[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 613 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 613

  Supporting the Office of Science and Technology Policy interagency 
    working group to coordinate Federal investments in neuroscience 
                               research.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 16, 2012

 Mr. Fattah submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Supporting the Office of Science and Technology Policy interagency 
    working group to coordinate Federal investments in neuroscience 
                               research.

Whereas brain development, disease, injury, and cognition affect every family in 
        the United States;
Whereas neuroscience research has the potential to dramatically improve the 
        quality of life for people facing brain disease and injury, and to 
        significantly improve our understanding of learning;
Whereas several Federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the 
        National Institutes of Health, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and 
        the Department of Defense, oversee research on the brain and nervous 
        system;
Whereas over 50,000 veterans returning from the recent wars in Iraq and 
        Afghanistan are suspected of suffering from traumatic brain injuries and 
        more than 150,000 have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress 
        Disorder;
Whereas Alzheimer's disease, stroke, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, 
        Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral 
        sclerosis (ALS) afflict more than 11 million Americans;
Whereas over seven million Americans, many of whom are currently school 
        children, have autism, developmental delays, or learning disabilities;
Whereas high-quality early childhood education returns $17 for every dollar 
        invested;
Whereas the philanthropic, research, and advocacy community, including the 
        Adelson Collaborative, the Allen Institute for Brain Science, the Peter 
        and Patricia Gruber Foundation, Steven Temares, One Mind for Research, 
        George Vradenburg, Nobel Laureate Stan Prusiner, and CEO of the American 
        Academy for the Advancement of Science Dr. Alan I. Leshner have all 
        worked to bring neuroscience to the fore;
Whereas the Alzheimer's Association, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, 
        American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, American Academy of 
        Neurology, American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 
        American Association of Multi Sensory Environments, American College of 
        Neuropsychopharmacology, American Dystonia Foundation, American Epilepsy 
        Society, American Headache Society, American Neurological Association, 
        American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, 
        American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, American Society of 
        Addiction Medicine, American Society of Neurorehabilitation, Anxiety 
        Disorders Association of America, Association of University Professors 
        of Neurology, Autism Speaks, Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research 
        Foundation, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, Childhood Brain Tumor 
        Foundation, Child Neurology Society, CADASIL Together We Have Hope, 
        Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, CHDI Foundation, Inc., Cure 
        Alzheimer's Fund, Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance, Dystonia 
        Medical Research Foundation, Hereditary Disease Foundation, and 
        Huntington's Disease Society of America, Hydrocephalus Association, 
        International Essential Tremor Foundation, International Mental Health 
        Research Foundation, International Rett Syndrome Foundation, 
        Intracranial Hypertension Research Foundation, Jacob's Cure, MdDS 
        Balance Disorder Foundation, NAMI--National Alliance for the Mentally 
        Ill, National Aphasia Association, National Association of State Head 
        Injury Administrators, National Ataxia Foundation, National Headache 
        Foundation, National Organization for Rare Disorders, National Spasmodic 
        Dysphonia Association, North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society, 
        Orange Grove Center, Inc., Parkinson's Action Network, Parkinson's 
        Disease Foundation, Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland, Professors of 
        Child Neurology, Restless Leg Syndrome Foundation, Society of Biological 
        Psychiatry, Society for Neuroscience, Spinal Muscular Atrophy 
        Foundation, Sunshine from Darkness, The Association for Frontotemporal 
        Degeneration, The Movement Disorder Society, The Myelin Project, The 
        National Endowment for Alzheimer's Research, The Sturge-Weber 
        Foundation, Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc., Tremor Action Network, 
        and WE MOVE have joined together to form the American Brain Coalition 
        and to advance the understanding of the functions of the brain, and to 
        reduce the burden of brain disorders through public advocacy;
Whereas the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus and Brain Injury Task Force have 
        brought the attention of this body to the challenges facing returning 
        veterans and the possibilities of neuroscience to improve quality of 
        life;
Whereas innovations in drug and medical technology development have the 
        potential to extend life expectancy and quality of life;
Whereas Congress encouraged the Office of Science and Technology Policy to 
        establish, through the National Science and Technology Council, an 
        interagency working group to coordinate Federal investments in 
        neuroscience research in the Consolidated and Further Continuing 
        Appropriations Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-55);
Whereas there is a potential in the near future for significant, transformative 
        advances in our fundamental understanding of learning, brain 
        development, and brain health and recovery;
Whereas such advances will require enhanced tools to better understand the 
        working of the brain, enhanced data and data infrastructure and expanded 
        interdisciplinary and large-scale research efforts;
Whereas this initiative is well served by the leadership of Dr. John P. Holdren, 
        Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and 
        Dr. Carl Wieman, the Associate Director for Science; and
Whereas this initiative would not have come into being without the bipartisan 
        support of Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, Ranking Member 
        Norm Dicks, and Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee Chairman Frank 
        Wolf: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) applauds the establishment of the Federal interagency 
        neuroscience working group;
            (2) commends President Barack Obama for the expeditious 
        appointment of Dr. Philip Rubin to lead the working group's 
        efforts;
            (3) encourages the efficient and effective use of Federal 
        research dollars; and
            (4) acknowledges the need for increased investment in the 
        neurosciences to advance scientific discovery and improve 
        Americans' quality of life.
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