United States Representative Charlie Norwood will soon depart Washington, for good. He will head straight home to Georgia where he will receive hospice care now that he has decided to decline all further treatment for lung cancer that has spread to his liver.

An air ambulance will fly Norwood, 65, home as early as Wednesday or Thursday. The congressman, who had been traveling the halls of Congress in an eclectic cart, with oxygen tank in tow has spent much of his time this session in the hospital.

Suffering from chronic lung disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Norwood received a lung transplant in 2004. Doctors then discovered a tumor on his non-transplanted lung and removed it in 2006. But the cancer had already spread to his liver. And while Norwood considered continued treatment, he ultimately determined, "No, you know what, it's time to go home."

Norwood, whose condition was acknowledged by President Bush in his last State of the Union speech, is said to have been as stubborn in his fight against cancer as he was in this fight for the legislation he thought was important for America.

Bob Mathias was a two-time Olympic decathlon champion and also became a four term Republican Congressman. His brother said that the cause of death was cancer.

In a statement by the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee, Peter Ueberroth said "Bob Mathias was one of those rare individuals with the ability to inspire a nation through his determination and perseverance. He was a champion in every aspect of life, and he embraced the values that make our country and the worldwide Olympic movement special"

In 1948, the 17 year old Mathias became the youngest male to win an Olympic gold medal.

The office of Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) issued a press release announcing that Congressman Hoyer and Congressman Roger Wicker (R-MS), with support from the Lance Armstrong Foundation, introduced the Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2006, H.R. 5390, a measure to improve programs for cancer survivors.

When referring to the over 10 million cancer survivors, and the 1.4 million Americans who will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone, Congressman Hoyer said, "Unfortunately, this new population of cancer survivors has been largely neglected. It is imperative that this growing population of survivors are equipped with the resources, information, and support to face and overcome quality of life challenges including barriers to physical activity, employment, and social and emotional health." I know -- it's politics and we are talking politicians -- but once in awhile something good does get done. Armstrong expressed appreciation and gratitude to Congressman Hoyer and Congressman Wicker for bringing H.R. 5390 forward in Congress.

The Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act will support research and quality of life issues; and the establishment of new National Cancer Institute designated centers for research and provide central locations for information. To read more about the outline of H.R. 5390, visit Congressman Steny H. Hoyer.