[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 974 Engrossed in House (EH)]








H. Res. 974

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                    September 25, 2006.
Whereas an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 people are affected by myositis in the 
        United States, many of whom remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed;
Whereas myositis is a general term used to describe swelling of the muscles, but 
        the effects of the inflammatory myopathies (often referred to as 
        ``myositis'') are much more severe than just inflammation;
Whereas myositis patients suffer from their immune systems attacking their 
        body's own normal, healthy tissue, resulting in inflammation or 
        swelling;
Whereas inflammatory myopathies are thought to be autoimmune diseases, such that 
        the body's immune system, which normally fights infections and viruses, 
        does not stop fighting once the infection or virus is gone;
Whereas myositis can cause muscle weakness, and patients often live in chronic 
        pain and have long-term health problems that lead to permanent 
        disability;
Whereas myositis is difficult to diagnose and treatment is often delayed, 
        resulting in unnecessary suffering;
Whereas many patients with treatable forms of myositis often have severe long-
        term disabilities because of failure to diagnose and/or treat the 
        disease correctly;
Whereas some myositis patients will die at a much earlier age than they would 
        have if they had received the proper care, particularly for the children 
        who have permanent scarring and deformities due to failure to treat 
        properly;
Whereas The Myositis Association, the national patient advocacy organization 
        serving the myositis patient community, focuses its efforts on public 
        policy, research funding, patient services, and public awareness and 
        education related to developing effective treatments and a cure for 
        myositis;
Whereas a National Myositis Awareness Day would educate communities across the 
        Nation about myositis and the need for research funding, accurate 
        diagnosis, and effective treatments; and
Whereas it would be appropriate to observe September 21, 2006, as National 
        Myositis Awareness Day: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives supports the goals and ideals 
of a National Myositis Awareness Day.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.