July 12, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 117 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        AWARENESS OF CANCER MORTALITY IN WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RASHIDA TLAIB

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 12, 2019

  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring awareness to the 
incidence of cancer and cancer mortality in Wayne County, Michigan. 
Wayne County ranks in the top four counties with the highest incidence 
of cancer in Michigan.
  In 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a part of 
the World Health Organization, has classified outdoor air pollution as 
a carcinogen, citing 223,000 lung cancer deaths worldwide in 2010. It's 
no coincidence that Wayne County is home to some of Michigan's most 
heavily industrialized areas. Wayne County is home to Michigan's only 
oil refinery, one hundred eleven Superfund sites, massive 
transportation infrastructure, steel mills, and more.
  More telling than the clouds of smoke, the odors, and the haze 
hanging in the air, is the pollution's toll on human lives. There is no 
doubt that the cancer, respiratory disease, and other illnesses have 
caused great distress to the families impacted. Too often, we sacrifice 
the quality of life for our residents. We have lost too many lives and 
it's time to say enough. We have an opportunity to reverse course and 
do better by future generations.
  Therefore, I rise today to honor those whose lives were cut short by 
cancer and will continue to fight for environmental justice for the 
people of Michigan's 13th Congressional District.

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