IV 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 481 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 1, 2011 Mr. Crenshaw (for himself, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Ross of Florida, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Moran, Mr. Holt, Mr. Latham, Mr. Tiberi, and Mr. Rangel) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week.

Whereas Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are serious, chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract; Whereas Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease, afflict approximately 1,400,000 people in the United States, 30 percent of whom are diagnosed as children; Whereas the cause of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are unknown and no medical cure exists; Whereas Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can affect anyone, at any age, and is being diagnosed with increased frequency in children; Whereas Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients are at high risk for developing colorectal cancer; Whereas a lack of awareness among health professionals and the general public may contribute to the misdiagnosis and mismanagement of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis; Whereas the annual direct cost of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in the United States is estimated to be $6,100,000,000; Whereas the goals of Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week are— (1)to invite and encourage all people in the United States to join the effort to find a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis; (2)to engage in activities aimed at raising awareness of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis among the general public and health care providers; and (3)to promote and support biomedical research needed to find better treatments and a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis; and Whereas the week of December 1, 2011, through December 7, 2011, has been designated Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the goals and ideals of Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week; (2)encourages media organizations to participate in Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week by helping to educate the general public about Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis; (3)recognizes all people in the United States living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and expresses appreciation to the family members and caregivers who support them; and (4)commends the dedication of health care professionals and biomedical researchers who care for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients and work to advance basic, genetic, and clinical research aimed at developing new treatments and a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.