[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 278 Introduced in House (IH)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 278

 Recognizing the contributions Lou Gehrig and his legacy have made in 
            the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 16, 2003

  Mr. Engel (for himself, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Lantos, Mr. King of New 
   York, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mr. Markey, Mr. Waxman, Mrs. Capps, Mr. 
   Greenwood, Mr. Cox, Mr. Gutknecht, Mr. Towns, Ms. Slaughter, Mrs. 
 Maloney, and Mr. Terry) submitted the following resolution; which was 
            referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the contributions Lou Gehrig and his legacy have made in 
            the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Whereas Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (hereinafter in this resolution referred 
        to as ``ALS'') is a progressive neuromuscular disease characterized by a 
        degeneration of nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord leading to the 
        wasting of muscles, paralysis, and eventual death;
Whereas approximately 30,000 individuals in the United States are afflicted with 
        ALS, with approximately 5,000 new cases each year;
Whereas the life expectancy of an individual with ALS is three to five years 
        from the time of diagnosis;
Whereas there is no known cause or cure for ALS;
Whereas aggressive treatment of the symptoms of ALS can extend the lives of 
        individuals with the disease;
Whereas recent advances in ALS research have produced promising leads related to 
        shared disease processes that appear to operate in many 
        neurodegenerative diseases;
Whereas, on June 19, 1903, New York Yankee baseball legend Henry Louis (Lou) 
        Gehrig was born in New York City;
Whereas, on June 19, 2003, The ALS Association will help America celebrate what 
        would have been Lou's 100th birthday, honoring his magnificent baseball 
        career and his unwavering courage as he faced the deadly disease that 
        would carry his name; and
Whereas The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter will celebrate Lou Gehrig's 
        100th birthday at Yankee Stadium on June 19, 2003, by honoring the life 
        and legacy of Lou Gehrig through a pre-game home plate ceremony, and 
        these activities will help bring greater awareness to the disease, 
        Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Now, therefore, be it
     Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the celebration of Lou Gehrig's 100th 
        birthday and commends the contributions he and his legacy have 
        made in the search for better treatments and a cure for ALS;
            (2) acknowledges the struggle of the thousands of 
        individuals battling ALS everyday and their courage in facing 
        this debilitating disease;
            (3) supports cutting-edge research to find a cure for ALS; 
        and
            (4) applauds the efforts of all organizations, including 
        The ALS Association, in their endeavors to raise awareness 
        about the disease, support research initiatives, and assist 
        those suffering with ALS and their families in the challenges 
        of coping with this terrible affliction.
                                 <all>