IV 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 246 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 4, 2011 Mrs. Lowey (for herself, Ms. Bordallo, Ms. McCollum, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, and Mrs. Maloney) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month, and for other purposes.

Whereas celiac disease, a genetic autoimmune disease, affects 3,000,000 people in the United States; Whereas 200,000 people have been diagnosed with celiac disease; Whereas 95 percent of people in the United States with celiac disease remain undiagnosed; Whereas the length of time for an adult to be diagnosed with celiac disease is 6 years from the onset of symptoms; Whereas delays in diagnosis of celiac disease are costing the health care system millions of dollars; Whereas failure to diagnose celiac disease can lead to the onset of other autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, and Sjögren's syndrome; Whereas 12 percent of persons with type 1 diabetes have celiac disease; Whereas individuals with Down Syndrome are at increased risk of having celiac disease; Whereas celiac disease is a serious chronic condition that affects men, women, and children; Whereas 30 percent of new diagnosed celiacs are over the age of 60; Whereas 50 percent of men diagnosed with celiac disease will have iron deficiency anemia; Whereas gluten sensitivity, a condition on the celiac spectrum, affects approximately 18,000,000 people in the United States; Whereas 10 percent of people with celiac disease suffer from an associated neurological condition such as peripheral neuropathy and ataxia; Whereas the only known treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet; Whereas the United States has no regulatory standard for the term gluten-free and no regulations governing the labeling of products as gluten-free; Whereas the lack of a standard for gluten-free foods and labeling of products poses ongoing health risks to persons with celiac disease; Whereas the 2004 NIH Consensus Development Conference on Celiac Disease found that consultation with a skilled dietitian and identification and treatment of nutritional deficiencies were key elements in the management of celiac disease; Whereas the consensus panel further recommended the standardization of serologic tests and pathologic criteria for the diagnosis of celiac disease, the adoption of a standard definition of a gluten-free diet based on objective evidence such as that being developed by the American Dietetic Association, and the development of an adequate testing procedure to determine the amount of gluten in foods and of a definition of standards for gluten-free foods in the United States to lay the foundation for rational food labeling; and Whereas National Celiac Disease Awareness Month is celebrated in May: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the goals and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month; (2)recognizes that awareness of celiac disease will have a significant positive impact on the quality of life of people with celiac disease; (3)recognizes the importance of improving diagnosis rates, through increasing education about celiac disease; and (4)supports working toward an eventual cure for celiac disease through increased research and treatment.