[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1700 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1700

  Supporting raising awareness and educating the public about Alper's 
                                disease.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 29, 2010

    Mr. King of New York (for himself, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. Lance, Mr. 
    Burgess, Mr. Castle, Mr. Marchant, Mrs. Miller of Michigan, Mr. 
   Reichert, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Markey of Massachusetts, Mr. Frank of 
   Massachusetts, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Towns, Ms. DeGette, Mr. Lewis of 
 Georgia, Mr. Bishop of New York, Ms. Clarke, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Ackerman, 
  Mr. Jones, Mr. Garrett of New Jersey, and Mr. Israel) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Supporting raising awareness and educating the public about Alper's 
                                disease.

Whereas Alper's disease is a rare, genetically determined disease of the brain 
        that causes progressive degeneration of grey matter in the cerebrum;
Whereas the first symptom is usually convulsions with symptoms developing within 
        the first 3 months to 5 years of life;
Whereas Alper's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder and both parents have 
        to be carriers of the disease;
Whereas symptoms may include seizures, developmental delay, progressive mental 
        retardation, hypotonia (low muscle tone), spasticity (stiffness of the 
        limbs), dementia, blindness, and liver conditions such as jaundice and 
        cirrhosis;
Whereas researchers believe that Alper's disease is caused by an underlying 
        metabolic defect and a number of individuals with Alper's disease have 
        mutations in the ``polymerase-gama'' gene, which results in the 
        depletion of mitochondrial DNA; and
Whereas there is currently no cure for Alper's disease: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports raising awareness and educating the public 
        about Alper's disease;
            (2) applauds the efforts of advocates and organizations 
        that encourage awareness, promote research, and provide 
        education, support, and hope to those impacted by Alper's 
        disease;
            (3) recognizes the commitment of parents, families, 
        researchers, health professionals, and others dedicated to 
        finding an effective treatment and cure for Alper's disease; 
        and
            (4) supports increased funding for research into the 
        causes, treatment, and cure for Alper's disease.
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