[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 262 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 262

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month 
    in April 2010 and supporting efforts to devote new resources to 
research the causes of the disease, environmental and otherwise, along 
 with treatments and workforce strategies to support individuals with 
                    sarcoidosis and their families.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 15, 2010

  Mr. Davis of Illinois (for himself, Mr. Meeks of New York, and Mr. 
   Rangel) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
            referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month 
    in April 2010 and supporting efforts to devote new resources to 
research the causes of the disease, environmental and otherwise, along 
 with treatments and workforce strategies to support individuals with 
                    sarcoidosis and their families.

Whereas sarcoidosis is a noncontiguous systemic disease of unknown origin and is 
        commonly diagnosed with the detection of inflamed, microscopic growths 
        called granulomas that grow and oftentimes affect the lungs, skin, eyes, 
        and nervous system;
Whereas sarcoidosis can affect any organ of the body and more than one organ at 
        any given time;
Whereas the inflammation of such vital organs may cause seizures, blindness, 
        disfiguring lesions, and heart failure;
Whereas many individuals stricken with sarcoidosis eventually develop a serious 
        disabling or potentially fatal condition;
Whereas sarcoidosis was once thought to be an uncommon condition, but is now 
        known to affect tens of thousands of people throughout the United 
        States;
Whereas sarcoidosis afflicts African-Americans up to eight times more frequently 
        than other races;
Whereas as many people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms, it is difficult to 
        measure how many people have the condition;
Whereas sarcoidosis is a disease that affects Americans nationwide and people 
        around the world, and yet its causes and potential treatments remain a 
        mystery;
Whereas skin-related symptoms of this chronic, multisystemic disease were first 
        recognized more than 100 years ago, but the effects of the disease on 
        other organs were not observed until the first quarter of this century;
Whereas sarcoidosis was the chief diagnosis of the death of fluorescent 
        lightbulb workers in Salem, Massachusetts, in the 1940s;
Whereas sarcoidosis was the first diagnosis for an overwhelming majority of 
        rescue workers from September 11, 2001;
Whereas sarcoidosis has been documented to be disproportionately found among 
        factory workers and Navy deck grinders;
Whereas today, researchers are still trying to learn more about the causes, 
        cures, and overall nature of sarcoidosis;
Whereas the American Lung Association, the National Sarcoidosis Society, and the 
        National Sarcoidosis Foundation actively advocated for more research to 
        better understand how environmental and occupational exposures may 
        increase the risk of sarcoidosis;
Whereas the National Sarcoidosis Society and the National Sarcoidosis Foundation 
        strive to serve those afflicted by the disease by focusing efforts on 
        public policy, research, funding, patient services, public awareness, 
        education, and finding a cure; and
Whereas April 2010 would be appropriate to designate as National Sarcoidosis 
        Awareness Month with worldwide events to increase public awareness of 
        the need to support individuals with sarcoidosis, to raise awareness of 
        the environmental and occupational issues associated with sarcoidosis, 
        and to educate medical professionals who care for individuals with 
        sarcoidosis: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Sarcoidosis 
        Awareness Month;
            (2) encourages the President to issue a proclamation in 
        support of the goals and ideals of Sarcoidosis Awareness Month; 
        and
            (3) recognizes that sarcoidosis has played a prominent yet 
        hidden role in America's workforce history, acknowledges the 
        diligent efforts of individuals and organizations who observe 
        National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month with appropriate 
        activities and events to further promote awareness of the 
        disease, and supports research efforts to better understand the 
        links between sarcoidosis and specific occupations where 
        sarcoidosis is disproportionately represented.
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