Boston, U.S.A. — U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry led unanimous passage of the Senate Resolution 493 to recognize prostate cancer as an epidemic striking African American men disproportionately, with 250% higher mortality and 60% higher incidence. This bipartisan legislation urges federal agencies to support research for the advancement of diagnostic tools, including novel biomarkers and imaging technologies. Improved diagnostic tools will save lives and assure individualized, the least invasive and the most cost-effective patient care in millions of American men.

Senator Kerry said, “Prostate cancer is an epidemic – it kills every 16 minutes. This disease killed my dad, but I was lucky to beat it ten years ago, I introduced this resolution in the Senate to bring attention to this silent killer, how it disproportionately affects African Americans, and the need for additional federal investment in prostate cancer research, education, and awareness.

I’ve been through the battle against prostate cancer and I understand the strain a diagnosis places on the patient and their loved ones. We need to stay focused on research and arm Americans with the tools to prevent, detect, cure and treat this disease, and I’m grateful to my colleagues and our advocates for pushing this resolution through.”

Dr. Faina Shtern, President of AdMeTech Foundation who worked with Senator Kerry and his staff for several years on prostate cancer research funding issues commented, “We applaud Senator Kerry’s leadership in national recognition of prostate cancer as a public health priority and a health care crisis in African American men.

This legislation offers hope to millions of men who are left in the state of shock and confusion by the recent recommendation of the US Preventive Services Task Force against PSA screening, the only diagnostic tool currently available for early detection. Ending PSA screening is not the answer to the prostate cancer crisis. The Kerry resolution in support of research to improve diagnostic tools is.”

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in the United States, but federal research support is lagging behind, and men do not have reliable diagnostic tools. The impact is sobering: While prostate cancer is curable when detected early, it remains the second most lethal cancer in men, killing over 30,000 men each year.

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Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), John D. Rockefeller (D-WV), Scott Brown (R-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) have announced the Fisheries Investment and Regulatory Relief Act (FIRRA).

A companion bill is expected in the House by Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Frank Guinta (R-NH). This bipartisan legislation would ensure that key programs critical to sustainably managing ocean fish populations, and the fishermen and communities that depend on them, would receive increased and sustained funding.

The bill would provide approximately $100 million annually for much-needed scientific research, monitoring, data collection, and assistance to fishermen and coastal communities by redirecting a portion of existing import duties on fish and fish products to support key programs.

“This legislation is long overdue—and we applaud Sens. Kerry, Snowe, Rockefeller, Brown, and Whitehouse for introducing it,” said Lee Crockett, Pew’s director of federal fisheries policy. “Our nation will finally have a secure base of funding exclusively for fisheries-related initiatives.”

Funds would be available through a competitive grant program and would promote local priorities for sustainable fisheries management and the preservation of fishing communities. Multi-stakeholder regional committees, authorized by the bill and appointed by the nation’s eight fishery management councils, would develop plans to identify priorities for investment in each region.

The committees would use those priorities to evaluate and recommend grants for funding. The secretary of commerce, who oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, would have final approval of the plans and decisions regarding the grants.

“The working men and women of America’s West Coast commercial fishing industry strongly support the FIRRA,” said Zeke Grader, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations.

“For too long, we’ve managed our valuable fisheries on the cheap, with disastrous results. This bill finally provides a dedicated funding source for stock assessments, research, and support for fishing communities that are essential for healthy fisheries.”

“The strength of Senator Kerry’s bill is that it puts the decisions about what fisheries projects to fund in the hands of local fishermen and scientists who bring their regional perspectives and expertise to the issue,” said John Pappalardo, CEO of the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association.

“For-hire captains provide millions of recreational fishermen with access to U.S. fisheries every year, and these anglers spend millions on travel, lodging and food in coastal communities,” said Michael Miglini, the Executive Director of the Gulf-based Charter Fisherman’s Association.

“Yet, due to the tough economic climate and environmental threats like the 2010 Gulf oil spill, many of our businesses face an uncertain future. This bill will help by redirecting existing funding into the hands of local managers and fishermen so they can support the science necessary to make sound decisions that will increase fishing time, improve businesses, and ensure sustainable fisheries.”

Image Courtesy of   http://www.flickr.com/photos/americanprogressaction/

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The relationship among United States and Pakistan  was damaged at a certain degree, due to the fact that Osama bin Laden was found in Pakistan.

Yesterday, the United States senator, John Kerry democrat of Massachusetts and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, landed in Islamabad. He claimed that the ties between both countries were severely damaged, but he emphasized that this situation was needed to be treat in an adequate and careful manner, since a good, and stable relationship is crucial for both sides. During his visit, he claimed that both countries had agreed to: “ work together in future actions, against of great value objectives in Pakistan”.

In his visit he made clear his position. “ I did not came to apologize, for what I consider a triumph against terrorism without precedents, but I came to talk about how we should manage this significant relationship”, stated yesterday Kerry.

In a report taken from the Associated Press, Kerry expressed the following:

“The important thing is to understand that major, significant events have taken place in last days that have a profound impact on what we have called the war on terror, a profound impact on our relationship as a result,” Kerry said.

He added, “We need to find a way to march forward if it is possible. If it is not possible, there are sets of downside consequences that can be profound.” Both countries are strategic partners and have a strong dependence on each other. They both share the same enemy, which is terrorism. The senator added: “ Both have sacrificed so much, that there is no pint to allow a relationship break up “.

Kerry added that he counted with the backup and support of the President Barack Obama. He made clear, that the strategic solutions to improve the bilateral relations would be based on the actions taken, rather than words.

The senator Kerry, acted as a very important figure since it is the first American that visits Pakistan after the Geronimo Operation, which lead to the kill of Osama bin Laden, the 2 of May. The American Senator handed a list of “ Concrete Requirements” to the Pakistani Chief of State, Ashfaq Kayani, in order to ease the relationship and erase any doubt or suspicion regarding that the Asian country host’s terrorist.

John A. Boehner, The House speaker, who went to Pakistan last month, said on Thursday that the United States should remain engaged with Pakistan as an ally against terrorists, but that Pakistani leaders must demonstrate their determination in fighting terrorist groups. He stated: “It’s time to look the Pakistanis in the eye and get a commitment that they are fully onboard with us. If we’re going to continue to provide aid and strengthen this relationship, I think we need to have a clearer understanding.”

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