[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 439 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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115th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 439
Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 19, 2018
Mr. Casey (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Coons, Mr.
Brown, Mr. Markey, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Van Hollen, and Mr.
Moran) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.
Whereas multiple sclerosis (referred to in this preamble as ``MS'') can impact
individuals of all ages, races, and ethnicities, but MS is at least 2 to
3 times more common in women than in men;
Whereas there are approximately 2,300,000 individuals worldwide who have been
diagnosed with MS;
Whereas MS is typically diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50,
but it is estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 children and
adolescents are living with MS in the United States;
Whereas MS is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous
system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain and
between the brain and the body;
Whereas symptoms of MS range from numbness and tingling to vision problems and
paralysis, and the progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS in
any 1 person cannot yet be predicted;
Whereas, while there is no evidence that MS is directly inherited, studies show
that there are genetic and environmental factors that give certain
individuals a higher risk of developing MS;
Whereas the exact cause of MS is unknown, and there is no cure for MS;
Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, a national network of independent MS
organizations dedicated to the enhancement of the quality of life of
individuals affected by MS, recognizes and supports Multiple Sclerosis
Awareness Week;
Whereas the mission of the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition is to increase
opportunities for cooperation and to provide greater opportunity to
leverage the effective use of resources for the benefit of the MS
community;
Whereas the United States plays a critical role in coordinating MS research
globally and amplifies the impact of research in the United States
through which results are delivered to MS patients;
Whereas, in 2012, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society was a founding member
of the International Progressive MS Alliance, which coordinates research
to accelerate the development of treatments for progressive MS by
removing international scientific and technological barriers and, as of
2018, includes 17 MS organizations from 17 countries, 9 foundation and
trust members, and 7 pharmaceutical partners;
Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition recognizes and supports Multiple
Sclerosis Awareness Week during March each year;
Whereas the goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week are--
(1) to invite people to join the movement to end MS;
(2) to encourage everyone to do something to demonstrate a commitment
to moving toward a world free of MS; and
(3) to acknowledge those who have dedicated time and talent to help
promote MS research and programs; and
Whereas, in 2018, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is recognized during the
week of March 11 through March 17: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis
Awareness Week;
(2) encourages States, localities, and the territories and
possessions of the United States to support the goals and
ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week by issuing
proclamations designating Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week;
(3) encourages media organizations--
(A) to participate in Multiple Sclerosis Awareness
Week; and
(B) to help provide education to the public about
multiple sclerosis;
(4) commends the efforts of States, localities, and the
territories and possessions of the United States to support the
goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week;
(5) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of the United
States to ending multiple sclerosis by--
(A) promoting awareness about individuals that are
affected by multiple sclerosis; and
(B) supporting multiple sclerosis research and
education programs;
(6) recognizes all individuals in the United States living
with multiple sclerosis;
(7) expresses gratitude to the family members and friends
of individuals living with multiple sclerosis, who are a source
of love and encouragement for those individuals; and
(8) salutes the health care professionals and medical
researchers who--
(A) provide assistance to individuals affected by
multiple sclerosis; and
(B) continue to work to find ways--
(i) to stop multiple sclerosis;
(ii) to restore what has been lost due to
multiple sclerosis; and
(iii) to end multiple sclerosis forever.
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