[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1453 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                    September 24 (legislative day, September 23), 2008.
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder that is a major 
        health problem in the United States, primarily affecting African-
        Americans;
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease causes the rapid destruction of sickle cells, which 
        results in multiple medical complications, including anemia, jaundice, 
        gallstones, strokes, and restricted blood flow, damaging tissue in the 
        liver, spleen, and kidneys, and death;
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease causes episodes of considerable pain in one's arms, 
        legs, chest, and abdomen;
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease affects over 70,000 Americans;
Whereas approximately 1,000 babies are born with Sickle Cell Disease each year 
        in the United States, with the disease occurring in approximately 1 in 
        300 newborn African-American infants;
Whereas more than 2,000,000 Americans have the sickle cell trait, and 1 in 12 
        African-Americans carry the trait;
Whereas there is a 1 in 4 chance that a child born to parents who both have the 
        sickle cell trait will have the disease;
Whereas the life expectancy of a person with Sickle Cell Disease is severely 
        limited, with an average life span for an adult being 45 years;
Whereas, though researchers have yet to identify a cure for this painful 
        disease, advances in treating the associated complications have 
        occurred;
Whereas researchers are hopeful that in less than two decades, Sickle Cell 
        Disease may join the ranks of chronic illnesses that, when properly 
        treated, do not interfere with the activity, growth, or mental 
        development of affected children;
Whereas the House of Representatives recognized the importance of researching, 
        preventing, and treating Sickle Cell Disease by authorizing treatment 
        centers to provide medical intervention, education, and other services 
        and by permitting the Medicaid program to cover some primary and 
        secondary preventative medical strategies for children and adults with 
        Sickle Cell Disease;
Whereas the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. remains the 
        preeminent advocacy organization that serves the sickle cell community 
        by focusing its efforts on public policy, research funding, patient 
        services, public awareness, and education related to developing 
        effective treatments and a cure for Sickle Cell Disease; and
Whereas the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. has requested that 
        the House of Representatives designate September as Sickle Cell Disease 
        Awareness Month in order to educate communities across the Nation about 
        sickle cell and the need for research funding, early detection methods, 
        effective treatments, and prevention programs: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the goals and ideals of 
Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.