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REMARKS BY:  DONNA E. SHALALA, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PLACE:       Ottawa Conference on Women's Health, Ottawa, Canada
DATE:        August 8, 1996

But what we have most in common is our two centuries of friendship. Allies in war, and partners in peace, Canada and the United States have worked together decade after decade -- across a border where the swords have always been plowshares and the spears have always been pruninghooks.

The time has come for us to work together again -- this time to fulfill the commitments we made in Beijing. Because, it was almost one year ago in Beijing, that we sent a message that echoed throughout the globe:

Inspired by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, we said that "Women's rights are human rights and human rights are women's rights." We said that no woman -- no matter where she lives or how much money she has -- should have to endure the pain of domestic violence, environmental toxins, and dangerous barriers to reproductive health.

And, we made it clear that when we talk about health security for women, we are talking about an international commitment that spans the full spectrum of women's lives -- from sunrise to sunset.

Now, one year later, it is time for us to bring the spirit of Beijing back home -- and send it across the friendliest border in the world and into communities throughout our two nations.

And, that has never been more important than right now. Because right now, somewhere in Alabama or Alberta, a baby girl is taking her first breaths of life. Let's suppose her name is Michelle.

Throughout Michelle's life, the quality of her days, the scope of her future, and the very health of her family will in someway be influenced by actions we take today.

Will she get the vaccinations and other care she needs to survive her earliest days and make a healthy start in life?

As she grows up, will she and her family have access to a good education; to mammograms and other critical screenings; to reproductive health care services, including family planning?

Will she be empowered to protect her family against hazards in the workplace and the environment; against the dangers of drugs and tobacco; and against the tragedies of heart disease, domestic violence and HIV/AIDS?

In the twilight of her years, will she have the tools she needs to hold fast to her health and her hopes, her dignity and her dreams?

The answers to these questions will determine not only Michelle's future, not only her family's future, but the future of Canada and the United States as well. Right now, our collective future is in trouble.

When 1 in 8 American women, and 1 in 9 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives -- that is a tragedy we share. When heart disease is the number one cause of death for both American and Canadian women, when the number of HIV infections among women continues to grow -- that is a tragedy we share.

When more than 20% of American and Canadian women smoke -- that is a tragedy that we share. When too many women over 50, both in Canada and the United States, have not received a mammogram within the last two years -- that is a tragedy we share. And when domestic violence continues to rear its ugly head and threaten families on both sides of our border -- that is a tragedy we share.

But it doesn't have to be this way. Together, we can prevent these tragedies and usher in a new day in women's health -- a day when the unique needs of women are never considered a special interest or asked to take second place again.

In the United States, under the leadership of President Clinton, we've made a very strong commitment to women's health.

I am proud that all of our agencies and regions have programs dedicated solely to improving women's health.

I am proud that we are tackling the scourge of domestic violence: With tougher penalties. Better training for prosecutors, judges and physicians. More community policing and prevention. And a new toll-free hotline that has already given a helping hand to 33,000 Americans in the first four months alone.

In the battle against HIV and AIDS, I'm proud that we came to the Eleventh International AIDS Conference in Vancouver and announced that we are dedicating $100 million dollars to develop a female microbicide -- so that women everywhere will have the power to protect themselves against this insidious virus.

I am proud that we have closed an ugly chapter of discrimination in women's health research: By ensuring that women and minorities are included in all clinical research trials. By initiating the largest clinical trial ever conducted -- to uncover the mysteries behind diseases in older women and develop strategies to help women lead healthier lives. And, by expanding our research into diseases that are more prevalent in women or affect them differently -- like osteoporosis, heart disease, and breast cancer.

I am proud that we are helping to inspire young girls to say "no" to tobacco, drugs, and premarital sex and "yes" to their educations, their health, and their futures.

I'm proud of our historic commitment to raising and sustaining childhood immunization rates; of our efforts to get all Americans off the couch and on the move; and our ongoing fight to ensure that women always have good reproductive care and full reproductive freedom.

And, I am proud we created a historic National Action Plan on Breast Cancer, a public-private partnership which has, as its goal, the eradication of breast cancer. Under President Clinton's watch, funding for breast cancer research has increased dramatically -- from only $90 million in 1990 to over $600 million today.

We're discovering genes linked to hereditary breast cancer. We've created new quality standards for all mammogram facilities, so that women can be confident in the care they're receiving. And we're reaching out to all women, especially low income women and minority women, to make sure they know about, and have access to, mammograms and pap smears.

As it happens -- to borrow the name of a very popular Canadian radio show -- you launched a similar all-out drive against breast cancer at about the same time we started our National Action Plan.

But the time has come for us to stop traveling down parallel tracks in the fight against breast cancer and other women's health concerns -- the time has come to work together to lift up the health and lives of women and families throughout our two nations.

And, that's what this forum is all about. It's about sharing ideas and sharing strength. It's about bringing together not only different countries, but different communities -- as businesses, non-profits, nurses and physicians, government officials and other leaders join hands -- now and hereafter -- to reach our common goal.

And, when all is said and done it is about results, about breathing life into the promises made in Beijing about turning them into a reality for women all over Canada and all over the United States.

Today, we have a year's worth of accomplishments behind us -- but many more years of hard work ahead of us. So we cannot rest. We must not rest. We must not rest until all women and men, across our border and beyond our shores have the tools they need to protect their health; extend their lives; and raise their children in dignity, hope and peace.

Let me be clear: This is a call to action, a call to arms, a call to the future. Because, when all is said and done, what matters is not what we say today, it's what we do tomorrow. What must we do tomorrow?

Let us wipe out toxins and violence -- and create healthier environments for women and families -- in fields and factories, in offices and homes. Let us expand access to reproductive health care services. Let us ensure that there are no gender disparities in the clinical labs, on the medical wards, or in the doctor's office.

Let us reach out to men -- especially young men -- because this battle cannot -- and should not -- be won without them. And, let us always be the voice of fundamental human rights; the model for educational and economic opportunity; and the spirit that gives women the power to stand up for their health, and stand together for their future.

That's the spirit we saw throughout the 1996 Olympics -- as women from across the globe showed exactly what years of determination and sacrifice can bring: victory.

None of us will ever forget the image of a young gymnast named Kerri Strug. She happens to be an American. But, she could have been from Canada. Because, it is less important where she comes from than what she has become.

Today Kerri Strug stands as a citizen of the world -- admired for choosing courage over fear and self-confidence over self-doubt. She could have taken the easy way out -- throwing up her hands in defeat instead of raising her hand in victory. But she didn't. And we must not either.

Like Kerri, we must always have the will to do better. And, we must finish as she finished -- standing proud; determined to scale the next mountain; knowing that despite our injuries, despite our setbacks, we will always remain winners who will heal, and healers who make winners of us all.