110 HRES 1232 IH: Expressing support for the designation of a U.S. House of Representatives 2008-05-22 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1232 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 22, 2008 Mr. Tierney (for himself, Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Bordallo, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kucinich, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Markey, Mr. McGovern, Ms. Linda T. Sánchez of California, Ms. Schakowsky, and Mr. Scott of Virginia) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of a National Scleroderma Awareness Month.

Whereas scleroderma is a chronic, disabling autoimmune disease in which the body’s soft tissues suffer from an over-production of collagen; Whereas scleroderma can affect many parts of the body including skin, internal organs, and blood vessels; Whereas scleroderma sufferers often experience damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, and gastrointestinal system; Whereas many sufferers develop pulmonary hypertension as a result of the constriction of the blood vessels; Whereas researchers have yet to have identified a cause of scleroderma; Whereas researchers have found links between scleroderma and rheumatic disease; Whereas an estimated 300,000 Americans suffer from scleroderma, 80 percent of whom are women; Whereas the estimated total economic impact of scleroderma treatment is in excess of $1,500,000,000 annually; Whereas the morbidity cost associated with scleroderma is an estimated $819,000,000 annually; Whereas the direct cost of treatment for scleroderma is estimated to be $462,000,000 annually; Whereas there is a significant need for further research focusing on the epidemiology of scleroderma to increase understanding of the causes of the disease and treatment; Whereas designating a month as National Scleroderma Awareness Month may help educate the public about autoimmune diseases and the need for research, funding, and effective treatments; Whereas the designation of such a month would recognize the efforts of health care providers, patients, and scleroderma advocacy organization to increase awareness of scleroderma and of the need for increased Federal funding for research on scleroderma; and Whereas June 2008 would be an appropriate month to designate as National Scleroderma Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives supports the designation of a month as National Scleroderma Awareness Month.