[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 337 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 337

   Supporting the goals and ideals of a Lyme Disease Awareness Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 25, 2007

 Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. Stupak, Mr. Holden, and Mr. 
 Shays) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                    Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Supporting the goals and ideals of a Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

Whereas Lyme disease is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United 
        States today and is usually caused by the bite of an infected tick;
Whereas based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting 
        statistics, Lyme disease has been reported in 49 States and the District 
        of Columbia, and cases increased nationally almost three-fold from 1993, 
        in which 8257 cases were reported, to 2005, in which 23,305 cases were 
        reported, and increased 18 percent in one year from 2004 to 2005;
Whereas studies indicate that the actual number of Lyme disease cases are 
        approximately 10 times the number reported;
Whereas Lyme disease is a common but frequently misunderstood disease that, if 
        not caught early and treated properly, can cause prolonged chronic 
        illness;
Whereas Lyme disease can attack every system in the body including cardiac, 
        musculo-skeletal, and the central nervous system;
Whereas Lyme disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics if caught 
        early and treated appropriately;
Whereas Lyme disease often goes undetected because it mimics other illnesses;
Whereas the best protection against Lyme disease is to wear light-colored 
        clothing with pants tucked into socks when entering tick-infested areas, 
        to perform tick checks, and to consider the use of repellents;
Whereas the ticks that spread Lyme disease also spread other diseases, such as 
        anaplasmosis and babesiosis, clouding the diagnostic and treatment 
        picture;
Whereas a Lyme disease awareness month would provide an opportunity to focus on 
        this significant and complex disease, to provide information on and 
        raise public awareness of its causes, effects, treatments, and co-
        infections, and to underscore important education and research efforts 
        surrounding Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases; and
Whereas it would be appropriate to designate May as Lyme Disease Awareness 
        Month: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of a Lyme Disease 
        Awareness Month to raise public awareness of the causes, 
        effects, treatments, and co-infections of Lyme disease;
            (2) encourages and supports education and research efforts 
        with respect to Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases; and
            (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling upon the people of the United States to observe such a 
        month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
                                 <all>