[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 110 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 110

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month, and 
                          for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 27, 2009

  Mrs. Lowey submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
            referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month, and 
                          for other purposes.

Whereas celiac disease, or gluten intolerance, is a genetic autoimmune disease 
        that affects 1 of every 133 people in the United States;
Whereas research indicates that there are approximately 3 million people with 
        celiac disease in the United States, yet only approximately 120,000 of 
        those have been diagnosed;
Whereas approximately 1 in 22 first-degree relatives of people diagnosed with 
        celiac disease will also be diagnosed with celiac disease;
Whereas the average time frame for diagnosing celiac disease in the United 
        States is 11 years from the original onset of symptoms;
Whereas celiac disease affects equal percentages of men and women;
Whereas celiac disease may have severe and varied detrimental effects on the 
        body, and the health care costs associated with celiac disease are 
        unknown;
Whereas people with celiac disease tend to have other autoimmune diseases as 
        well;
Whereas it is estimated at approximately 10 percent of individuals with Type I 
        Diabetes and an estimated 16 percent of individuals with Down Syndrome 
        have celiac disease;
Whereas the only known treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a 
        gluten-free diet;
Whereas it is particularly important for students with celiac disease to have 
        access to their medically prescribed diet while at school and in school-
        based activities;
Whereas the NIH Consensus Development Conference on Celiac Disease held in June 
        2004 found that consultation with a skilled dietitian and identification 
        and treatment of nutritional deficiencies were key elements in the 
        management of celiac disease;
Whereas the consensus panel on celiac disease recommended the standardization of 
        serologic tests and pathologic criteria for the diagnosis of celiac 
        disease, the adoption of a standard definition of a gluten-free diet 
        based on objective evidence such as that being developed by the American 
        Dietetic Association, and the development of an adequate testing 
        procedure to determine the amount of gluten in foods and of a definition 
        of standards for gluten-free foods in the United States to lay the 
        foundation for rational food labeling;
Whereas increased recognition and awareness of celiac disease will have a 
        significant positive impact on the quality of life of people with celiac 
        disease; and
Whereas numerous organizations recognize May as National Celiac Awareness Month: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Celiac 
        Awareness Month;
            (2) should work with health care providers and celiac 
        disease advocacy and education organizations to encourage 
        screening and early detection of celiac disease; and
            (3) should increase Federal funding for celiac disease 
        research.
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