[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 435 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 435

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month, and 
                          for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 20, 2004

Mrs. Lowey (for herself, Mr. McNulty, Mr. Allen, Mr. Moran of Virginia, 
Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Meehan, and Ms. McCollum) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                          Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month, and 
                          for other purposes.

Whereas celiac disease, or gluten intolerance, is a genetic autoimmune disease 
        that affects 1 of every 133 people in the United States;
Whereas research indicates that there are approximately 2,500,000 people with 
        celiac disease in the United States, yet only approximately 80,000 of 
        those have been diagnosed;
Whereas approximately 1 in 22 first-degree relatives of people diagnosed with 
        celiac disease will also be diagnosed with celiac disease;
Whereas the average timeframe for diagnosing celiac disease in the United States 
        is 11 years from the original onset of symptoms;
Whereas celiac disease affects equal percentages of men and women;
Whereas celiac disease may have severe and varied detrimental effects on the 
        body, and the healthcare costs associated with celiac disease are 
        unknown;
Whereas people with celiac disease tend to have other autoimmune diseases as 
        well;
Whereas the only known treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a 
        gluten-free diet;
Whereas increased recognition and awareness of celiac disease will have a 
        significant positive impact on the quality of life of people with celiac 
        disease;
Whereas the National Institute of Health will convene a Consensus Development 
        Conference on Celiac Disease in June 2004 to assess the diagnosis, 
        prevalence, symptoms, long-term consequences, and management of celiac 
        disease, and to provide recommendations for future research on celiac 
        disease;
Whereas the Celiac Disease Foundation has designated May as National Celiac 
        Awareness Month; and
Whereas the Italian Celiac Association has designated May 9 as World Celiac Day, 
        and Argentina has designated May as Celiac Awareness Month: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Celiac 
        Awareness Month;
            (2) should work with health care providers and celiac 
        disease advocacy and education organizations to encourage 
        screening and early detection of celiac disease; and
            (3) should increase Federal funding for celiac disease 
        research.
                                 <all>