[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 299 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 299

  Recognizing fragile X as the most common inherited cause of mental 
   retardation and as a powerful research model for other disorders, 
     urging increased funding for research, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 5, 2000

  Mr. Watkins (for himself and Mr. Delahunt) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing fragile X as the most common inherited cause of mental 
   retardation and as a powerful research model for other disorders, 
     urging increased funding for research, and for other purposes.

Whereas fragile X is the most common inherited cause of mental retardation, 
        affecting people of every race, income level, and nationality;
Whereas 1 in every 260 women is a carrier of the fragile X defect;
Whereas 1 in every 3,000 children is born with the fragile X defect and 
        typically requires a lifetime of special care at a cost of over 
        $2,000,000;
Whereas fragile X frequently remains undetected because the defect was only 
        recently discovered and due to the lack of awareness about the disease, 
        even within the medical community;
Whereas the genetic defect causing fragile X has been discovered, and is easily 
        identified by testing;
Whereas inquiry into fragile X is a powerful research model for neuropsychiatric 
        disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia, pervasive developmental 
        disorders, and other forms of X-chromosome-linked mental retardation;
Whereas individuals with fragile X can provide a homogeneous research population 
        for advancing the understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders;
Whereas with concerted research efforts, a cure for fragile X may be developed;
Whereas fragile X research, both basic and applied, has been vastly underfunded 
        despite the prevalence of the disorder, the potential for the 
        development of a cure, the established benefits of available treatments 
        and intervention, and the significance that fragile X research has for 
        related disorders; and
Whereas Members of Congress are in unique positions to help raise public 
        awareness about the need for increased funding for research and early 
        diagnosis and treatment for the disorder known as fragile X: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) recognizes the devastating impact of fragile X on 
        thousands of Americans and their families;
            (2) recognizes the leadership of the National Institute of 
        Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of 
        Mental Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and 
        Prevention in research efforts to find a cure for fragile X and 
        related disorders;
            (3) calls on these and other sources of Federal and private 
        research funds to enhance and increase their efforts and 
        commitments to fragile X research; and
            (4) calls on medical schools and other health educators, 
        medical societies and associations, and Federal, State, and 
        local health care facilities to--
                    (A) learn, teach, and promote awareness of the 
                incidence, causes, symptoms, effects, and treatment of 
                fragile X; and
                    (B) support screening of newborns for fragile X to 
                permit early intervention and treatment.
                                 <all>