[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 143 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 143

      Designating May 15, 2009, as ``National MPS Awareness Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 12, 2009

Mr. Graham (for himself, Mr. Feingold, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. 
  Conrad, Mr. Burr, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Chambliss, Ms. Murkowski, and Ms. 
 Collins) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
      Designating May 15, 2009, as ``National MPS Awareness Day''.

Whereas mucopolysaccharidosis (referred to in this resolution as ``MPS'') is a 
        genetically determined lysosomal storage disease that renders the human 
        body incapable of producing certain enzymes needed to break down complex 
        carbohydrates;
Whereas complex carbohydrates are then stored in almost every cell in the body 
        and progressively cause damage to such cells;
Whereas such cell damage adversely affects the human body by damaging the heart, 
        respiratory system, bones, internal organs, and central nervous system;
Whereas the cellular damage caused by MPS often results in mental retardation, 
        short stature, corneal damage, joint stiffness, loss of mobility, speech 
        and hearing impairment, heart disease, hyperactivity, chronic 
        respiratory problems, and, most importantly, a drastically shortened 
        life span;
Whereas the nature of the disease is usually not apparent at birth;
Whereas, without treatment, the life expectancy of an individual afflicted with 
        MPS begins to decrease at a very early stage in the life of the 
        individual;
Whereas recent research developments have resulted in the creation of limited 
        treatments for some MPS diseases;
Whereas promising advancements in the pursuit of treatments for additional MPS 
        diseases are underway;
Whereas, despite the creation of newly developed remedies, the blood-brain 
        barrier continues to be a significant impediment to effectively treating 
        the brain, thereby preventing the treatment of many of the symptoms of 
        MPS;
Whereas treatments for MPS will be greatly enhanced with continued public 
        funding;
Whereas the quality of life for individuals afflicted with MPS, and the 
        treatments available to them, will be enhanced through the development 
        of early detection techniques and early intervention;
Whereas treatments and research advancements for MPS are limited by a lack of 
        awareness about MPS diseases;
Whereas the lack of awareness about MPS diseases extends to those within the 
        medical community;
Whereas the damage that is caused by MPS makes it a model for the study of many 
        other degenerative genetic diseases;
Whereas the development of effective therapies and a potential cure for MPS 
        diseases can be accomplished by increased awareness, research, data 
        collection, and information distribution;
Whereas the Senate is an institution than can raise public awareness about MPS; 
        and
Whereas the Senate is also an institution that can assist in encouraging and 
        facilitating increased public and private sector research for early 
        diagnosis and treatments of MPS diseases: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates May 15, 2009, as ``National MPS Awareness 
        Day''; and
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of ``National MPS 
        Awareness Day''.
                                 <all>