[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 407 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 407

  Expressing the sense of the Congress that all people in the United 
  States should take an active role in the fight against Huntington's 
                    disease, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 21, 2002

    Mr. Wilson of South Carolina submitted the following concurrent 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the Congress that all people in the United 
  States should take an active role in the fight against Huntington's 
                    disease, and for other purposes.

Whereas about 30,000 people in the United States suffer from Huntington's 
        disease;
Whereas there are about 200,000 individuals in the United States who, as 
        children of a parent with Huntington's disease, have a 50 percent risk 
        of inheriting the disease;
Whereas Huntington's disease results from a genetically programmed degeneration 
        of nerve cells in certain parts of the brain;
Whereas this degeneration causes uncontrolled movements, loss of intellectual 
        faculties, and emotional disturbances;
Whereas presymptomatic testing is available for those with a family history of 
        Huntington's disease, and medication is available to help control 
        symptoms, yet there is no treatment to stop or reverse the course of the 
        disease; and
Whereas the Congress as an institution, and Members of the Congress as 
        individuals, are in unique positions to help raise public awareness 
        about the need for increased funding for research, detection, and 
        treatment of Huntington's disease and to support the fight against this 
        disease: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) all people in the United States should take an active 
        role in the fight against Huntington's disease by any means 
        available to them, including being aware of their own family 
        histories, being aware of genetic testing for the disease, and 
        advocating on behalf of families with Huntington's disease in 
        their communities and States;
            (2) the role played by national and community organizations 
        and health care providers in promoting awareness about 
        Huntington's disease should be recognized and applauded; and
            (3) the Federal Government has a responsibility to--
                    (A) raise awareness about the detection and 
                treatment of Huntington's disease; and
                    (B) increase funding for research on Huntington's 
                disease so that a cure may be found.
                                 <all>