[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 182 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.Con.Res.182
                                              Agreed to October 17, 2007

                       One Hundred Tenth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America




          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday,
            the fourth day of January, two thousand and seven


                          Concurrent Resolution

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a serious lung disorder 
  causing progressive, incurable lung scarring;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is one of about 200 disorders 
  called interstitial lung diseases;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common form of 
  interstitial lung disease;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a debilitating and generally 
  fatal disease marked by progressive scarring of the lungs, causing an 
  irreversible loss of the lung tissue's ability to transport oxygen;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis progresses quickly, often causing 
  disability or death within a few short years;

Whereas there is no proven cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis;

Whereas more than 128,000 United States citizens have idiopathic 
  pulmonary fibrosis, and more than 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each 
  year representing a 156-percent increase in mortality since 2001;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is often misdiagnosed or under 
  diagnosed;

Whereas the median survival rate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis 
  patients is 2 to 3 years; about two-thirds of idiopathic pulmonary 
  fibrosis patients die within 5 years; and approximately 40,000 
  patients die each year; and

Whereas a need has been identified to increase awareness and detection 
  of this misdiagnosed and under diagnosed disorder as well as all 
  incarnations of pulmonary fibrosis: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
        (1) recognizes the need to pursue research into the causes, a 
    treatment, and an eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis;
        (2) supports the work of advocates and organizations in 
    educating, supporting, and providing hope for individuals who 
    suffer from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, including efforts to 
    organize a National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week;
        (3) supports the designation of an appropriate week as National 
    Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week;
        (4) welcomes the issuance of a proclamation designating a 
    National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week;
        (5) congratulates advocates and organizations for their efforts 
    to educate the public about idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, while 
    funding research to help find a cure for this disorder; and
        (6) supports the goals and ideals of National Idiopathic 
    Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week.
Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.