[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 186 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.Con.Res.186
                                    Agreed to September 30, 2009        

                      One Hundred Eleventh Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
             the sixth day of January, two thousand and nine


                          Concurrent Resolution

Whereas Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder that is a 
  major health problem in the United States and worldwide;

Whereas Sickle Cell Disease causes the rapid destruction of sickle 
  cells, which results in multiple medical complications, including 
  anemia, jaundice, gallstones, strokes, and restricted blood flow, 
  damaging tissue in the liver, spleen, and kidneys, and death;

Whereas Sickle Cell Disease causes episodes of considerable pain in 
  one's arms, legs, chest, and abdomen;

Whereas Sickle Cell Disease affects an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 
  Americans;

Whereas approximately 1,000 babies are born with Sickle Cell Disease 
  each year in the United States, with the disease occurring in 
  approximately 1 in 500 newborn African-American infants, 1 in 1,000 
  newborn Hispanic-Americans, and is found in persons of Greek, 
  Italian, East Indian, Saudi Arabian, Asian, Syrian, Turkish, Cypriot, 
  Sicilian, and Caucasian origin;

Whereas more than 2,000,000 Americans have the sickle cell trait, and 1 
  in 12 African-Americans carry the trait;

Whereas there is a 1 in 4 chance that a child born to parents who both 
  have the sickle cell trait will have the disease;

Whereas the life expectancy of a person with Sickle Cell Disease is 
  severely limited, with an average life span for an adult being 45 
  years;

Whereas, though researchers have yet to identify a cure for this 
  painful disease, advances in treating the associated complications 
  have occurred;

Whereas researchers are hopeful that in less than two decades, Sickle 
  Cell Disease may join the ranks of chronic illnesses that, when 
  properly treated, do not interfere with the activity, growth, or 
  mental development of affected children;

Whereas Congress recognizes the importance of researching, preventing, 
  and treating Sickle Cell Disease by authorizing treatment centers to 
  provide medical intervention, education, and other services and by 
  permitting the Medicaid program to cover some primary and secondary 
  preventative medical strategies for children and adults with Sickle 
  Cell Disease;

Whereas the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. remains 
  the preeminent advocacy organization that serves the sickle cell 
  community by focusing its efforts on public policy, research funding, 
  patient services, public awareness, and education related to 
  developing effective treatments and a cure for Sickle Cell Disease; 
  and

Whereas the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. has 
  requested that the Congress designate September as Sickle Cell 
  Disease Awareness Month in order to educate communities across the 
  Nation about sickle cell and the need for research funding, early 
  detection methods, effective treatments, and prevention programs: 
  Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress supports the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease 
Awareness Month.
Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.