[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 322 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 322

  Designating November 2002, as ``National Epilepsy Awareness Month''.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 5, 2002

 Mrs. Lincoln (for herself, Ms. Collins, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Hutchinson, 
   and Mr. Fitzgerald) submitted the following resolution; which was 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Designating November 2002, as ``National Epilepsy Awareness Month''.

Whereas epilepsy is a neurological condition affecting 2,300,000 people in the 
        United States;
Whereas a seizure is a disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain, and 
        25,000,000 Americans (1 in every 10) will have at least 1 seizure during 
        their lives;
Whereas 180,000 new cases of seizures and epilepsy are diagnosed each year, and 
        3 percent of Americans will have developed epilepsy by the time they are 
        75;
Whereas 41 percent of people who currently have epilepsy experience persistent 
        seizures despite the treatment they are receiving;
Whereas a survey sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
        shows that the burden of disease for people with epilepsy is comparable 
        to that experienced by people with cancer, diabetes, and arthritis;
Whereas epilepsy in older children and adults remains a formidable barrier to a 
        normal life, affecting education, employment, marriage, childbearing, 
        and personal fulfillment;
Whereas stigma surrounding epilepsy continues to fuel discrimination and 
        isolates people with seizure disorders from the mainstream life;
Whereas in spite of these obstacles, epileptics can live healthy and productive 
        lives and go on to make significant contributions to society;
Whereas we must ensure that funding for epilepsy research programs at the 
        National Institutes of Health, and for epilepsy programs at the Centers 
        for Disease Control and Prevention must continue to increase; and
Whereas we must ensure that people with epilepsy in underserved and unserved 
        areas of the country have access to appropriate care, and to this end it 
        is essential that the epilepsy program at the Health Resources and 
        Services Administration receive initial funding to create demonstration 
        projects to improve access to services in those communities: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates November 2002, as ``National Epilepsy 
        Awareness Month''; and
            (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling upon the people of the United States to observe the 
        month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
                                 <all>