[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 652 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 652

 Recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, 
  and an eventual cure for rhabdomyosarcoma, supporting the goals and 
 ideals of the Claire Frick Rhabdomyosarcoma Awareness Month, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 10, 2012

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, 
  and an eventual cure for rhabdomyosarcoma, supporting the goals and 
 ideals of the Claire Frick Rhabdomyosarcoma Awareness Month, and for 
                            other purposes.

Whereas rhabdomyosarcoma is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the 
        muscle tissue, and is the most common type of sarcoma found in the soft 
        tissues of children;
Whereas rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of sarcoma, which is a cancer of the soft 
        tissue (such as muscle), connective tissue (such as tendon or 
        cartilage), and bone;
Whereas rhabdomyosarcoma usually begins in the muscles that are attached to 
        bones and assist with body movement;
Whereas there are 3 main types of rhabdomyosarcoma--embryonal (occurring in the 
        head and neck area or in the genital or urinary organs), alveolar 
        (occurring in the arms or legs, chest, abdomen, or genital or anal 
        areas), and anaplastic (rarely occurs in children);
Whereas Claire Frick was only 16 years old when she was diagnosed with stage 4 
        alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma and lost her battle with the disease on March 
        1, 2012;
Whereas Claire Frick fought alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma for 20 months, while 
        continuing to sing in her school choir, participate with speech team 
        debates, travel across the country, and maintain excellent grades which 
        placed her among the top in her class, and endured 35 rounds of 
        chemotherapy, 58 days of radiation, 70 days in the hospital, 7 
        surgeries, several MRIs, PET scans, bone scans, and bone marrow 
        biopsies;
Whereas the onset for rhabdomyosarcoma is more common in children, but adults 
        also have been diagnosed with this type of cancer, and its causes are 
        not known;
Whereas certain genetic conditions increase the risk of childhood 
        rhabdomyosarcoma, and a possible sign of the disease is a lump or 
        swelling that continues to enlarge;
Whereas rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare disease, yet accounts for several hundreds of 
        deaths each year;
Whereas the National Cancer Institute dedicates $9,387,370 in grants for 
        rhabdomyosarcoma, which is 4.8 percent of total research funds for 
        childhood cancer, $195,529,112; and
Whereas the month of December 2012 would be an appropriate time to recognize 
        Claire Frick Rhabdomyosarcoma Awareness Month in order to educate 
        communities across the Nation about rhabdomyosarcoma and the need for 
        research funding, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the need to pursue research into the causes, 
        treatment, and an eventual cure for rhabdomyosarcoma;
            (2) commends those hospitals, community clinics, 
        educational institutes, and other organizations that are--
                    (A) working to increase awareness of 
                rhabdomyosarcoma; and
                    (B) conducting research for methods to help 
                patients suffering from rhabdomyosarcoma;
            (3) supports the designation of an appropriate time to 
        recognize ``Claire Frick Rhabdomyosarcoma Awareness Month''; 
        and
            (4) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
        the month with appropriate programs and activities.
                                 <all>