WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA), Co-Chair of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus, introduced a bipartisan House Resolution in recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

“This issue is important to me because every year, the Black community is disproportionately affected by prostate cancer. Specifically, Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as white men,” said Rep. Carter. “To address the disparities in prostate cancer outcomes, we must ensure at-risk populations have access to prevention, early detection, and treatment options. This disease does not have to be a death sentence. Together, we can increase awareness through campaigns like ‘Prostate Cancer Awareness Month’ and beat prostate cancer once and for all.”

“As a physician and Co-Chair of the Men’s Health Caucus, I’m proud to support this resolution. Prostate Cancer is one of the leading causes of death for men, affecting 1 in 8 men during their lifetime. As an ER Doctor, I have seen firsthand the devastation Prostate Cancer has on men and their families. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in leading this resolution once again to help break the stigma around seeking help and raise awareness of this horrible disease.” said Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA).

“Throughout my career as a physician, I saw firsthand the difference that early detection can make in the fight against prostate cancer,” said Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL). “Prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting American men, yet too many put off important conversations with their doctors about their risk and screening options. This September, I’m proud to once again join my colleagues in recognizing National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and encouraging men across the country to take charge of their health, know their risk, and talk with their doctor about what is right for them.”

“Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men,” said Rep. Lieu (D-CA). “It’s important to talk to a doctor about risk factors and getting screened, especially as you get older and the risk increases. Early detection can save lives. Making September National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is an important reminder for men to prioritize their health. I’m pleased to join the Men’s Health Caucus on this bipartisan effort.”

“Ensuring that our communities are informed about prostate cancer and early detection strategies is crucial to saving lives and protecting families,” said Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ). “As Co-Chair of the Men’s Health Caucus, I am proud to help lead efforts to designate September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and remain committed to making meaningful progress toward improving health outcomes and ending the stigma around men’s health.”

The full text of the resolution is below, and you can read it here.

“Expressing support for the designation of September 2026 as “National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.”

“Whereas, more than 3,100,000 men have at some point been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are still alive in the United States;

“Whereas 1 in 8 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes and 1 in 44 men in the United States will die from prostate cancer;

“Whereas the Men’s Health Network advises that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed nonskin cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States;

“Whereas the American Cancer Society estimates that, in 2026, 333,830 men will be diagnosed with, and more than 36,320 men will die of, prostate cancer;

“Whereas 40 percent of newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases occur in men under the age of 65;

“Whereas the chances of developing prostate cancer rise rapidly after age 50;

“Whereas African-American men suffer from a prostate cancer incidence rate that is significantly higher than that of White men and have more than double the prostate cancer mortality rate than that of White men;

“Whereas having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles the risk of a man developing prostate cancer, with a higher risk for men who have a brother with the disease and the highest risk for men with several affected relatives;

“Whereas screening by a digital rectal examination and a prostate-specific antigen blood test can detect the disease at the earlier, more treatable stages, which could increase the chances of survival for more than 5 years to nearly 100 percent;

“Whereas only 32 percent of men survive more than 5 years if diagnosed with prostate cancer after the cancer has metastasized;

“Whereas there are typically no noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer in the early stages, making appropriate screening critical;

“Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs has established 21 Precision Oncology Centers of Excellence in order to deliver precision oncology services to veterans suffering from prostate cancer;

“Whereas ongoing research promises further improvements in prostate cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment; and

“Whereas educating people in the United States, including health care providers, about prostate cancer and early detection strategies is crucial to saving the lives of men and preserving and protecting families:

“Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

“(1) expresses support for the designation of ‘National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month;’

(2) declares that steps should be taken—(A) to raise awareness about the importance of screening methods for, and treatment of, prostate cancer; (B) to encourage research—

(i) to improve screening and treatment for prostate cancer;

(ii) to discover the causes of prostate cancer; and

(iii) to develop a cure for prostate cancer; and (C) to continue to consider ways to improve access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer; and

(3) calls on the people of the United States, interest groups, and affected persons—(A) to promote awareness of prostate cancer; (B) to take an active role in the fight to end the devastating effects of prostate cancer on individuals, families, and the economy; and (C) to observe National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

Background

Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02) is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus. Congressman Carter is joined by Co-Chair Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), and Vice Chairs Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL), Ted Lieu (D-CA), and Rob Menendez (D-NJ). The bipartisan Caucus is dedicated to raising awareness about men’s health issues, encouraging men and boys to take an active role in their personal health, and promoting legislation that will improve the health and well-being of men, boys, and their families.

The Men’s Health Caucus focuses on topics including mental health care, prostate cancer screening, traumatic brain injury, and urological health issues. The Caucus will continue these efforts to educate Congress and the public about important topics in men’s health.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, New Orleans lost a giant, and I lost a friend.

Jerome “Big Duck” Smith was a freedom fighter, a mentor and a servant of this community who loved his people deeply.

Duck didn’t have much patience for excuses. If our children needed something, he was going to fight until somebody listened.

That was Big Duck.

It was never about Jerome. It was always about somebody else.

His civil rights work did not stop with the movement of the 1960s. He spent the rest of his life carrying that work forward through Tambourine and Fan, teaching generations of young people where they came from, what they were capable of, and why they mattered.

I am grateful that I had the chance to know him, work with him, laugh with him and, yes, sometimes be pushed by him. More than anything, I am grateful that I was able to tell him while he was still here what he meant to me and what he meant to this city.

New Orleans is better because Big Duck walked these streets.

To his family, his loved ones and the entire Tambourine and Fan family, my prayers are with you.

Rest well, my brother. Thank you for loving this city and its people enough to spend your life fighting for them.

Rest in power, Big Duck.

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