[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 692 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 692

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                       October 1, 2009.
Whereas Tay-Sachs disease is a rare, genetic disorder that causes destruction of 
        nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord due to the poor functioning of 
        an enzyme called hexosaminidase A;
Whereas there is no proven treatment or cure for Tay-Sachs disease, which is 
        usually fatal in children;
Whereas the disorder was named after Warren Tay, an ophthalmologist from the 
        United Kingdom, and Bernard Sachs, a neurologist from the United States, 
        both of whom contributed to the discovery of the disease in 1881 and 
        1887, respectively;
Whereas Tay-Sachs disease often affects families with no prior history of the 
        disease;
Whereas approximately 1 in 27 Ashkenazi Jews, 1 in 30 Louisianan Cajuns, 1 in 30 
        French Canadians, 1 in 50 Irish Americans, and 1 in every 250 people are 
        carriers of Tay-Sachs disease;
Whereas approximately 1,500,000 Americans are carriers of Tay-Sachs disease;
Whereas these unaffected carriers of the disease possess the recessive gene that 
        can trigger the disease in future generations;
Whereas if both parents of a child are carriers of Tay-Sachs disease, there is a 
        1 in 4 chance that the child will develop Tay-Sachs disease;
Whereas a simple and inexpensive blood test can determine if an individual is a 
        carrier of Tay-Sachs disease, and screening for this disease should be 
        available when clinically indicated; and
Whereas heightened awareness and public-private partnerships to find a treatment 
        are effective ways to combat this horrific disease: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the goals and ideals of 
Tay-Sachs Awareness Month and supports a public-private partnership for 
education and research efforts with respect to Tay-Sachs disease.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.