[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 398 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                       October 1, 2002.
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 267 women is a carrier of the fragile X;
Whereas children born with fragile X typically require a lifetime of special 
        care at a cost of over $2,000,000 each;
Whereas fragile X frequently remains undetected because the defect was 
        relatively recently discovered and there is a lack of awareness about 
        the disease, even within the medical community;
Whereas the gene 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 interventions, and the significance that fragile X research has for 
        related disorders;
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 fragile X; and
Whereas throughout the United States, families and friends of individuals with 
        fragile X have designated October 5 as National Fragile X Research Day 
        to promote efforts to find a treatment and cure for fragile X: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the devastating impact of fragile X on thousands of 
        people in the United States and their families;
            (2) calls on the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for 
        Disease Control and Prevention, and other sources of Federal and private 
        research funds to enhance and increase their efforts and commitments to 
        fragile X research;
            (3) calls on medical schools and other health educators, medical 
        societies and associations, and Federal, State, and local health care 
        facilities to promote research that will lead to a treatment and cure 
        for fragile X; and
            (4) commends the goals and ideals of a National Fragile X Research 
        Day and supports interested groups in conducting appropriate ceremonies, 
        activities, and programs to demonstrate support for such a day.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.