IV 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 613 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

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.