[Congressional Bills 103th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.J. Res. 121 Introduced in House (IH)] 103d CONGRESS 1st Session H. J. RES. 121 Designating the week beginning April 18, 1993, as ``Primary Immune Deficiency Awareness Week''. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 24, 1993 Mr. Nadler introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service _______________________________________________________________________ JOINT RESOLUTION Designating the week beginning April 18, 1993, as ``Primary Immune Deficiency Awareness Week''. Whereas primary immune deficiency is a congenital defect in the immune system such that the body cannot adequately defend itself from infection; Whereas primary immune deficiency is most often diagnosed in children and affects more children than leukemia and lymphoma combined; Whereas primary immune deficiency is believed to affect 500,000 Americans and possibly more because people are undiagnosed and misdiagnosed; Whereas many forms of primary immune deficiency are inherited; Whereas there are currently considered to be 70 forms of primary immune deficiency ranging from SCVID which is fatal if left untreated to chronic recurring infections and allergies that cannot be managed with prophylactic antibiotics; Whereas the earliest symptoms of primary immune deficiency are easily confused with a number of common illnesses or infections so that physicians often fail to diagnose and treat the underlying problem; Whereas once suspected, primary immune deficiency can be diagnosed through a series of blood screenings which test immune function; Whereas early intervention and treatment can save lives as well as prevent permanent damage to lungs and other organs; Whereas many forms of treatment are available once a specific diagnosis is made, procedures such as BMT may result in complete cure, and other treatments like monthly infusions complete cure, and other treatments like monthly infusions of gamma globulin dramatically reduces a patient's risk of infections and enables him or her to lead a normal life; Whereas patients may have long periods of normal health then suddenly be struck by severe fevers and infections; Whereas lack of public awareness can lead to anxiety and leave families isolated and confused; and Whereas education is essential to make the general public, health care professionals, employers, and insurers more knowledgeable about primary immune deficiency: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the week beginning April 18, 1993, is designated as ``Primary Immune Deficiency Awareness Week'', and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such a week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. <all>