[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 69 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 69

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         July 22, 2009.
Whereas diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease caused by the inability of the 
        pancreas to produce insulin or to use the insulin produced in the proper 
        way;
Whereas in the case of Type I diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, formerly 
        called juvenile-onset diabetes because it tends to affect persons before 
        the age of 20, the pancreas makes almost no insulin;
Whereas in the case of Type II diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, which 
        comprises about 90 percent of all cases of diabetes, the pancreas 
        produces a reduced amount of insulin or the cells do not respond to the 
        insulin;
Whereas this year 23.6 million Americans suffer from one form or another of this 
        disease, and 5.7 million people go undiagnosed, commonly known as pre-
        diabetes;
Whereas 2.0 million or 8.2 percent of all Latino Americans aged twenty years or 
        older have diabetes, and Latino Americans are 1.5 times more likely to 
        have diabetes than non-Latino whites of similar age;
Whereas Mexican-Americans, the largest Latino subgroup in the United States, are 
        more than twice as likely to have diabetes as non-Latino whites of 
        similar age;
Whereas residents of Puerto Rico are 1.8 times more likely to have diagnosed 
        diabetes than United States non-Latino whites;
Whereas diabetes affects individuals in different ways, and as a result, 
        treatment programs will vary;
Whereas diabetes in the Latino community can result in a high prevalence of 
        complications, such as foot problems and amputations, kidney failure 
        that may lead to chronic or end stage renal disease, blindness, numbness 
        and loss of sensation in the legs, heart attacks and strokes, and 
        eventually death;
Whereas individuals suffering from diabetes can reduce their risk for 
        complications if they are educated about their disease; learn and 
        practice the skills necessary to better control their blood glucose, 
        blood pressure, and cholesterol levels; exercise; and receive regular 
        checkups;
Whereas targeted health communications to the public are vital in disseminating 
        information about diabetes and the need to live a healthy lifestyle;
Whereas the Latino Diabetes Association, a nonprofit organization devoted to 
        aggressive diabetes education, has worked tirelessly to raise funds for 
        diabetes education and to find the causes of and cure for diabetes; and
Whereas the month of July of 2009 would be an appropriate month to recognize 
        Latino Diabetes Awareness Month in order to educate Latino communities 
        across the Nation about diabetes and the need for research funding, 
        accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the need to continue research into the causes, 
        treatment, education, and an eventual cure for diabetes;
            (2) commends those hospitals, community clinics, educational 
        institutes, and other organizations that are--
                    (A) working to increase awareness of diabetes; and
                    (B) conducting research for methods to help patients and 
                families in the Latino community suffering from diabetes;
            (3) congratulates the work of the Latino Diabetes Association for 
        its great efforts to educate, support, and provide hope for individuals 
        and their families who suffer from diabetes;
            (4) supports the designation of an appropriate month to recognize 
        ``Latino Diabetes Awareness Month''; and
            (5) calls upon the people of the United States to observe the month 
        with appropriate programs and activities.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.