[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1149 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                        April 30, 2008.
Whereas sarcoidosis is a noncontagious systemic disease of unknown origin and is 
        commonly diagnosed with the detection of inflamed, microscopic growths 
        called granulomas that grow and often affect the lungs, skin, eyes, and 
        nervous system;
Whereas sarcoidosis can affect any organ of the body and more than one organ at 
        any given time;
Whereas the inflammation of such vital organs may cause seizures, blindness, 
        disfiguring lesions, and heart failure;
Whereas many individuals stricken with sarcoidosis eventually develop a serious 
        disabling or potentially fatal condition;
Whereas sarcoidosis was once thought to be an uncommon condition, but is now 
        known to affect tens of thousands of people throughout the United 
        States;
Whereas sarcoidosis afflicts African-Americans up to 8 times more frequently 
        than other races;
Whereas as many people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms, it is difficult to 
        measure how many people have the condition;
Whereas sarcoidosis is a disease that affects Americans nationwide and people 
        around the world, and yet its causes and potential treatments remain a 
        mystery;
Whereas skin-related symptoms of this chronic, multisystemic disease were first 
        recognized more than 100 years ago, but the effects of the disease on 
        other organs were not observed until the first quarter of this century;
Whereas sarcoidosis was the chief diagnosis of the death of fluorescent light 
        bulb workers in Salem, Massachusetts in the 1940s;
Whereas sarcoidosis was the first diagnosis for an overwhelming majority of 
        rescue workers' health conditions on September 11, 2001;
Whereas sarcoidosis has been documented to be disproportionately found among 
        factory workers and Navy deckgrinders;
Whereas today, researchers are still trying to learn more about the causes, 
        cures, and overall nature of this affliction;
Whereas the American Lung Association has actively advocated for more research 
        to better understand how environmental and occupational exposures may 
        increase the risk of sarcoidosis;
Whereas the National Sarcoidosis Society strives to serve those afflicted by the 
        disease by focusing its efforts on public policy, research funding, 
        patient services, public awareness and education, and finding a cure; 
        and
Whereas April 2008 would be appropriate to designate as National Sarcoidosis 
        Awareness Month to increase public awareness of the need to support 
        individuals with sarcoidosis, to raise awareness of the environmental 
        and occupational issues associated with sarcoidosis, and to educate 
        medical professionals who care for individuals with sarcoidosis: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Sarcoidosis Awareness 
        Month;
            (2) recognizes that sarcoidosis has played a prominent yet hidden 
        role in America's workforce history;
            (3) acknowledges the diligent efforts of individuals and 
        organizations who observe National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month with 
        appropriate activities to further promote awareness of the disease; and
            (4) supports research efforts to better understand the links between 
        sarcoidosis and specific occupations where sarcoidosis is 
        disproportionately represented.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.