118 HRES 1257 IH: Expressing the need for enhanced public awareness of Huntington’s Disease and support for the designation of a “National Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month”. U.S. House of Representatives 2024-05-23 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1257 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 23, 2024 Mr. Pascrell (for himself and Mr. Smith of New Jersey) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Expressing the need for enhanced public awareness of Huntington’s Disease and support for the designation of a National Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month.

Whereas Huntington’s Disease is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain; Whereas Huntington’s Disease deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities usually during their prime working years and has no cure; Whereas Huntington’s Disease is a brain disease that is passed down in families from generation to generation; Whereas every child of a parent with Huntington’s Disease has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene that causes the disease; Whereas there are approximately 41,000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 at risk of inheriting the disease; Whereas Huntington’s Disease is characterized by a triad of symptoms, including progressive motor dysfunction, behavioral disturbance, and cognitive decline; Whereas Huntington’s Disease causes deterioration in a person’s physical, mental, and emotional abilities, usually during their prime working years; Whereas most people start developing symptoms during adulthood, between the ages of 30 to 50, but Huntington’s Disease can also occur in children and young adults (known as juvenile Huntington’s Disease); Whereas the lack of public awareness is so vast that understanding the awareness level of Huntington’s Disease is crucial to provide more suggestions for public health campaigns; and Whereas the Huntington’s Disease Society of America has designated May as National Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)recognizes the life-altering impact Huntington’s Disease may have both on Americans living with the resultant disabilities and on their families; (2)recognizes the need for enhanced public awareness of Huntington’s Disease; (3)supports the designation of a National Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month; and (4)encourages the President to issue a proclamation designating such a month.