[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 151 Referred in House (RFH)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. J. RES. 151


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 11, 1994

       Referred in the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
Designating the week of April 10 through 16, 1994, 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 effect 500,000 Americans and 
        possibly more because the defect is often 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 severe combined immune deficiency (which is 
        fatal if 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 that test immune function;
Whereas early intervention and treatment can save lives and prevent permanent 
        damage to lungs and other organs;
Whereas many forms of treatment are available once a specific diagnosis is made;
Whereas procedures such as bone marrow transplants may result in complete cure, 
        and other treatments like monthly infusions of gamma globulin 
        dramatically reduce a patient's risk of infections and enable the 
        patient 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 of April 10 
through 16, 1994, is designated as ``Primary Immune Deficiency 
Awareness Week''. The President is authorized and requested to issue a 
proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
the week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

            Passed the Senate March 10 (legislative day, February 22), 
      1994.

            Attest:

                                             WALTER J. STEWART,

                                                             Secretary.