[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 83 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 83

 Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 20, 2013

 Mr. Casey (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Brown, Ms. Landrieu, and Mr. 
 Blumenthal) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
        the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.

Whereas multiple sclerosis can impact men and women of all ages, races, and 
        ethnicities;
Whereas approximately 2,100,000 individuals worldwide have been diagnosed with 
        multiple sclerosis;
Whereas multiple sclerosis is typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, 
        yet it is estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 children and 
        adolescents are living with multiple sclerosis;
Whereas multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable neurological disease that 
        interrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the 
        brain and the rest of the body;
Whereas symptoms of multiple sclerosis range from numbness and tingling to 
        blindness and paralysis and the progress, severity, and specific 
        symptoms of multiple sclerosis in any 1 individual cannot yet be 
        predicted;
Whereas there is no laboratory test available that definitely defines a 
        diagnosis for multiple sclerosis;
Whereas although multiple sclerosis is not directly inherited, studies show that 
        genetic factors can indicate that certain individuals are susceptible to 
        the disease;
Whereas the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still unknown and there is no 
        cure;
Whereas in rare cases, multiple sclerosis is so progressive that the disease is 
        fatal, but most people with multiple sclerosis have a normal or near-
        normal life expectancy;
Whereas severe multiple sclerosis can shorten the life span of an individual;
Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, an affiliation of multiple sclerosis 
        organizations dedicated to the enhancement of the quality of life for 
        all individuals affected by multiple sclerosis, recognizes and supports 
        Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week;
Whereas the mission of the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition is to increase 
        opportunities for cooperation and provide greater opportunity to 
        leverage the effective use of resources for the benefit of the multiple 
        sclerosis community;
Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition recognizes and supports Multiple 
        Sclerosis Awareness Week during March of every calendar year;
Whereas the goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week are--

    (1) to invite individuals to join the movement to end multiple 
sclerosis;

    (2) to encourage individuals to demonstrate a commitment to moving 
toward a world free of multiple sclerosis; and

    (3) to acknowledge the individuals who have dedicated time and talent 
to promote multiple sclerosis research and programs; and

Whereas this year, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is recognized during the 
        week of March 11, 2013, through March 17, 2013: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 
        Awareness Week;
            (2) encourages States, territories, possessions of the 
        United States, and localities to support the goals and ideals 
        of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week by issuing proclamations 
        designating Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week;
            (3) encourages media organizations to participate in 
        Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and help provide education to 
        the public about multiple sclerosis;
            (4) commends the efforts of the States, territories, and 
        possessions of the United States to support the goals and 
        ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week;
            (5) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of the United 
        States to ending multiple sclerosis by promoting--
                    (A) awareness about individuals that are affected 
                by multiple sclerosis; and
                    (B) education programs, supporting research, and 
                expanding access to medical treatment;
            (6) recognizes all individuals in the United States living 
        with multiple sclerosis;
            (7) expresses gratitude to the family members and friends 
        of individuals living with multiple sclerosis, who are a source 
        of love and encouragement to those individuals; and
            (8) salutes the health care professionals and medical 
        researchers who--
                    (A) provide assistance to those individuals 
                affected by multiple sclerosis; and
                    (B) continue to work to find ways to stop the 
                progression of the disease, restore nerve function, and 
                end multiple sclerosis forever.
                                 <all>