[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 457 Introduced in House (IH)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 457

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 27, 2006

  Mrs. Lowey 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; and
Whereas the Celiac Disease Foundation has designated May as National 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>