41 Representatives signed on to the DOD BCRP letter to the Military Quality of Life Appropriations Subcommittee. We have only two weeks left before the March 13 deadline and we still need at least 186 Members of Congress to sign the letter of support."

Amata indicated that they want to match the number of signatures secured last year for FY 2006 but they have only two weeks to get 186 more signatures for FY2007.

"The Members of Congress should be willing to sign on again because this is a request for level funding which is the same as last year's (FY06) request," she said.

Aumua continued, "This program is critical so we must urge them to show their support for ending breast cancer by signing the letter calling for $150 million dollars to fund it."

In Congress, Reps. Tom Davis, Judy Biggert, Lowey and McGovern circulated the 'Dear Colleague' Letter asking House Members to sign a letter to the Military Quality of Life Appropriations Subcommittee calling for $150 million for the DOD Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) for Fiscal Year 2007.

Amata concluded by saying, "I thank the Members of Congress for their help. Now, our networks will follow through and contact their Representatives to urge their support by signing the letter by the March 13 deadli