A Breath of Fresh Air From Washington: Senate Passes Historic As...( WASHINGTON Oct. 10 -- Asbestos i...),Health

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Asbestos in the U.S. may be breathing its last gasps, with the Senate's recent passage of the Ban Asbestos in America Act this past week. It now moves on to the House of Representatives, where passage is expected to be imminent. Championed by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) for the last six years, this legislation would prohibit the sale of asbestos, launch a public education campaign and invest federal funding in developing effective treatment for Mesothelioma (Meso) and other asbestos-related diseases. With bipartisan support provided by Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), the bill was first approved unanimously on August 2nd 2007 in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, chaired by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and passed by the full Senate on Thursday, October 4th.

Not coincidentally, The International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma, led by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation), took place this past week in Washington, D.C. During the three-day symposium, 120 Meso Foundation advocates from 26 states converged on the Capitol. They met with their senators and congressional representatives to raise awareness about the tragic toll of Meso, to advocate for research investment and to call for passage of the ban legislation. The Symposium also included scientific presentations from expert researchers and clinicians, information and support for Meso patients and family members, and further advocacy to help secure ultimate passage of the bill.

In comments to the group immediately following the legislation's passage in the Senate, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) thanked Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) for their support of the bill, and credited the Meso Foundation advocates for their role in the passage of the legislation.

"I'm very pleased that Senators from both sides of the aisle came together to unanimously support my bill. This is a historic day in t
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