[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 42 Referred in House (RFH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 42


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 25, 2007

            Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, treatment, and 
    eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, supporting the 
designation of a National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week, 
                        and for other purposes.

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a serious lung disorder that causes 
        progressive, incurable lung scarring;
Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is 1 of about 200 disorders that are 
        called ``interstitial lung diseases'';
Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common form of interstitial 
        lung disease;
Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a debilitating and generally fatal 
        disease marked by progressive scarring of the lungs that causes an 
        irreversible loss of the ability of the lung tissue to transport oxygen;
Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis progresses quickly, often causing 
        disability or death within a few years;
Whereas there is no proven cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis;
Whereas more than 128,000 people in the United States have idiopathic pulmonary 
        fibrosis, and more than 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year;
Whereas there has been a 156-percent increase in mortality from idiopathic 
        pulmonary fibrosis since 2001;
Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is often misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed;
Whereas the median survival rate for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis 
        is 2 to 3 years, about \2/3\ of patients with idiopathic pulmonary 
        fibrosis die within 5 years, and approximately 40,000 patients with 
        idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis die each year; and
Whereas there is a pressing need to increase awareness and detection of this 
        misdiagnosed and under-diagnosed disorder, and of all interstitial lung 
        diseases: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes the need to pursue research into the causes, 
        treatment, and eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis;
            (2) supports the work of advocates and organizations in 
        educating, supporting, and providing hope for individuals who 
        suffer from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, including efforts to 
        organize a National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness 
        Week;
            (3) congratulates advocates and organizations for their 
        efforts to educate the public about idiopathic pulmonary 
        fibrosis while funding research to help find a cure for this 
        disorder;
            (4) supports the designation of an appropriate week as 
        National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week;
            (5) welcomes the issuance of a proclamation designating an 
        appropriate week as National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis 
        Awareness Week; and
            (6) supports the goals and ideals of a National Idiopathic 
        Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week.

            Passed the Senate July 24, 2007.

            Attest:

                                                NANCY ERICKSON,

                                                             Secretary.