110 HRES 337 IH: Supporting the goals and ideals of a Lyme U.S. House of Representatives 2007-04-25 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 1st Session H. RES. 337 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

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.