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







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1149

   Expressing support for the designation of April 2008 as National 
   Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, and supporting efforts to devote new 
  resources to research the causes of the disease, environmental and 
 otherwise, along with treatments and workforce strategies to support 
                     individuals with sarcoidosis.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 24, 2008

  Mr. Davis of Illinois submitted the following resolution; which was 
            referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing support for the designation of April 2008 as National 
   Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, and supporting efforts to devote new 
  resources to research the causes of the disease, environmental and 
 otherwise, along with treatments and workforce strategies to support 
                     individuals with sarcoidosis.

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 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, being the chief 
        diagnosis of the deaths of fluorescent light bulb workers in 
        Salem, Massachusetts, in the 1940s;
            (3) recognizes that sarcoidosis disproportionately affects 
        factory workers, Navy deckgrinders, and was the first diagnosis 
        for an overwhelming majority of rescue workers who assisted 
        with the rescue and recovery operations after the attacks on 
        September 11, 2001;
            (4) 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
            (5) supports research efforts to better understand the 
        links between sarcoidosis and specific occupations where 
        sarcoidosis is disproportionately represented.
                                 <all>