[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1454 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1454

  Supporting the goals and ideals of ``Chiari Malformation Awareness 
Month'' and ``Chiari Malformation Awareness Day'' in the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 17, 2010

 Mrs. Halvorson submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
          to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Supporting the goals and ideals of ``Chiari Malformation Awareness 
Month'' and ``Chiari Malformation Awareness Day'' in the United States.

Whereas Chiari Malformations are associated with structural defects of the skull 
        base which can lead to compression on the lower parts of the brain and 
        are estimated to affect 2,000,000 people in the United States;
Whereas these changes lead to a downward protrusion of the lower part of the 
        brain into the spinal canal thereby interrupting the flow of the 
        cerebrospinal fluid (the liquid that surrounds and protects the brain 
        and spinal cord) and the motion of the spinal cord, which can cause 
        numerous symptoms;
Whereas this condition can cause a range of symptoms including headache, 
        numbness, dizziness, muscle weakness, vision problems, and potential 
        problems with balance and coordination;
Whereas Chiari Malformations are developed during fetal development, and, to 
        date, there is no preventative treatment available;
Whereas the most common treatment, once diagnosed, is an invasive surgical 
        treatment called decompression, where the top bone or top several bones 
        are removed in the neck and where the spinal fluid drains are widened to 
        alleviate the pressure on the spinal cord, performed in order to correct 
        symptoms or to help stop the progression of damage to the central 
        nervous system;
Whereas difficulty remains in determining the commonalities of Chiari 
        Malformations, due to the fact that some people remain asymptomatic in 
        adolescence, into adulthood, and can remain so their entire lives;
Whereas the long-term side effects to leaving Chiari Malformations untreated are 
        unknown, some patients that have been diagnosed for many years prior to 
        treatment can sometimes experience permanent nerve damage, or in rare 
        cases, may succumb to paralysis;
Whereas Chiari Malformations have previously been believed to occur in about 1 
        in every 1,000 births, and continues to improve through continued 
        research, frequency of detection, and diagnosis;
Whereas further research and awareness is greatly needed to properly and 
        appropriately combat this condition;
Whereas a turquoise ribbon with a zipper is generally regarded as the symbol for 
        Chiari Malformation Awareness, particularly by the Chiari Malformation 
        advocacy organization, The Chiari Center Foundation; and
Whereas ``Chiari Malformation Awareness Month'' is celebrated in the month of 
        September and ``Chiari Malformation Awareness Day'' is celebrated the 
        first Saturday in September in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the goals and 
ideals of ``Chiari Malformation Awareness Month'' and ``Chiari 
Malformation Awareness Day'' in the United States.
                                 <all>