III 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 521 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 16, 2012 Mr. Rubio submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating September 2012 as National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month.

Whereas the estimated 1,275,000 individuals in the United States who live with a spinal cord injury cost society billions of dollars in health care costs and lost wages; Whereas an estimated 100,000 of those individuals are veterans who suffered the spinal cord injury while serving as members of the United States Armed Forces; Whereas accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries; Whereas motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries; Whereas 70 percent of all spinal cord injuries that occur in children under the age of 18 are a result of motor vehicle accidents; Whereas every 48 minutes a person will become paralyzed, underscoring the urgent need to develop new neu­ro­pro­tec­tion, pharmacological, and regeneration treatments to reduce, prevent, and reverse paralysis; and Whereas increased education and investment in research are key factors in improving outcomes for victims of spinal cord injuries, improving the quality of life of victims, and ultimately curing paralysis: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)designates September 2012 as Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month; (2)supports the goals and ideals of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month; (3)continues to support research to find better treatments, therapies, and a cure for paralysis; (4)supports clinical trials for new therapies that offer promise and hope to those persons living with paralysis; and (5)commends the dedication of local, regional, and national organizations, researchers, doctors, volunteers, and people across the United States that are working to improve the quality of life of people living with paralysis and their families.