IV 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

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. Nancy Erickson, Secretary.