[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 299 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 299


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 16, 2008

Received and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                                Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness 
                                 Month.

Whereas cystic fibrosis is one of the most common life-threatening genetic 
        diseases in the United States and one for which there is no known cure;
Whereas the average life expectancy of an individual with cystic fibrosis is 37 
        years--an improvement relative to the 1960s when children with cystic 
        fibrosis

              

 did not live long enough to attend elementary school, but still 
unacceptably short;

Whereas approximately 30,000 people in the United States have cystic fibrosis, 
        more than half of them children;
Whereas one of every 3,500 babies born in the United States is born with cystic 
        fibrosis;
Whereas more than 10,000,000 Americans are unknowing, symptom-free carriers of 
        the cystic fibrosis gene;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all 
        States consider newborn screening for cystic fibrosis;
Whereas the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation urges all States to implement newborn 
        screening for cystic fibrosis to facilitate early diagnosis and 
        treatment which improves health and life expectancy;
Whereas prompt, aggressive treatment of the symptoms of cystic fibrosis can 
        extend the lives of people who have the disease;
Whereas recent advances in cystic fibrosis research have produced promising 
        leads in gene, protein, and drug therapies beneficial to people who have 
        the disease;
Whereas innovative research is progressing faster and is being conducted more 
        aggressively than ever before, due, in part, to the Cystic Fibrosis 
        Foundation's establishment of a model clinical trials network;
Whereas although the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation continues to fund a research 
        pipeline for more than 30 potential therapies and funds a nationwide 
        network of care centers that extend the length and quality of life for 
        people with cystic fibrosis, lives continue to be lost to this disease 
        every day;
Whereas education of the public about cystic fibrosis, including the symptoms of 
        the disease, increases knowledge and understanding of cystic fibrosis 
        and promotes early diagnosis; and
Whereas the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will conduct activities to honor National 
        Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in May, 2008: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) honors the goals and ideals of National Cystic Fibrosis 
        Awareness Month;
            (2) promotes further public awareness and understanding of 
        cystic fibrosis;
            (3) advocates for increased support for people with cystic 
        fibrosis and their families;
            (4) encourages early diagnosis and access to high-quality 
        care for people with cystic fibrosis to improve the quality of 
        their lives; and
            (5) supports research to find a cure for cystic fibrosis by 
        fostering enhanced research programs and expanded public-
        private partnerships.

            Passed the House of Representatives July 15, 2008.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.

                               By Robert F. Reeves,

                                                          Deputy Clerk.